Chairman of the Motor Sports Association (MSA) David Richards headed to Cornwall at the weekend to meet organisers, supporters and members of the media, officially opening entries to the Watergate Bay Speed Hillclimb on September 15-16.
David, a former chairman of Aston Martin and former team principal of the BAR and Benetton Formula One racing teams, took time out of his busy schedule to officially announce that entries could be submitted from 8pm on Sunday, July 15, at a launch event at WAX, Watergate Bay, near Newquay, on Saturday.
Jointly organised by Truro and District Motor Club, Newquay Auto Club and Plymouth Motor Club, Watergate Bay Speed Hillclimb will be the first of its kind in the UK since an Act of Parliament allowed the suspension of the Road Traffic Act for motorsport events.
“This really is just the start of what we, as a sport, can achieve with the new closed road laws” said David.
“You only have to look at Britain’s round of the World Rally Championship, Wales Rally GB, which will be using closed roads extensively in their route, to see what is possible. It’s great to see that Truro Motor Club and other South West clubs are paving the way towards what I think will be a revolution for motorsport in this country.
"The concept really does take motorsport to people who may have never it before, especially in Cornwall where you are a long way from a racetrack. I wish the organisers the very best for September and I see this being a fixture on the motorsport calendar for many years to come.”
Profits from the event will be donated to the Cornwall Air Ambulance and Cornwall Food Foundation.
Around 100 competitors on each day are expected to head to the motorsport weekend from across the UK with a wide variety of cars assembling to tackle the 720-metre climb from the Watergate Bay.
Competitors wishing to enter the inaugural Watergate Bay Speed Hillclimb can do so, at http://www.watergatebayhillclimb.co.uk
Volunteer marshals are also required to help run a safe and smooth event. You can contact event chief marshal Neil Gould via the website to register your interest.
Information for spectators and more details on access, displays and timings will be available over the next few weeks on the official website.