Show

So which is the most likely victor? It depends on conditions.

The speedboat can reach a speed of up to 160 mph, so on a very calm day it usually outpaces the boat. But the plane, even at 80 years old, still has a lot of kick to it. Powered by a 550-horsepower engine, it can hit 150 mph — fast enough to win if the boat is facing rough seas.

“The liquid track has constantly changing conditions such as wave size and wind strength which greatly affect our speed and handling capability,” said Miss GEICO Crew Chief Gary Stray. “With a WWII airplane screaming down out of the sky and racing so close, it feels like it could land on the deck of the boat.”

The Fort Lauderdale Air Show will be held on Nov. 21 and 22 and the race will happen on both days at around 1:30 p.m., organizers said.

Headliners for the event also include four U.S. Air Force fighter-jet teams theF-22 Raptor, F-35 Lightning II, F-16Viper andA-10 Thunderbolt II.

Event organizers are also taking numerous precautions to protect against the coronavirus, including increased size of the Drop Zone Beach and Flight Line Club venues, reduced number of tickets available to each venue to ensure guests can separate from other groups and a mask requirement when walking, using the restrooms or getting food.