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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