The fifth running of the Watergate Bay Sprint near Newquay once again brought motorsport into the heart of Cornwall as the action-packed closed-road speed event witnessed a thrilling two days of racing last weekend [16/17 September].
Around one hundred cars and competitors descended on the region from across the UK to tackle the 850-metre course which used the B3276 coast road between Newquay and Padstow.
Organised by a partnership between Truro and District Motor Club, Newquay Auto Club, Plymouth Motor Club and Camel Vale Motor Club, the flagship event provided thousands of spectators who flocked to the venue with an exciting weekend of thrills, spills, and fast-paced motor racing with the spectacular backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean.
After starting life as a Hillclimb in 2018, it transitioned into a Sprint format in 2021 and continues to be one of only a handful of closed-road speed events in the UK. Its unique format attracts some of the fastest drivers in the country to the challenging course, all eager to beat the class records or secure the coveted Fastest Time of the Day award.
A huge array of machinery from standard road cars to classic racers and the Ralli 22 Group B rally cars from the past entertained a bumper crowd of spectators who flocked to the venue over the weekend, enjoying an impressive view of the course, range of displays, trade stands and access to the drivers and cars in the paddock.
The fight for the quickest time of the opening day would see the honour head to South Wales as Mike Rudge stormed to a time of 26.15 seconds during his second run in what was perfect conditions. The Force SR8 driver was uncatchable in the dry, although his final attempt of the day would see him spin off the track, but his previous run was enough to take the trophy.
With the weather closing in on Sunday, it offered the chance for the tin-top machinery to bid for the accolade, and the second day would see the highly regarded speed event break new ground.
Watergate Bay Sprint introduced several new initiatives for 2023, which saw the introduction of a new all-electric vehicle class, one of only a handful of events to do so since their inclusion in active motorsport in the UK.
And that move would prove fruitful, as Sunday’s fastest time of 28.40 seconds would come from John Chambers in his Tesla Model 3 Performance, an all-electric vehicle, the first time the event’s top honour would go to an EV. It’s also understood to be the first time an electric vehicle would take that honour on a closed-road Sprint event in the country.
Once again, local charities will benefit from the weekend, with profits being donated to the vital work of Cornwall Air Ambulance. Since 2018, Watergate Bay Motorsport has secured over £30,000 to worthy causes and organisers will announce this year’s addition to that total shortly.
“Once again Watergate Bay Sprint has continued to push the boundaries of what can be done in motorsport and we are delighted to have run yet another successful weekend of sport for Cornwall and in fact, the UK” said Event Director Dave Brenton.
“Putting on an event like this is a mammoth undertaking but it makes it all worthwhile when you see the crowds watching the action out on track and enjoying getting up close to a fantastic array of cars. There really isn’t another event quite like Watergate Bay Sprint and the feedback we have had has been extremely positive.
“Introducing a range of new environmentally positive measures has been an important part of the event’s development so seeing an electric vehicle take the fastest time of the day on Sunday is a true testament to the hard work of the team to enable them to compete. We have had support from many people including the sport’s governing body Motorsport UK and its Chairman, David Richards CBE, and it’s an exciting time for the next generation of motorsport vehicles”.
“I’d also like to extend our thanks to all the sponsors, local supporters and backers that have made the event possible once again and we are already looking at how to make 2024 bigger and better than ever.”
Images courtesy of Doom Media
One of the most eagerly anticipated British-built supercars, the Nichols Cars N1A will take pride of place on the Rally Prep stand at this weekend’s Watergate Bay Sprint [16/17 September], offering one of the first opportunities for private viewings since its launch this summer.
The Can-Am-inspired supercar pays homage to one of the most iconic racing cars of all time: the original McLaren M1A thanks to co-founder Steve Nichols’ connection with the iconic brand. He was lead designer at McLaren during the late 80s and was responsible for the design of the MP4/3 which carried Alain Prost to three victories and led the team to finish second in that year’s Constructors’ Championship behind Williams.
The following year Nichols came up with the MP4/4. In the hands of the late Ayrton Senna and Prost, the car set new records with an incredible 15 out of 16 race victories, including 11 firsts and second finishes, taking Senna to his first World Championship.
The racing pedigree of the N1A is apparent across every meticulous inch of the impressive design which not only gives a nod to the rich motorsport heritage of Steve Nichols’ past but also takes inspiration from the latest generation of modern-day materials and engineering.
Underneath its Formula One-grade, graphene-infused carbon fibre body, sits a 7.0-litre all-alloy V8, which has been developed and upgraded by Nichols Cars offering a total power output of 650 bhp through the rear wheels and it weighs in at just 900 kg. A six-speed manual gearbox is the perfect accompaniment, as is the hand-fabricated independent front and rear suspension with double wishbones and anti-roll bars as standard.
Inside, the cockpit reflects the stripped-back approach of a racing car, highlighting the dashboard with dials that hark back to the golden era of motor racing, whilst premium-grade materials and fabrics ensure a luxurious feel. Featuring an Ayrton Senna-inspired gear knob, the N1A’s fully reclined seating position is like that of the MP4/4, giving drivers a chance to experience exactly what Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost saw.
The first 15 cars will be an individually numbered series, each one celebrating a specific victory of Steve Nichols’ McLaren MP4/4 Formula One car.
This awe-inspiring machine will be available to view via appointment throughout the weekend at the ground-breaking Watergate Bay Sprint, which sees over 100 vehicles each day tackle the closed-road course along the Cornish coast near Newquay.
To book an exclusive appointment to view, please email: john.minett@nichols-cars.com
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Nichols Cars Media contacts and information:
Website: www.nichols-cars.com/then1a
Social media: Instagram | Twitter
Media enquiries: Hannah Burgess
+44 (0) 7730 570975
Media assets and press pack: www.tinyurl.com/NicholsCarsN1A
About Nichols Cars:
Nichols Cars was founded in 2017 with the goal of creating a car of extraordinary performance and presence, with eponymous founder Steve Nichols and CEO John Minett going back to the very first McLaren for inspiration. Inspired by the M1A, 60 years since it first appeared, Nichols Cars focuses on combining classic lines with modern engineering to create the very best driving experience possible without any aesthetic compromise.
Together with incredibly talented individuals from all corners of the automotive industry and relying on the expertise of the countless professionals encountered over the years, the N1A is Nichols Cars’ first product, with production expected to begin in the last quarter.
For more information on Rally Prep: www.rallyprep.co.uk
More information on Watergate Bay Sprint:
Road closure times are 06:00 to 18:00 on the 16th and 17th September.
Click HERE for a Diversion Map/Route.
https://www.watergatebaymotorsport.co.uk/
You can catch up with all the latest news from the event on its social media feeds.
http://www.twitter.com/watergatemsport
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The sensational Watergate Bay Sprint, near Newquay in Cornwall takes place for the fifth time this weekend [16/17 September] and promises to be the best ever edition of the popular motorsport event.
Regarded as one of the “must see” motorsport events in the country, Watergate Bay Sprint will once again welcome around 100 cars and drivers from across the country to the hillside above the beach resort, to tackle the closed-road circuit and compete for class awards or the coveted Fastest Time of the Day.
Running as a Hillclimb in 2018 and starting from Watergate Bay itself, the event was the first closed-road motorsport speed event to take advantage of the passing of parliamentary law in England, which enabled roads to close for competitive motorsport.
It would then switch to a Sprint in 2021, starting on the Newquay side of the B3276 at Trevelgue with cars tackling the road towards Watergate Bay offering a fast and flowing section mixed with a technical element that includes a tight ‘90-left’ turn before powering towards the finish, which continues once again in 2023.
In a bid to drive continuous improvement, the organisers, consisting of a partnership between Truro and District Motor Club, Plymouth Motor Club, Newquay Auto Club and Camel Vale Motor Club have introduced several new initiatives for the fifth anniversary to keep fans entertained and to ensure the longevity of the event.
Continuing to innovate its offering, the Sprint will be one of only a handful of motorsport events in the country to allow Electrified Vehicles to compete. Whilst EVs are popular on our roads, their use in motorsport is minimal but the new category has seen four vehicles entered to see the boundaries broken for this exciting class.
This goes hand in hand with the introduction of a series of environmentally positive measures for this year’s Sprint, as does a new partnership with Carbon Offset Cornwall which will ensure around 50 trees are planted in the county, helping with woodland biodiversity, and habitats, with those trees helping to absorb the carbon created from the running of the event.
Also new for 2023, is the appearance of the Ralli 22 Club which will bring an exciting range of rally cars from the past, including the Group B, Group A, and classic era. Conducting demo runs throughout the weekend; the thrilling machinery will certainly be a fan favourite as they blast along the track or at close quarters in the paddock.
An impressive entry list of around 100 cars each day boasts everything from standard road cars to full-blown race cars with crowds flocking to the venue last September and organisers have once again ensured a superb viewing location, with access to the paddock included to enable fans to get up close to the cars and drivers.
Once again, local charities will benefit from the weekend’s activities, as profits will be donated to the Cornwall Air Ambulance with £30,000 already raised for good causes since the inaugural event in 2018.
A substantial trade display area offers plenty to see and do during the weekend discounted advanced tickets are available until Thursday 14th September at midnight. They cost £10 per day for adults saving up to £4 on the weekend gate price with those under fourteen going free. Tickets will still be available at the gate.
To purchase advanced tickets and find out more, click: HERE
The action will start from 9.00 am on each day and the spectator car park must be accessed by travelling along the B3276 from the Newquay Airport side – Watergate Bay. Car parking is available at a discounted rate of just £3.50 per day [cash only].
More information:
Road closure times are 06:00 to 18:00 on the 16th and 17th September.
Click HERE for a Diversion Map/Route.
The Watergate Bay Sprint will partner with Carbon Offset Cornwall ahead of the fifth running of the closed-road motorsport event [16/17 September] as part of a roadmap to reduce the environmental impact of the event.
Having already introduced a series of dedicated environmentally positive measures for this year’s Sprint, event organisers have now joined forces with Carbon Offset Cornwall which will ensure around 50 trees are planted in the county, helping with woodland biodiversity, and habitats, with those trees helping to absorb the carbon created from the running of the event.
The ground-breaking event was the first closed-road motorsport speed event to take place in England back in 2018 and now sees over 100 drivers and cars each day tackle the 850-metre course near Watergate Bay.
But event organisers are very conscious of their responsibility to reduce the event’s carbon footprint and environmental impact and have looked at measures to speed up the journey towards a sustainable future.
Whilst these steps may seem trivial, the importance of recognising these measures is significant and can provide the building blocks in the journey towards a net-zero sport.
For the first time, organisers have introduced a dedicated Electric Vehicle class to the weekend, offering fully electric vehicles the opportunity to compete toe-to-toe with like-minded racers and will battle for class honours in the process. Whilst `EVs` are quickly becoming a common fixture on our roads, their use in motorsports and competition is largely lowkey outside of the global arena, so their introduction to Watergate Bay Sprint has been applauded by the sport’s governing body, Motorsport UK.
There has also been a ban on single-use plastic tyre wraps [used to protect tyres from dirt] for the weekend, ensuring that unnecessary plastic use is avoided. Recycling bins have been introduced in the paddock to ensure that they are separated from general waste.
Spectators are also invited to attend on foot or bicycle too, with the coastal path from Newquay to Watergate Bay fully open and having access to the spectator entrance over the course of the weekend. A fan survey will also gather data on the attendance of spectators, further building a better picture of the impact on the environment.
Event Director Dave Brenton is pleased to progress the commitment to reducing the carbon footprint of the popular event.
“Watergate Bay Sprint is delighted to partner with Carbon Offset Cornwall this year and this is just the start of our journey to mitigate the environmental impact of the event” he says.
“We realise there is much more to do but being able to plant 50 trees in the county will, over time, be able to absorb a significant amount of carbon as they grow and that’s an important first step.”
“To put this in perspective, some football matches see over 50,000 people attend a two-hour game so the movement of fans to one match far outweighs an event like Watergate Bay Sprint. But that’s no reason to ignore it and in addition to our other measures, starts us off on this vital journey for the event and motorsport.”
Richard Brown of Carbon Offset Cornwall said, “We’re thrilled to share some amazing initiatives that are taking root in our local community, At Carbon Offset Cornwall, we’re all about making a positive impact on the environment. That’s why we’re excited to announce our partnership with the Watergate Bay Sprint.”
“Our mission is simple yet powerful: we’re transforming otherwise unproductive private farmland and estates into lush havens for young trees. These areas provide a safe haven for the trees to thrive during their crucial early stages of growth, ensuring they’re set up for long and healthy lives.”
“We’re also proud to have recently participated in the Silverstone and Masters Classic events. The thrill of motorsports is something we all love, and we’re excited to bring that enthusiasm to our environmental initiatives. “
“We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to partner with the Watergate Bay Sprint and contribute to the local environment in a small yet meaningful way. By planting trees and embracing nature-positive planting, we’re setting an example that we hope other local events will follow. After all, caring for our planet is a collective effort that brings us all together.”
“So, let’s drive positive change in our community! Stay tuned for more updates on our journey as we continue to make a difference, one tree at a time.”
For more information on Watergate Bay Sprint, please visit:
www.watergatebaymotorsport.co.uk
You can catch up with all the latest news from the event on its social media feeds
For more information on Carbon Offset Cornwall, please visit:
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The exciting Watergate Bay Sprint will continue its innovation of the popular closed-road event, by introducing a new category specifically for Electric Vehicles for the fifth anniversary, this 16/17 September, near Newquay in Cornwall.
The ground-breaking event was the first closed-road motorsport speed event to take place in England back in 2018 with the inaugural running of the Hillclimb from Watergate Bay itself. The weekend would then switch to a `Sprint` format in 2021, starting on the Newquay side of the B3276 at Trevelgue, tackling the 850-metre course back towards the Watergate beach resort.
Considered one of the highlights of the UK motorsport speed calendar, organisers of the prestigious event Watergate Bay Motorsport, have continued to innovate their offering and will now introduce a new class, specifically for Electrified Vehicles.
Whilst `EVs` are quickly becoming a common fixture on our roads, their use in motorsports and competition is largely lowkey outside of the global Formula E and Extreme E series.
But with most automotive manufacturers now offering a dynamic range of electric vehicles and with EV technology developing at a rapid rate, their use in competition has seen a large increase over the past few years and Watergate Bay Sprint is set to embrace their presence with a dedicated class for the 2023 event.
Dave Brenton, Deputy Event Director is delighted to be able to continue planning for this year’s event.
“We are very excited by the prospect of welcoming electric vehicles to this year’s Watergate Bay Sprint,” he says.
“There are still only a handful of events across the UK which cater for EVs but we fully recognise their place in both day-to-day transport and competition as well. Introducing a dedicated category enables those with anything from a Tesla to a Nissan Leaf the chance to compete in a Standard Cars class and enjoy the event toe-to-toe with our other competitors.”
“The introduction of electric vehicles also goes hand in hand with our Carbon contribution programme which will look at reducing the environmental impact of the event and we are working hard to finalise the project in the near future.”
Motorsport UK, the sport’s governing body is fully behind the introduction of EVs to the Sprint.
David Richards, Chair of Motorsport UK, commented: “At Motorsport UK we are very conscious of our responsibility to reduce the sport’s carbon footprint and our environmental impact and encourage all our clubs to look at ways in which we can achieve this objective. To ensure a sustainable future for the motorsport community, we need to adopt a variety of new technologies from sustainable fuels to electric vehicles and demonstrate them at our leading events. I congratulate Watergate Bay Sprint, a wonderful showcase of motorsport, for introducing electric vehicles into the 2023 event, embodying our vision and journey towards a net-zero sport.”
As in previous years, Watergate Bay Sprint will also continue to donate profits to local charities. From its inception, Watergate Bay Motorsport has ensured charities like the Cornwall Air Ambulance have benefited from over £30,000 since 2018.
For more information on Watergate Bay Sprint, please visit:
www.watergatebaymotorsport.co.uk
You can catch up with all the latest news from the event on its social media feeds
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The ground-breaking Watergate Bay Sprint is all set to wow thousands of motorsport fans with a thrilling weekend of action this September [16/17], as the popular closed-road event has been given the all-clear to go ahead as planned.
Held near Watergate Bay in Cornwall, Watergate Bay Sprint uses the B3276 coast road between Newquay and Padstow, with competitors from across the UK heading to the region to contest the prestigious timed race, which was the first speed event to take advantage of a Parliamentary law enabling roads to be closed for motorsport use in England.
After the inaugural running as a `Hillclimb` in 2018 and starting from Watergate Bay itself, the event switched to a `Sprint` in 2021, starting on the Newquay side of the B3276 at Trevelgue. Considered one of the highlights of the motorsport calendar, cars will tackle the road towards Watergate Bay, with a fast and flowing section mixed with a technical element that includes a tight ‘90-left’ turn before powering towards the finish. The event attracted around 120 competitors each day in 2022.
Authorised by the sport’s governing body Motorsport UK, organisers have been issued the permit authorising the event to go ahead following a renewed consultation with both local residents, parish and town councils.
Whilst many were supportive of the event, some concerns were raised over the diversion route and disruption to the road infrastructure during the weekend, as well as the environmental impact of a motorsport event of this size taking place in Cornwall.
Parish and Town Councils surrounding the area put forward their commentary, and the event launched a Public Consultation, inviting locals to air their views in an online survey and attend a public forum evening at Mawgan Porth Village Hall. The findings of both were submitted to Cornwall Council Streetworks department which subsequently authorised the event, enabling Motorsport UK to grant the necessary Permit.
Dave Brenton, Deputy Event Director is delighted to be able to continue planning for this year’s event.
“I and the entire organising team are very happy to have received the permit from Motorsport UK and I’d like to extend my thanks to every member of the local community who reached out to us over the consultation period,” he said.
“The event does cause a level of travel disruption to local residents over the weekend and going forward we are committed to better communication, timely information and diversion route management to give them plenty of prior warning of the event.”
“For some time, we have been looking at various Carbon Offset programmes, as we certainly appreciate the impact that any motorsport has on our environment. But with proper management and willingness to invest in a programme, we hope to ensure Watergate Bay Sprint doesn’t leave its mark in any way.”
Watergate Bay Sprint will also continue to donate profits to local charities. From its inception, Watergate Bay Motorsport has ensured charities like the Cornwall Air Ambulance have benefited from over £30,000 since 2018.
You are invited to our Public Consultation Meeting to discuss our Motorsports Event taking place on 16th / 17th September 2023
The meeting will take place in Mawgan Porth Village Hall on Sunday 5th March 2023.
Doors will open at 7:00pm.
Doors will close at 8:30pm
Please come and meet the organising team and find out more about our event. We would also like to hear about any concerns or questions that you may have about our event.
The impressive collection of Ralli22 will head for Watergate Bay Sprint in 2023, offering motorsport fans an exciting glimpse into the iconic rally cars of the past.
The popular group of car owners and drivers, will bolster the weekend with a stellar line up of rally cars, from the flame spitting Group B era, as well as the Group A and WRC period. Ralli 22 is a collection of historic rally cars, whose owners offer their cars for competition and demonstration purposes at selected events.
Cars in the collection include the MG Metro 6R4, Audi Quattro S2, Lancia 037, Subaru Impreza WRC and many more. Further details of cars in attendance during the weekend will be announced nearer the event.
*Update – the Local Consultation period has ended. We would like to thank everyone for taking the time to respond to the survey and for those who attended our Public Consultation Meeting at Mawgan Porth Village Hall*
We are currently making arrangements for the 2023 Watergate Bay Sprint and would like to take this opportunity to understand what impact, if any, this event has on you and the local community.
This will be the 5th year running this event, having started in 2018, although the event was not held in 2020 due to the CoronaVirus.
One of the main objectives of the event has always been to raise funds for the Cornwall Air Ambulance. To date, we have raised over £30,000 for the Air Ambulance and local good causes.
In order that we can take into account any concerns, issues or comments that you may have about the event as part of our application to the Council, we invite you to take a few minutes to complete this short survey.
You are also invited to our Public Consultation Meeting which will take place in Mawgan Porth Village Hall on Sunday 5th March 2023.
Doors will open at 7:00pm.
Doors will close at 8:30pm
Please come and meet the organising team and find out more about our event. We would also like to hear about any concerns or questions that you may have about our event.
To take part, please fill out the below form:
Last weekend’s thrilling Watergate Bay Sprint near Newquay has been hailed as the “biggest and best yet” as car enthusiasts and motorsport fans from across the region and beyond enjoyed an action-packed motorsport extravaganza on the North Cornwall coast [17/18 September].
From its origins as a Hillclimb in 2018, the unique closed-road event has grown in stature year-on-year and ran for the second time as a Sprint on Saturday and Sunday, with over 100 competitors each day tackling the 900-metre course which wound its way along the B3276 coast road between Newquay and Padstow.
Organised by a partnership between Devon and Cornwall motor clubs, Truro and District Motor Club, Newquay Auto Club, Plymouth Motor Club and Camel Vale Motor Club, the flagship event in South West Motorsport Month provided thousands of spectators who flocked to the venue with an exciting weekend of thrills, spill and fast-paced motor racing with the spectacular backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean watching over drivers and fans.
An extension of 80 metres from last year’s offering brought an additional twist for drivers and would once again start near Trevelgue, heading for Watergate Bay. A fast and flowing yet technical course would present a spectacular challenge for competitors from across the UK, who descended on the event to set their best time and bid for the class-based honours or the coveted time of the day.
From standard road cars with basic safety features to full-blowing racing cars, 110 cars and drivers each day battled it out in everything from an ex-Petter Solberg World Rally Championship Subaru Impreza WRC, to a Series 1 classic Morgan. Each entertaining a bumper crowd of spectators who flocked to the venue over the weekend, enjoying an impressive view of the course, range of displays, trade stands and access to the drivers and cars in the paddock.
The fight for the coveted Fastest Time of the Day Award would see Mevagissey’s Andy Williams secure the accolade on both days, hurling his impressive Westfield SE through the course in spectacular fashion to be unbeaten over the weekend.
Williams soon got to grips with the new length course, setting an impressive pace from the outset, but sealing Saturday’s win with a time of 28.34s on his third and final run of the day. The second day time also came on the final run, with 28.42s good enough to claim the trophy on Sunday.
Once again, local charities will benefit from the weekend, with profits being donated to the Cornwall Air Ambulance and Watergate Bay Surf Lifesaving Club. Since 2018, Watergate Bay Motorsport has donated over £25,000 to good causes and organisers will announce this year’s addition to that total in the near future.
“This year has exceeded all our expectations and it’s been a fantastic weekend of motorsport for Cornwall and indeed the South West,” says Deputy Event Director Dave Brenton.
“As with any event of this size, there has been a huge effort to ensure it runs as smoothly as possible and the feedback from drivers and spectators has been amazing. We have a very unique offering here in Cornwall and it has captured the hearts and minds of car enthusiasts and excited spectators for miles around.“
“To see them flocking to Watergate Bay at a time when the tourist season draws to a close is great for the region and of course the Sprint. We continue to grow and develop, and we are proud to say this has been the biggest and best yet. We are very excited by what the future holds for Watergate Bay Sprint and would like to extend our thanks to all the sponsors and backers that have made the event possible”