Tourism Minister, Edwina Hart Unveils plans for First P1 Welsh Grand Prix of the Sea

Plans for the first P1 Welsh Grand Prix of the Sea were announced in Cardiff yesterday by Welsh Government Tourism Minister, Edwina Hart. Cardiff Bay has been chosen as the venue for the third round of this year’s P1 SuperStock and AquaX Championships, a double bill of powerboat and jet ski racing, on the weekend of 26 and 27 July.

A fleet of ten P1 Panther race boats and more than thirty jet ski riders will take to the water for two days of fast, furious and free to watch action. P1 SuperStock is a one-design powerboat racing series in which success is all down to driver ability, whilst the P1 AquaX national championship is a personal watercraft series for stock skis. The close-to-shore race courses produce superb entertainment for the live, television and online audiences

The event is the result of a partnership between the Welsh Government and P1 aimed at promoting Wales at a regional and international level to encourage an influx of tourism and an enhanced profile not only for Cardiff but for Wales and its many attractions. The event will focus on public interaction and involve local businesses and schools.    

Edwina Hart, said: “As a Government we are committed to attracting more major international sporting events to Wales.  I’m pleased that we have been able to provide the support needed to help bring the P1 Superstock and AquaX race series here.  This is a significant and exciting event and will enhance a growing portfolio of major water-based events taking place in and around Cardiff Bay, which include the World Cup Canoe Slalom, Extreme Sailing and the Volvo Ocean Race.  We look forward to the event taking place later this month.”  

The P1 race season serves up a feast of sport and entertainment at a total of 12 events in the UK and USA , attracting 300,000 spectators and TV viewers in more than 50 countries. “Media and broadcast relationships play a key role in building P1’s international presence and in delivering exposure for host venues such as Cardiff as well as commercial partners” explains P1 chairman Asif Rangoonwala. “The Welsh capital already plays host to a variety of world class sporting events and, with the hugely successful regeneration project in Cardiff Bay providing us with an outstanding race venue, it is the flagship event in our 5-venue UK championship this summer.

P1 chief executive James Durbin says: “Our partnership with the Welsh Government is an extremely exciting one where we can use our sports tourism knowledge and experience to deliver an integrated campaign covering key markets. The focus will be on raising the profile of Wales, attracting visitors to the event, encouraging local involvement and stimulating the economy.”

The two-day race programme in Cardiff Bay will start at 11.00am on Saturday and at midday on Sunday, with RIB displays and jet ski freestyle entertainment at Mermaid Quay. The Pierhead, Britannia Park and Barrage Walk will be favourite places to enjoy the racing and to cheer on the visitwales.com powerboat which is competing at all the P1 SuperStock UK races this year.