Watergate Bay Speed Hillclimb will become the `Jewel in the Crown` of the 2019 Cornwall Motorsport Month, a dynamic initiative organised as a collaboration between Motorsport UK and Visit Cornwall.
Running for the second time on September 14/15, the closed-public road Hillclimb will see around 100 cars compete for the fastest time on the new-for-2019 course from Watergate Bay along the B3276 coast road between Padstow and Newquay.
Announced at the Media launch event at WAX Watergate Bay on Sunday (18thAugust), the Hillclimb will become the flagship event for Cornwall Motorsport Month which will see a huge range of two and four-wheel events taking place across the county during the month of September.
Jointly organised by Newquay Auto Club, Plymouth Motor Club and Truro and District Motor Club, the Hillclimb first ran in September last year as the first closed-road speed Hillclimb to take place since the passing of a Parliamentary law which enabled timed motorsport events to use closed public roads.
The ground-breaking weekend attracted a capacity entry and once again a bumper entry from all over the UK will head to the North Cornwall coast to tackle the 850-metre event, which has been extended from last years course.
It will run as one of the main events in September’s motorsport extravaganza which will house events such as off-road events, Kart meetings, Autotests, Talks and Motorcycle Trials. The initiative, backed by Ginsters, will officially launch at Cornwall Motorfest in Crantock on 31st August which will see Kwik Fit British Touring Car ace Tom Ingram attend.
Motorsport events will take place across Cornwall during September
– click to download high res version – Image Credit: John Issac
A packed month of activities will follow with everything from a charity Go-Kart event to the Cornwall Classic Tour. Another highlight will include Le Mans Comes to St Mawes, as five-times Le-Mans winner Derek Bell, and current Aston Martin factory drivers Darren Turner & Jonny Adam will be interviewed by F1 pundit Tony Jardine about their experience at Le Mans, the toughest endurance race in the world, on Monday 9th September.
The evening will also include a screening of a Le Mans film Truth in 24, the story of Audi winning Le Mans in 2008 and a display of the Aston Martin race car that took Jonny Adam to GT victory in 2017, with ticket proceeds being donated to Cornwall Air Ambulance.
Kevin Moore, coordinator of Cornwall Motorsport Month believes Watergate Bay Speed Hillclimb is the perfect way to highlight motorsport in the region.
“It’s fantastic to see the improvement and development of the event [Watergate Bay] year on year from the original ideas of the team, and on behalf of Motorsport UK I`d like to congratulate the organising team for their hard work and dedication,” he says.
“Cornwall Motorsport Month has really grown over the last few months and we have plenty of activities planned over September. We are delighted to welcome Ginsters as an official partner to the programme.”
Present at the Media Launch was Debbie Henshaw, Fundraising Coordinator for Cornwall Air Ambulance who, along with Cornwall Food Foundation, will benefit from the Hillclimb as profits will be donated to the charities once again in 2019.
“We are delighted to have reached £1.65m on the way to our target of £2.5m to secure a new Air Ambulance for Cornwall which we are hoping to be able to take delivery of in April 2020,” she says.
“On behalf of Cornwall Air Ambulance I would like to thank everyone involved in the Hillclimb, the spectators and their families who have helped raise vital funds, thank so you much”.
Discounted advanced ticket sales are now available for Watergate Bay Speed Hillclimb which includes entry to the event, paddock and display areas.
Watergate Bay Speed Hillclimb is sponsored by:
Watergate Bay Hotel, Cowling Plant Hire, Celtic Tuning, Mid Cornwall Self Storage, Penmellyn Vets, The Colourworx, Rallyprep, Hatton Energy Motorsport, Toniq, Brady Construction and WAX.
More information on the event can be found at www.watergatebayhillclimb.co.uk
More information on Cornwall Motorsport Month can be found at www.cornwallmotorsportmonth.comYou can catch up with all the latest news from the event on its social media feeds:http://www.twitter.com/watergatehill
http://www.facebook.com/watergatebayhillclimb/
Watergate Bay Speed Hillclimb would formally like to invite you to their Media Launch event which will take place at WAX, Watergate Bay in Newquay on Sunday 18th August at 11:00 am.
After a successful inaugural event last year, the hillclimb will once again see around 100 cars and competitors competing against the clock, tackling the climb from Watergate Bay towards Newquay over the weekend of 14/15 September 2019.
Organised by Newquay Auto Club, Plymouth Motor Club and Truro and District Motor Club, the event remains the only hillclimb in England to take place on closed public roads and is the flagship event in Cornwall Motorsport Month, organised in association with Motorsport UK and Visit Cornwall.
The media launch event will offer the opportunity to find out more about the Hillclimb, talk to the organisers and our supporters.
As last year, Watergate Bay Speed Hillclimb is also supporting two local charities with profits being donated to Cornwall Air Ambulance and The Cornwall Food Foundation.
If you are able to attend the launch event, please RSVP to:
Launch Coordinator and Deputy Event Director
Dave Brenton
dbrally1@sky.com
07748593005
More information on the Hillclimb can be found at www.watergatebayhillclimb.co.uk
Meeting Venue:
WAX
Watergate Bay
Nr Newquay
TR8 4AB
More information and media enquires:
Matt Cotton
Event Media Officer
Tel: 07870 216931
Email: matt@mcrmotorsportmedia.com
We look forward to hearing from you soon.
-Ends
Zacry’s restaurant , part of the stunning Watergate Bay Hotel are offering a very special Hillclimb lunch for you to enjoy over the weekend, whilst watching the cars blast off the start line from their prime positioning at the bottom of the hill.
Start with a cold Cornish beer or glass of wine, then dine on barbecue Cornish lamb served on flat bread with date molasses, pomegranate, mint yogurt, zhug, a Middle Eastern hot sauce, pickled white cabbage and rocket. Followed by raspberry and almond tarte with clotted cream.
A vegetarian option is available on request.
All for a very special price of £20, bookable in advance by following this link:
Fri 13 Sep 2019 7:00 pm – 10:30 pm
WAX/ Watergate Bay Car Park, TR8 4AB
DESCRIPTION
About Watergate Bay Drive-in Cinema:
In Association With WAX Watergate Bay https://waxwatergate.co.uk/
WAX is bringing back the drive-in Cinema to Watergate Bay. Located in the large carpark opposite WAX, a 40 foot state of the art inflatable screen will be erected (don’t laugh).
Using the natural gradient of the car park we hope to make a amphitheatre of cars all with a great view. Once parked you will tune your car radio to a set frequency and the films audio & soundtrack will play directly through your car.
There will be food & drink stands around the drive-in for you to stock up with refreshments before & during the show. Plus, we have a meal deal where hot food from WAX will be delivered to your car.
Your Screening:
Film: Rush
Age Rating: 15
Recommend Arrival Time: 6.30-7pm
Screening Time: 7.30pm
Date: 13th of September 2019
Prices:
Car General Admission £20:
This ticket includes entry into the drive-in cinema for one car and up to 5 occupants. You will also receive popcorn & access to WAX Watergate after the screening for an after party & live music. (Live music only available on Saturday screenings)
Large Vehicle General Admission £30
This ticket includes entry into the drive-in cinema for one large vehicle (people carrier or small mini bus) and up to 9 occupants. You will also receive popcorn & access to WAX Watergate after the screening for an after party & live music. (Live music only available on Saturday screenings)
Meal Deal £45:
Complete your drive in experience with a our Meal Deal offer, where we deliver piping hot WAX food to your car during the movie.
For just £25 (plus you normal general admission fee) get: 2 Large WAX Pizza’s, 2 Large WAX Nachos & 2 Large Portions of Fries.
This offer has limited availability
Terms & Conditions:
1.You must have a valid ticket to enter the event. This must be presented on arrival
2. This is a family friendly event & therefore all guests must act in a family friendly manner. You may be asked to leave the venue if you are seen to repeatedly violate this condition.
3. In the event of very poor weather or high winds the event may be cancelled or rescheduled.
4. This is a non alcohol event. No alcohol will be served on the cinema site. WAX Watergate will be serving alcohol & other refreshments as normal.
5. Tickets are non-refundable & no discount is available with WAX locals cards.
LOCATION
WAX/ Watergate Bay Car Park, TR8 4AB
Watergate Bay Speed Hillclimb has launched the second running of the popular motorsport weekend, as entries open at 8PM on Monday 15th July for the September 14/15 closed-road speed event based near Newquay in Cornwall.
As the headline event in the Cornwall Motorsport Month which takes place throughout September and is supported by Visit Cornwall and Motorsport UK, Watergate Bay Speed Hillclimb is set to attract a wide variety of competitors from across the UK to the region as around 120 cars will compete for the fastest time on the new-for-2019 course.
Jointly organised by Newquay Auto Club, Plymouth Motor Club and Truro and District Motor Club, the event first ran in September last year as the first closed-road speed Hillclimb to take place since the passing of a Parliamentary law which enabled timed motorsport events to use closed public roads.
The ground-breaking weekend attracted a capacity entry and organisers are confident of a repeat of the inaugural event success due to some exciting changes for the second running of the Hillclimb.
Thanks to approval from Motorsport UK, the course has been extended by 130 metres from last year, with the total length now standing at 850 meters. The extension, which has been added to the end of the 2018 course, offers a new challenge for competitors as they tackle the stretch from Watergate Bay along the B3276 coast road between Padstow and Newquay.
Competitors will also be brought closer to the fans thanks to a change in the location of the paddock to the other side of the course. Spectators will also be able to see much more of the hill thanks to works which will take place in early September, as well as having full access to the paddock.
After raising over £6,000 for local charities Cornwall Air Ambulance and Cornwall Food Foundation, the event will continue to donate its profits to both charities in 2019.
Event Organiser Dave Brenton is anticipating another full entry for the unique event.
“We have been eager to make sure the event keeps innovating and evolving as it grows, and I think the hill extension and spectator facilities in 2019 will be a winner with everyone this year” he says.
“It’s certainly going to be bigger and better than 2018 and I`m hoping that we can reach a capacity entry on both days once again. Cornwall is well known for its tourism and it’s great that we can put it on the map for motorsport too. The feedback from last year was superb and we had a real carnival atmosphere surrounding the event. We have another exciting weekend planned for everyone including competitors and spectators and I have had many messages from people looking to travel from far and wide to compete this year. I’m confident it’s going to be another bumper event”.
Regulations will be available on July 15th at 8pm, along with the online entry system.
Watergate Bay Speed Hillclimb is sponsored by:
Watergate Bay Hotel, Cowling Plant Hire, Celtic Tuning, Mid Cornwall Self Storage, Penmellyn Vets, The Colourworx, Rallyprep, Hatton Energy Motorsport, Toniq and WAX.
More information on the event can be found at www.watergatebayhillclimb.co.uk
More information on Cornwall Motorsport Month can be found at www.cornwallmotorsportmonth.com
Watergate Bay Speed Hillclimb will return to the British motorsport calendar once again in 2019 and organisers of the event have revealed a new look to the Newquay based event on September 14/15.
Jointly organised by Newquay Auto Club, Plymouth Motor Club and Truro and District Motor Club, it was the first hillclimb to take place since the passing of a Parliamentary law enabled timed motorsport events to take place on closed public roads.
In September, the motorsport extravaganza will return once again with some exciting changes promised by the organising team. Thanks to approval from Motorsport UK, the governing body for the sport in the country, the challenging course will wind its way for 850 metres along the B3276 coast road between Padstow and Newquay, an extension of 130 metres from its original length.
In addition to the added distance to the course, spectators will be able to get a better view of the action thanks to a change in the location of the paddock and trade areas. After feedback from 2018, motorsport fans will be able to see much more of the hill and have full access to the paddock after the move to a clifftop location.
Inaugural Watergate Bay Speed Hillclimb was a huge success in 2018
– click to download high res version – Image Credit: John Issac
From almost standard road cars, to fully modified racers, a dynamic range of cars are set to flock to the region. Last year, there was success for local crews on both days with Tavistock’s Doug Bennett taking the opening fastest time on the Saturday event in his powerful Sylva Striker kit-car, whilst Chard-based Stewart Lillington took his Radical SR4 kit-car, to the quickest run on Sunday.
The event will also be the figurehead of Cornwall Motorsport Month which takes place throughout September. The county has a rich heritage of motorsport activities taking place throughout the year which can often be overlooked thanks to being a popular destination for tourists and surfers in the busy summer months. The campaign is supported by Motorsport UK and Visit Cornwall and has been created to highlight the region as a prime destination for both tourism and motorsport.
The inaugural running of the Watergate Bay Hillclimb took place in 2018 and was dubbed a huge success after attracting a capacity entry and raising over £6,000 for the local charities Cornwall Air Ambulance and Cornwall Food Foundation. It will continue to donate its profits to both charities in 2019.
Local business have also pledged their support for the second running of the Hillclimb with the prestigious Watergate Bay Hotel one of the first sponsors to return after year one. The Hotel is nestled in the heart of Watergate Bay and overlooks the start line, which led the establishment to offer its valuable car park and function rooms to the event.
Quintrell Downs-based Celtic Tuning will become a sponsor for the first time, joining Cowling Plant Hire, Mid Cornwall Self Storage, The Colourworx, WAX, Toniq and Penmellyn Vets who all return for a second year.
Event Organiser Dave Brenton is excited to see the Hillclimb return in 2019.
“We were delighted to be the flagship event for motorsport in the UK during 2018, being the first Hillclimb to take advantage of the new laws and despite having to work from a clean sheet, it was a great success,” he says.
“Now, we can take everything that we learnt from last year and package it even better for both competitors and spectators, offering a spectacular weekend of motorsport in one of the most beautiful locations in the UK. We are working hard to bring together the Cornwall Motorsport Month and the Hillclimb to once again put Cornwall well and truly on the map as a destination for both motorsport and tourism. We look forward to welcoming everyone back in Cornwall in September”.
Regulations for the second running of the Hillclimb will be released on July 15th at 8pm, along with the online entry system.
More information on the event can be found at www.watergatebayhillclimb.co.uk
More information on Cornwall Motorsport Month can be found at www.cornwallmotorsportmonth.com
http://www.twitter.com/watergatehill
http://www.facebook.com/watergatebayhillclimb/
Organisers of the ground-breaking Watergate Bay Speed Hillclimb in Cornwall can confirm that the motorsport weekend will become an annual event and take place for a second time on 14th/15th September 2019.
After a successful first event, promoters Truro and District Motor Club, Newquay Auto Club and Plymouth Motor Club are also looking at making changes to the hill to offer a greater challenge for competitors and better viewing for fans throughout the course.
Plans are well underway to re-create the weekend and make it bigger and better than last September’s offering. The inaugural event saw 90 drivers each day compete along the 720-metre course which winds its way along the B3276 coast road between Padstow and Newquay.
Sanctioned by the Motor Sports Association (MSA) which governs the sport in the UK, the event marked the first hillclimb to take place on a closed public road since the passing of legislation in Parliament in 2017 which enabled the suspension of the Road Traffic Act for motorsport.
Thousands of spectators and motorsport fans flocked to the seaside resort from all over the country during the weekend, which enabled the event to donate its profits to its designated charities, Cornwall Air Ambulance and Cornwall Food Foundation.
The brainchild of Truro and District Motor Club Competition Secretary Dave Brenton, Watergate Bay Speed Hillclimb was a culmination of over five years of planning and he is delighted to be able to announce a date for 2019.
“It’s very exciting to be able to formally announce a date for 2019 and the return of the Watergate Bay Speed Hillclimb” he says.
“The entire committee worked tirelessly to ensure the debut event was a success and I was so very proud that we managed to do that considering it was the first event of its kind in the country. We learnt very fast and that means we can now take our experiences into next year and make it bigger and better than before”.
Brenton has listened to all the feedback from competitors and spectators in September and is working on some significant changes for the second event.
“Of course, we knew there would be things that needed adapting and altering going forwards, that’s was always the intention for our first one. We now have some exciting new plans in the pipeline for competitors and spectators alike. There is a lot of work to do but if it comes off, we are sure that it will be a popular addition for all. We hope that announcing the date early gives people time to plan their diaries for next year and we look forward to seeing everyone on the North Cornwall coast in September 2019”.
Watergate Bay Speed Hillclimb is set to become an annual event after the successful running of the inaugural meeting at the weekend, which saw 90 drivers per day compete against the clock near Newquay in a first-for-motorsport in the UK.
The event, jointly organised by Truro and District Motor Club, Newquay Auto Club and Plymouth Motor Club marked the first hillclimb to take place on a closed public road since the passing of a law in Parliament in 2017 which enabled the suspension of the Road Traffic Act for motorsport.
The event would wind its way along the B3276 coast road between Padstow and Newquay and attracted bumper crowds to the venue for the weekend as motorsport fans and followers watched a diverse range of cars tackle the 720-metre course.
Sanctioned by the Motor Sports Association (MSA) which governs the sport in the UK, the event was a culmination of over five years of planning by Truro Motor Club Competition Secretary and Deputy Event Director Dave Brenton, attracting spectators and drivers from all over the UK to the region.
Image credit: Samuel Crosby – Watergate Bay Hotel
From almost standard road cars, to fully modified racers, there was success for local crews on both days. Tavistock’s Doug Bennett had the honour of taking the opening fastest time on the Saturday event in his powerful Sylva Striker kit-car, with a time of 24.74 seconds during his first timed run of the afternoon.
Fastest time of the day on Sunday went to Chard-based Stewart Lillington and his Radical SR4 kit-car, setting an impressive 23.57 second run and bagging a new hill record in the process.
Image credit: Howie Fowler
Local charities were also able to benefit from the weekend, with all profits being donated to the Cornwall Air Ambulance and Cornwall Food Foundation, which includes Jamie Oliver’s apprentice training scheme at the nearby Fifteen restaurant. Whilst organisers are still awaiting the official figures, initial estimates are that over £10,000 will be donated.
Crowds flocked to the seaside resort, with some able to enjoy a mix of surfing and motorsport within a few hundred metres of each other. Organisers estimate that over 1000 people per day passed through the spectator entrance to enjoy the action, as well as getting up close to the drivers and cars in the dedicated paddock area at the top of the hill. Spectators were also able to chat with the drivers in the bottom paddock in the Fifteen restaurant car park in the heart of Watergate Bay.
The event was an emotional one for originator Dave Brenton who has dedicated the past few years to see the event get off the ground.
“This has very much been a labour of love for a long time now and to see that first car leave the start line on Saturday morning was a very special moment for me and all of the organising team,” he says.
“It’s been a mammoth task and like all events of this size, there have been some issues that we worked hard to overcome during the weekend. But the atmosphere was amazing throughout and each competitor I have spoken to loved every second. It’s been a remarkable motorsport success and I can’t thank everyone enough for their support, from our sponsors, partners and charities, to the marshals and spectators who turned up to watch”.
Image credit: Howie Fowler
Despite the clearing up operation still underway, Brenton is already looking at next year.
“There has been an overwhelmingly positive response to the event so we are already looking at how to improve in 2019. We know spectators viewing was limited at times so will be addressing that and we are even investigating the possibility of extending the course. We look forward to welcoming everyone back in Cornwall in September 2019 for the second running of the Hillclimb.”
More information, including results can be found at: www.watergatebayhillclimb.co.uk
http://www.twitter.com/watergatehill
http://www.facebook.com/watergatebayhillclimb/
-ENDS
Cornwall will be making motorsport history this weekend as the ground-breaking Watergate Bay Speed Hillclimb takes place on the North Cornish coast near Newquay (15/16 September).
Around 90 cars and drivers from across the UK will compete against the clock, tackling the 720-metre course along the B3276 coast road between Padstow and Newquay. The event marks the first Speed Hillclimb to take place on a closed public road, since the passing of a law in Parliament in 2017 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.
From an idea in 2013 by Truro Motor Club Competition Secretary and now Deputy Event Director of Watergate Bay Hillclimb Dave Brenton, the concept has grown significantly in strength and has gained support from a wealth of local businesses who are keen to see the event become an annual event.
Local charities benefit from the weekend, with all profits being donated to the Cornwall Air Ambulance and Cornwall Food Foundation, which includes Jamie Oliver’s apprentice training scheme at the nearby Fifteen restaurant.
Organisers have been inundated with entries for the weekend which boasts a fantastic mix of personalities and local competitors all eager to play a part in making motorsport history. Ginetta GT5 racer and motorsport star Charlie Martin. is a notable entry on the list, bringing her own Mini Cooper to Cornwall after spending the previous week enjoying the Cornish hospitality and surf in the region.
Sadly, FIA World Rallycross ace and Monster Energy Athlete Liam Doran has had to withdraw due to be called up to contest the next round of the series in Latvia by Prodrive.
There will be a wide range of cars competing throughout the weekend, divided into 12 classes, ranging from totally standard road going examples to highly modified racers and rally cars.
Local drivers have been eager to contest the event which is aiming to become an annual celebration of the sport for the region. Husband and wife team Helen and Gary Pitt from Camborne will be sharing their Suzuki Swift in class A1 (Roadgoing). Whilst they have four other contenders in the class, their biggest rival will undoubtedly be each other.
Shelley Deacon has been involved in the organising team of the event, but switches to the driver’s seat during the weekend. Deacon, from St Dennis will drive her Audi TT which she has been using with great success in the British Women Racing Drivers Club Hillclimb and Sprint championships this season.
The Watergate Bay Hotel Rally Car Class is well supported, with event sponsor Neil Yates bringing his Rally Prep backed BMW E30 the three or so miles from his St Columb workshop to the hillclimb. A rare MG Metro 6R4, driven by Andy Slade will make the trip from Plymouth and motorsport fans will be in for a treat, undoubtedly hearing the car before seeing it.
Deputy Event Director Dave Brenton is delighted with the response to the Hillclimb.
“A few years ago, this was just an idea and now this weekend, after many months of hard work, it becomes a reality” he said.
“Cornwall is a fantastic place for motorsport and has a very healthy scene which tends to hide itself away, so Watergate Bay is effectively bringing motorsport to the people. We have had lots of support from the MSA and our sponsors, all of which have helped to make this happen and it really is exciting to be making history in the sport. We have a great entry lined up and we think it will be a great weekend for all to enjoy and the plan is certainly to make it an annual event”.
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