Big crowds are expected to flock to the banks of the river for the opening round of the Australian Formula Powerboat Grand Prix, with racing both tomorrow and Sunday.

This is different to past powerboat events when Saturday has been devoted to practice with races on Sunday.

This year's schedule will make for much more entertaining viewing for spectators over the two days while events have also been planned for both evenings.

Organisers have been pleased with the level of entries, meaning the F1s and F2s will not be combined as has occurred in past years.

Other classes to race include juniors, F3s and monos.

Action at the riverbank will kick into gear from 7am tomorrow when competitors, crew and officials enter the pit area, with scrutineering from 7.30am.

Following a driver briefing, the Formula Futures will open the racing from about 9am.

The first practice sessions for F1, F2000 and F3 will be followed by the first event for monos from 11am.

The second practice session and lunch break will be followed by a busy afternoon of racing.

This starts at 12.30pm with the second events for the Formula Futures and monos, while Formula 3s open their racing at 1.30pm, Formula 2000 from 2.15pm and the F1s from 3pm.

That evening participants will get behind the Andrew Page cystic fibrosis charity auction at the Airport Hotel from 7pm.

Participants will converge on the river bank from 8am Sunday with the first race, for Formula Futures, from 9am.

The monos race from 11am, followed by F3, F2000 and F1 before lunch.

The final round of races kicks off at 1pm with each class hitting the water one more time, the F1s providing the finale from 3.45pm.

A presentation will be held from 5.30pm with a celebration for participants at the Airport Hotel from 7.30pm.