LAKE OF THE OZARKS, Mo. — Lake Race organizers are planning to bring the event back to Lake's 0 Mile Marker and the Bagnell Dam Strip, the City of Lake Ozark announced on Thursday.

The Offshore Powerboat Association is planning the race for June 3-5, and Lake Ozark Mayor Gerry Murawski says it will return to the location where it was held for six years, before moving to Camden on the Lake.

From 2007 to 2009, the race then known as the OSS Super Series World Championship was held between the 5 and 9 Mile Markers in front of Toad Cove. In 2013, after a three-year hiatus, the rebranded Lake Race launched, reinvigorating the racing scene and moving it to Bagnell Dam between the 0 and 4 Mile Markers, where it remained until 2019. That year, with the closure of the host location and only main dock access on the Strip, Beavers at the Dam, the race moved back to the 5–9 Mile Markers, at Toad Cove and Camden on the Lake.

"One thing for sure, the race will be returning to Lake Ozark after a two-year absence," the city said in a press release on Thursday.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol's regatta permit listing does not currently show a Lake of the Ozarks race in June, though it's not too late for them to apply; Murawski noted his impression was the Patrol had preferred the race at the Dam rather than at the 5–9 Mile Markers, since it does not affect boating thru-traffic.

Beaver’s has been sold and is expected to reopen this spring as a new restaurant. In addition, the city says a local racing enthusiast and marine owner fronted funds to bring the OPA race here.

However, parking and transportation issues have historically plagued special events along the Strip such as Meet and Greets, car shows, parades, and Hot Summer Nights. A lack of public parking has been a concern among business owners for several years as more events have attracted more people.

No Special Event Application has been received by the City of Lake Ozark yet, but Mayor Gerry Murawski reported to the board of aldermen this week that a Lake Ozark restaurant owner has stepped forward with plans to help alleviate some of the problem during the boat race and give residents and visitors easier access to locations on The Strip. Two 14-person golf carts will shuttle people back and forth from near Christ the King Lutheran Church to Bagnell Dam.

Mayor Murawski also reported that the multi-passenger bus known as "The Strip Express" will be coming back for the boat race – and possibly other events on The Strip. At least for the race, the bus will transport passengers from The Strip area to lodging facilities in Lake Ozark and Osage Beach.

"We will be the only city at the lake to have a transportation system, although it’s unique," the mayor said.

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