The trailblazing Watergate Bay Speed Hillclimb has attracted a packed entry list for the inaugural running of the 15/16 September motorsport event, with an impressive array of cars and drivers set to head for the North Cornwall coast.
Just hours after opening entries for the ground-breaking event, organisers were over subscribed and 90 cars on each day are set to tackle the landmark event which takes place along the B3276 coast road between Padstow and Newquay. This exciting speed event will become the first closed public-road Hillclimb to take place in England.
FIA World Rallycross ace and Monster Energy Athlete Liam Doran is a notable entry on the list. Doran, famed for his impressive grit and determination on the motorsport scene, will bring his impressive and ultra-rare Ford RS200 Pikes Peak edition to tackle the hill.
With almost 1000 brake-horse-power under his right foot, Doran is one of the favourites to take the maiden hill record.
Ginetta GT5 racer and motorsport personality Charlie Martin will also head for Watergate Bay next month but will feel as comfortable on the hill as she does on the circuits around the UK. Martin is no stranger to the sport of hillclimbing, having started her motorsport career in the category and competing in events across Europe.
Martin has been contesting the ultra-competitive single make Ginetta series but is chasing a dream to one day contest the infamous Le Mans 24 Hours. Her weekend in Cornwall will see her back behind the wheel of a BMW Mini Cooper however as she heads back to her roots.
“It may be the shortest race on my 2018 calendar, but that has no bearing on how excited I am to be competing at Watergate Bay Hillclimb for this historical race” says Martin.
“The first ever hillclimb being held on the beachfront, crucially it’s also the first event of its kind being held in the UK since legislation was passed last year allowing the MSA to run closed road motorsport.
It’s a great feeling to be one of the first competitors to tackle this picturesque course, especially as I’ll be spending the week before surfing in the area”.
Jointly organised by Truro and District Motor Club, Newquay Auto Club and Plymouth Motor Club, Watergate will mark a first for Cornwall and the UK thanks to the passing of a new law in Parliament which enables the suspension of the Road Traffic Act for motorsport events. It will be sanctioned by the Motor Sports Association (MSA) which governs the sport in the UK.
Spectators will be well catered for during the weekend with trade displays and the chance to walk around the paddock area, as well as scenic spectator areas to watch the action. The hillclimb will start from 9am on each day and entry to the event costs £10 per adult and the spectator car park can be accessed by travelling along the B3276 from Newquay towards Watergate Bay. There will also be a First Bus service from Newquay to the venue in operation.
A full entry list of participants can be found at: www.watergatebayhillclimb.co.uk/competitors
