Inverclyde set to host Scottish P1 Powerboat event in 2016
Powerboat and Jet Ski national championships could be staged in Greenock as Inverclyde Council and regeneration company Riverside Inverclyde (ri) agree to become a new P1 host venue.
The Powerboat P1 Grand Prix of the Sea is an international high profile event that has never been held in Scotland. UK championships have been held in England and Wales.
Now Inverclyde is set to host the event in July 2016 after councillors and the Riverside Inverclyde Board agreed to support the event bid.
Powerboat P1 is the world’s leading marine motorsport promoter, successfully staging more than 200 events in 17 countries on three continents since 2003.
The event will be jointly hosted by Inverclyde Council and Riverside Inverclyde (ri) in July 2016 of Greenock’s Esplanade.
And, as part of the wider promotion of tourism in Inverclyde, tourism related businesses will have the opportunity to showcase themselves on the Esplanade with a planned ‘mile-long Inverclyde Showcase’ accompanying the event.
Inverclyde Council’s Environment and Regeneration Convener, Councillor Michael McCormick, said: “With the tremendous assets we have, Inverclyde is the ideal location to host an event like this. Not only will this be a fantastic free event for Inverclyde residents to enjoy, it will also be a chance to showcase Inverclyde to a wider audience. TV broadcast will also take us to a UK and potentially global audience, with the Scottish Grand Prix of the Sea 2016. This event shows the scale of our ambition to bring more high profile activity to Inverclyde and encourage more people to visit and enjoy all that Inverclyde has to offer. The Inverclyde Showcase is a crucial element to this event to allow local tourism-related business a chance to showcase what they do to residents and to visitors.”
Gerry McCarthy, Chair of Riverside Inverclyde, said : “Riverside Inverclyde was determined that the first ever Scottish Grand Prix of the Sea would be held in Greenock. Apart from the great spectacle that this event will bring to the people of Inverclyde, the accompanying international profile provides a unique platform to supplement Riverside Inverclyde’s activities in positioning Inverclyde for mobile investment. Furthermore, creating an Inverclyde Showcase along the Esplanade can help to lay the foundation for sustainable economic growth for Inverclyde’s tourism businesses. This can be the catalyst for attracting return visits to Inverclyde from the thousands expected to travel to Inverclyde to watch this spectacular event. The collaborative efforts of Riverside Inverclyde and Inverclyde Council in securing this event - supported by Peel Ports, Police Scotland, Scottish Fire & Rescue Service, HM Coastguard and Blue Sea Marinas – demonstrates the ongoing success of the Inverclyde economic development & regeneration single operating plan”.
Powerboat P1 is the world’s largest marine motorsport platform, with more than 150 racers participating in national powerboat and jet-ski championships in the USA and UK.
The powerboat racing series, P1 SuperStock, is based on a one-design boat powered exclusively by BRP’s Evinrude engines which creates a level playing field and ensures costs are controlled and the sport remains accessible.
The jet-ski classes are based on 200hp – 300hp production models, with the full support of Sea-doo, Kawasaki and Yamaha. The close-to-shore race course and fun of the race village means P1 events are designed to excite and entertain, ensuring spectator enjoyment and sponsor value with a significant economic impact for the host venue.
The events are shown on Sky Sports in HD.
If next year’s event is successful, Council and regeneration bosses have pledge to examine the event with the option of hosting in 2017 and 2018.
Link to video of Powerboat P1 events: http://www.powerboatp1.com/Television.ink