Indiana has long been a motorsports mecca. From the Indy 500 and Brickyard 400 to the H1 Unlimited Governor’s Cup and Michigan City Great Lakes Grand Prix, the Hoosier State has hosted some of the most iconic events on land and water for more than a century. In June 2027, it will add a new high-impact gathering to the calendar: the inaugural Wawasee Shootout on Lake Wawasee, set for Friday and Saturday, June 4-5.
Shootouts have grown in popularity as the pro-am side of powerboat racing. Unlike traditional multi-boat races, these are pure top-speed competitions run one boat at a time against the clock. Boats enter the course at 40 mph, have three-quarters of a mile to reach top speed, then must immediately decelerate back to 40 mph or below once they hit the timing mark. The format draws local go-fast boaters and professional teams alike, often accompanied by street parties, parades and community festivities that boost the local economy and support charities.
Lake Wawasee, located adjacent to Syracuse in north-central Indiana, is the state’s largest natural lake at more than 3,000 acres. Roughly halfway between Lake Erie and Lake Michigan, it draws cottage owners from Chicago, Toledo, South Bend, Fort Wayne and Indianapolis for its clear water and all-sports access. The lake has historical ties to figures like Col. Eli Lilly, who was involved in the railroad and development of the area; both the railroad and related property remain intact today.
The course will run in a straight line north of a large sandbar that serves as an ideal spectator vantage point, where hundreds of boats can anchor or raft up. Buoys will mark the course, with volunteers and law enforcement providing patrols. Driver and volunteer meetings are scheduled early each morning, and safety is the top priority. Organizers are working with the APBA on judging and scoring and are bringing in a professional offshore safety and rescue team in addition to local first responders. A crane will be on site both days to support the larger boats.
Because Lake Wawasee can turn rough quickly—boat wakes and wind can create a chop rivaling the Great Lakes—smaller boats will run on Friday while traffic is lighter, with the bigger boats continuing into Saturday. Hours on the course are 12 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. local time both days. Friday evening features a family-friendly street party where race teams and sponsors will display boats, with food, music, and other activities planned. Boaters can enter People’s Choice contests for Best Paint/Graphics, Best Rig (truck and trailer), Best Display, and more; a $50 entry fee applies, with all proceeds going to charity. Saturday concludes with an awards ceremony and cocktail party.
Event organizer Rick Lehman, a longtime local boater with more than 40 years of experience, has been building the event after securing Department of Natural Resources approval. “I’ve always wanted to put on an event on my local lake,” he said. “It’s too small for a full race, but for a shootout we only need three-quarters of a mile in a straight line.” Lehman previously helped organize local races and worked safety and rescue with the H1 Unlimited hydroplanes. He envisions the Wawasee Shootout as a smaller-scale version of the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout.
A marina on the lake is the title sponsor and will provide a private ramp, crane setup, and seawall for wet pits. Registration is $500, with no limit on the number of passes unless circumstances require it. Lehman anticipates several thousand spectators on the water—typical busy weekends already see hundreds of boats with multiple occupants—and even more for the Friday street party. Confirmed participants include offshore racers George and Micheal Stancombe in their Peppers race boat. The field is expected to mix offshore, drag-boat and even high-powered recreational craft, including at least one pontoon with twin 500Rs.
Charity is central. Proceeds are planned to support the Lake Wawasee fleet of sheriff’s patrol boats (funded by the voluntary property owners’ association), local animal shelters, and the Parkinson’s Association. The event is currently in its inaugural year, with permits, sponsors, and infrastructure in place. Organizers hope strong community and participant interest will make it an annual tradition.
Additional sponsors and volunteers are still needed for race-day duties. Registration forms, volunteer sign-ups, and updates are available at wawaseeshootout.com. Travel information is at visitkosciuskocounty.org.
With the combination of a historic motorsports setting, a scenic natural lake, professional safety standards, and a growing roster of go-fast boats, the 2027 Wawasee Shootout looks positioned to give Indiana’s powerboat scene a high-speed new tradition.