Watergate Bay, near Newquay in Cornwall, may not be one of the UK’s most famous sporting venues but it’s certainly one of the country’s most significant.

Back in 2018, it hosted the first speed event to take advantage of new parliamentary laws permitting public roads in England to be closed for competitive motorsport and now, five years later, the west country pace-setter continues to innovate.

Organised by a fruitful co-operation between Truro and District Motor Club, Plymouth Motor Club, Newquay Auto Club and Camel Vale Motor Club, this weekend’s Sprint will again take place on closed roads. What’s more, it will be one of the first motorsport events in the country with a special class for Electric Vehicles.

Such speed events, of course, are open to standard road cars as well as full-blown race cars and the pioneering new category has attracted four showroom models. One of these is entered by Autocar for what’s certain to be an interesting read when the follow-up editorial feature published both in the magazine and on-line.

Furthering its environmental credentials, the 2023 Sprint has also established 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.

Local charities also will be major beneficiaries of the weekend’s activities. More than £30,000 has already been raised for good causes since the inaugural Hillclimb back in 2018 and this year’s profits will be donated to the Cornwall Air Ambulance.

Funds will largely be generated by ticket sales with crowds flocking to watch an impressive entry list of around 100 cars all competing against-the-clock in a number of different classes and gunning for the ultimate ‘Fastest Time of the Day’ award.

The challenging Sprint course starts on the Newquay side of the B3276 at Trevelgue with entrants then tackling the road towards Watergate Bay offering a fast and flowing section mixed with a technical element that includes a tight ‘90-left’ turn before powering towards the finish.

The organisers have ensured some superb viewing locations and ticket-holders are also provided with access to the paddock enabling fans to get up close to the cars and meet the drivers.

Adding to this weekend’s sporting spectacle, the Ralli 22 Club will be bringing an exciting range of rally cars from the past, including much-loved Group B and Group A icons. These thrilling machines will be adding to the track show with eye-catching demo runs and also be magnetic attractions for enthusiasts at close quarters in the paddock.

To purchase advanced tickets and find out more, click here.