Because tunnel boat racing is such a unique and fast-paced sport, people often ask us what exactly the Formula Light or SST-45 class is, how the boats work, and what it takes to race. Here we share answers to the most often questions we hear about SST-45 tunnel boat racing.
Formula Lights Average between 60-80 MPHÂ
Speeds vary based on a lot of different factors such as shape and size of the course, weather conditions, water conditions, boat setup, prop choice and more.
The current 1/4 mile straightaway record is 84.905 MPH set by RJ West on Sept 24, 2017
Formula Lights is a stock class and is required to run standard pump gas and not allowed to run special racing fuel. Fuel is tested after each race to ensure no modifications or additives have been used.
Most racers use Recreational Fuel (aka Rec Fuel) which is ethanol free and can be found at many gas stations.  With the Formula Lights running a 2-stroke motor, oil is pre-mixed with the gas as high as a 25:1 fuel to oil ratio. This is much higher than most of the new 2 stroke outboard motors, which typically run a 50:1 or even 100:1 fuel to oil ratio.
The Formula Lights is a stock class and run a stock, 2 cylinder OMC, Johnson or Evinrude 2-Stroke, 44.9 cubic inch fishing motor which can produce around 60 HP.
Being a stock class, no modifications can be made to the motor to improve horsepower or performance
Formula Light Tunnel Boats compete mostly at in-shore venues, such as lakes, rivers, reservoirs and quarries all over the US.
For a complete Formula Light schedule visit our Events page
SST45 – Super Stock Tunnel 45
SST-45 is a class of outboard tunnel hull racing boats, mainly seen in APBA and UIM competition.
Breakdown of what the name means:
SST – Super Stock Tunnel
45 – Refers to the engine displacement of 45 cubic inches (44.9ci or ~740 cc).
Formula Light Tunnel Boats is a great place to start as powerboat racer. It is one of the most affordable classes of Tunnel Boat Racing, and is a great steppingstone if you want to move up to the Formula 1 Tunnel Boat Class.
Liquid Revolutions has teamed up with Powerboat Nationals and is offering a Formula Light Driving Academy. During the weekend course, you will learn to drive a Formula Light race boat in a safe, enjoyable environment. At completion you’ll be one step closer to racing as a competitor.
Visit the Driving School Page for complete details
In the 1980’s Formula Light boats were made almost completely from a special type of marine plywood called Okoume.
Most of the formula lights boats you see running today, are from the early 2000’s.  They are a mix of Composites, like Carbon Fiber or Kevlar in the drivers area (safety cell), and wood for the rest of the boat.
Today, with the goal to improve driver safety, yet make a lighter hull, Liquid Revolutions boats are made 100% from composites such as fiberglass and carbon fiber and contain no wood.
Formula Light drivers can start at 16 years old.
American Power Boat Association (APBA) has a few Junior classes, like Junior Hydro and Junior Runabout, that drivers can start at 9 years old.
If there is a crash during a race, a red flag is thrown and the race is stopped. This allows the highly trained rescue team to respond immediately. Drivers are required to shut down their engines and stay in place giving rescue crews clear access and wait for instructions from race officials. Instructions typically include restart lineup order and if it’s a dock or rolling restart
The short answer is nothing.
Different promoters call the class different things in an effort to relate better to different types of motorsports racing. The official ABPA class name is SST-45, however over the past few years you are seeing most promoters have adopted the name of Formula Lights .
All boats are required to have an air supply system on board, which is checked during safety/tech inspection at each event.
Most drivers use some form of a scuba system which allows them to be able to breath while being underwater.Â
Think of it like an oval racetrack on water where multiple boats compete at the same time.
The size and shape of a course varies based on the water body location and conditions. The course is marked by floating buoys which define the turns and boundaries. Boats complete several laps, usually making left hand turns only. The first boat to finish the set number of laps or time wins, making it fast, close, head-to-head racing.
The SS45 racing outboard powerheads were manufactured by OMC under the Johnson and Evinrude brands during the early 1990s.
Today, many racers build these motors using any OMC, Johnson, or Evinrude 44.9 cu in 2‑cylinder 2‑stroke fishing motor block. Common outboard horsepower ratings for this block include:
To make these powerheads legal for SST45 racing, racers typically make minor adjustments and install required parts, but the overall block and engine configuration remain stock to ensures compliance with technical specifications and rules
Replacement parts for these outboard powerheads are available, making it easier to maintain and build SST45 powerheads for racing.
There are 3 different ways a boat race can start and is dependent on the race site set up or location.
Dock or Beach Start (aka Modified Le Mans Start)
This is the most common type of start where drivers line up on a dock or a beach, in their boats, with motors off. When the green flag drops, drivers start their motors and race to the first turn.
Rolling Start
Most commonly used for race restarts or at sites without a dock or beach setup. Boats line up two by two and follow a pace boat around the course. When the pace boat pulls off the course, drivers watch for the green flag to start or resume the race.
Clock Start
Rarely used in tunnel boat racing, but common in other forms of boat racing. Boats enter the course and mill behind the start line while a large clock counts down (usually 1 minute). Drivers time their run up so they cross the line at full throttle when the clock reaches 00:00. Crossing early results in a penalty or disqualification.
In most cases the driver owns and works on their boat.
