Thunder on the Cumberland: 5 things to know about this weekend's race

The third annual Thunder on the Cumberland powerboat race will be making a splash this weekend in Nashville. Here are five things you need to know to about the event.

What is Thunder on the Cumberland?

The race is part of the NGK F1 Series Powerboat Championship circuit. It features four kinds of boats: Formula-1, Formula-Lite, Tri-hulls, and a children’s division called J-Hydro. The boats will race a 3-mile loop on the Cumberland River between Woodland Street Bridge and Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge. Boat speeds can get up to 120 mph.

More:Chris Fairchild helped keep powerboat racing circuit together. He couldn't do the same for his body.

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When is it?

Normally a three-day event, Thunder on the Cumberland has been condensed into two days this year so as to not compete with Father’s Day and to give a more "action-packed" experience, said race organizer Tim Seebold.

Training and qualifyingwill take place Friday. The main race will be Saturday.

Spectators can enter the park at 11 a.m. on both Friday and Saturday, and racing starts at noon. The awards ceremony will be held at 5 p.m. on Saturday. Admission is free.

How to get there

There will be lane closures on First Avenue, which may turn into road closures if there are too many pedestrians. 

Event organizers recommend spectators use the ride-sharing app Lyft to get to the event, since parking is limited. Lyft is offering 10 percent off two rides; use the promo code THUNDER10.

There is no free parking at the event, but spots will be available in Lot R at Nissan Stadium for $5.

Other parking can be found on Park It Downtown.

More:'NASCAR on water' back on Cumberland River for third year

What's the cost?

It's free.

Where to watch

The John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge has a view “straight down the course,” according to Seebold. Riverfront Park is also a good location, he said. There is no viewing by boat on the Cumberland River.

No outside food or drink is allowed at the event, according to the event website; there will be beverage stations and local vendors throughout the park. Pop-up tents are prohibited, although lawn and beach chairs, as well as beach umbrellas, are allowed.

Watch the race on CBS Sports on July 11 at 6:30 and 11:30 p.m.