Announcing RACE: A new era of speed with Mercury Racing

Announcing RACE: A new era of speed with Mercury Racing

Flite just introduced RACE, a performance-first eFoil built in collaboration with Mercury Racing for riders who care about one thing most: speed with control. Unveiled at CES 2026, RACE is engineered for confident, competitive riders and targets top speeds up to 34 mph with a custom RACE impeller.

This announcement post breaks down what RACE is, what’s new (beyond “it’s faster”), how it fits into the broader Flite lineup, and how to choose the right battery, wings, and power setup so you get the most out of your first season—and the most performance out of every session.

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What is RACE?

RACE is Flite’s speed-and-precision eFoil built for intermediate-to-advanced riders who want competitive performance. Flite describes it as the “world’s fastest Fliteboard,” and its launch centers on a custom RACE impeller crafted with Mercury Racing to deliver higher RPMs and razor-sharp control.

Unlike wave-oriented builds popular on the coasts, RACE is explicitly optimized for flat water racing: an excellent opportunity for our Minnesota and Wisconsin riders.

What’s new in RACE

Speed is in the headline, but RACE can be presented as a system: board shape, drivetrain, wings, and even app features are designed around performance riding. Here are the key changes that Flite highlights:

  • Custom RACE impeller designed to deliver higher RPMs and speed. 
  • Elongated, narrow board profile intended to improve takeoff/touchdown response and efficiency. 
  • Re-engineered surfaces + mast interface focused on minimal drag and agility, optimized for flat water racing.
  • FLITELab surf foiling wings integrated into the setup for speed-on-demand confidence.
  • Flite App racing upgrades (leaderboards + performance telemetry like G-force and lean angle).

This is a purpose-built machine that we recommend for a slim profile of advanced riders. If you're anxious to give it a shot, book a demo for a trial run today!

How fast is RACE?

Flite’s official launch statement pegs RACE at top speeds of 34 mph with ideal conditions and rider profiles. However, the board is built for acceleration + stability at speed. It also carries control at high lean angles, a critial detail for a competitive board.

Mercury Racing’s own messaging emphasizes that the RACE impeller (their contribution to the product engineering) is about “blistering top speeds” plus “razor sharp control”. If you can make it to top speed, drop us a note with a review of your own!

Who RACE is for

RACE is designed for confident riders, competitive eFoilers and performance driven athletes, and it’s positioned as Intermediate–Advanced in Flite’s lineup. The Glyde team echos the niche rider profile and can help you determine whether it's the next step in your foiling journey.

At a glance, the RACE board may be a fit if:

  • You ride very comfortably on foil and want more performance headroom.
  • You care about speed, efficient takeoffs, and stability under load.
  • You want a platform that rewards technique (stance, trim, cornering).
  • You like competing against friends, against your own best times, or on leaderboards.

Conversely, you may want a different model first if your priority is teaching friends/family, maximizing beginner success rate, or you can achieve a similar ride feel with wing and stab swaps (which we would love to help with!)


Board design highlights: why RACE feels different

Flite’s RACE spec page calls out a “longer, narrower carbon silhouette” designed to slice through flat water for efficiency and speed, with refined rails and board edges meant to glide cleanly through the water for fast takeoffs.

Then there are the small details that matter when you start riding hard:

Integrated tail kicker for carving

RACE is anchored by an integrated tail kicker, intended to let riders push harder into turns and provide instant feedback about foot placement at the end of the board.

Re-engineered surfaces to reduce drag

"Every surface, volume, and interface has been re-engineered for speed, agility, and minimal drag,” including the mast interface: again, explicitly optimized for flat water racing rather than powered-off wave riding. For most riders, this won't be a tangible upgrade.


RACE impeller + Mercury Racing collaboration

The RACE story starts with propulsion. RACE launches with a custom RACE impeller built with Mercury Racing. Flite says it’s designed to deliver higher RPMs and help reach the platform’s top speed targets.

Mercury Racing frames the collaboration similarly: the RACE impeller is crafted to deliver “blistering top speeds” and “razor sharp control,” and can transform compatible setups into a precision racing machine.

Compatibility (important)

Important to note for existing board owners, Flite’s install guidance states the RACE impeller is compatible with Flite Jet 2 and not compatible with the original Flite Jet. 

If you’re upgrading an existing setup, compatibility is the first thing to confirm before you buy anything. If you're unsure, contact us.


Wings: why FLITELab surf-foiling wings matter in the RACE setup

In Flite’s CES launch statement, one detail stands out: RACE is the first Fliteboard to use FLITELab surf-foiling wings in the setup, specifically referencing the Flux range with three wing sizes. 

For this performance platform, wings aren’t an accessory and are critical to the drivetrain. The right wing choice can determine:

  • How quickly you get up at speed
  • How stable the board feels when you’re pushing high RPM
  • How confidently you can lean, carve, and hold lines

Keep wings top of mind as you configure your RACE board.

Batteries: Nano vs Sport vs Explore for RACE

RACE is engineered to fit every Flitecell, letting you choose between lighter handling and longer sessions. This is a key detail when comparing to the new ULTRA L3.

Flite’s RACE page specifically calls out that Flitecell Explore “maintains peak voltage under load,” driving higher RPMs and top speeds. Mercury Racing’s page adds a comparison: Explore can deliver up to 5% more top speed versus Nano under their stated conditions. 

Which Flitecell should you choose for Fliteboard RACE?

Easy answer: whatever you already use in your current setup.

  • Nano: Choose this if you want the lightest feel and the most nimble handling. Great for shorter, high-intensity sessions and riders who prioritize responsiveness.
  • Sport: Choose this if you want a balanced “default” between weight and session time
  • Explore: Choose this if you want longer sessions and maximum performance under load—especially if you care about higher RPM and chasing top speed numbers.

Speccing your Fliteboard RACE setup

Here's how the Glyde Watersports team recommends starting your evaluation:

Step 1: Confirm your riding intent

  • Flat water speed + efficiency + lap-style riding: You’re in the right place (this is Fliteboard RACE’s stated optimization).
  • Mixed cruising + sharing + teaching: Consider whether you want a second, more forgiving setup in the household.

Step 2: Choose your battery for performance vs feel

  • Maximum speed under load: Explore (Flite highlights voltage under load; Mercury references up to 5% more top speed vs Nano). 
  • Most nimble handling: Nano
  • Balanced default: Sport

Step 3: Select wings like you mean it

RACE uses FLITELab surf-foiling wings (Flux range, three sizes). Choose the size that matches your weight, speed goals, and how aggressive you want to ride. Chat with us to talk through options at any time.

Step 4: Confirm your propulsion compatibility (if upgrading)

If you’re adding RACE performance parts to an existing rig, confirm Jet 2 compatibility first.
Remember: RACE impeller is compatible with Flite Jet 2 and not the original Flite Jet. 

Can you upgrade to RACE if you already own a Fliteboard?

Yes, at least partially. The RACE impeller is sold separately as an upgrade (and comes standard with the RACE setup). It’s compatible with Flite Jet 2 hardware. Unlock a meaningful performance boost without replacing your entire board, depending on your current setup and goals.

Flite App + racing features: APEX 250, telemetry, and why it matters

Flite isn’t treating RACE as a hardware-only launch. Their CES statement says RACE-inspired upgrades are coming to the Flite App, including a new leaderboard format called APEX 250 (an out-and-back 250-meter speed/agility format). They also call out in-app metrics like G-force and lean angle. 

These new metrics make it easier for the competitive rider to:

  • Compare runs across days and conditions
  • Measure improvements in cornering and stability
  • Train specific skills instead of guessing

FAQ (featured snippet answers)

How fast is RACE?

Flite’s launch statement cites top speeds of 34 mph (55 km/h) for Fliteboard RACE, enabled by a custom RACE impeller designed for higher RPMs. 

Who is RACE for?

RACE is positioned for intermediate-to-advanced riders: confident riders and performance-driven athletes seeking ultimate speed, precision, and control.

What makes RACE different from other eFoils?

RACE combines an elongated, narrow board profile for efficiency, a custom RACE impeller crafted with Mercury Racing, FLITELab surf-foiling wings in the setup, and racing-focused app upgrades like leaderboards and telemetry.

Is the RACE impeller compatible with all Flite Jets?

No. Flite’s guidance says the RACE impeller is compatible with Flite Jet 2 and not compatible with the original Flite Jet.

Which battery is best for RACE?

If you want maximum performance under load, Flite highlights Flitecell Explore for maintaining peak voltage under load, and Mercury Racing notes up to 5% more top speed versus Nano under their stated comparison.

Next step: book a demo or get a build recommendation

If you’re interested in RACE, the smartest move is to match the build to your actual riding: your water (flat vs mixed chop), your goals (speed vs feel), and your current skill level. At every step, the Glyde Watersports team can help you evaluate. 


Want the right RACE setup the first time? Book a demo or request a free build recommendation (battery + wings + power system) based on your riding goals and local conditions.

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