Enthusiasts and competitors are gearing up for the fifth Watergate Bay Sprint at the weekend. 

Around 100 cars and drivers from across the country will tackle the closed-road circuit on the B3276 and compete for class awards or the coveted fastest time of the day. 

Organisers 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. 

The sprint will be one of only a handful of motorsport events in the country to allow electrified vehicles to compete.  

A spokesperson said: “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. 

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. 

The action will start from 9.30 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.  Road closure times are 6am to 6pm on September 16 and 17.