Event organisers delighted with continued support from the business community for Inverclyde race weekend in June
THE countdown is underway to the second P1 Scottish Grand Prix of the Sea, a two-day festival of marine motorsport on the River Clyde at the end of June, and local businesses have again been quick to sign up as sponsors and partners.
Co-hosted by Riverside Inverclyde and Inverclyde Council, the two-day event in Greenock will be the second round of the P1 UK race series and has attracted backing from a variety of local firms as well as national companies based in the area.
Renewing its sponsorship is the UK’s largest ferry network operator and one of the largest companies headquartered in Scotland, Caledonian MacBrayne.
P1 chief operating officer, Robert Wicks, said: “CalMac has a long history of supporting community events and is the perfect partner to again help us make a significant economic and social impact in the region through the continued development of Scottish marine tourism.”
The CalMac sponsorship has been followed by support from a number of local businesses:
* River Clyde Homes: A ‘not-for-profit’ social housing provider formed in 2007 that owns, manages and provides services to homes in the Inverclyde area.
* Ogilvie Homes: Part of the Ogilvie Group that has been steered by three generations of the Ogilvie family since 1953, Ogilvie Homes is a leading house builder with, at present, ten developments in Scotland.
* Synergy Lifting Solutions: A new partner for 2017, Greenock-based SLS specialises in providing lifting solutions for a wide variety of commercial and industrial projects across the United Kingdom. The company will be providing their expertise to lift the P1 race boats into the water during the race weekend.
* Cardwell Garden Centre: The site of this family operated business on the banks of the Firth of Clyde at Gourock has developed over the last 35 years to become one of the largest and best garden centres in the UK.
* James Watt Dock Marina: The host marina for the P1 race event, it started development in 2011 and now offers more than 100 berths within an historic dock setting. Spectators will have the opportunity to see the race boats being launched and prepared before they head to the race course along The Esplanade.
* Peel Port Clydeport: Part of the Peel Ports Group, Clydeport is the largest port on Scotland’s west coast. The natural deep-water port of Greenock offers a safe and convenient stopping point for cruise ships of all sizes, with no tidal or lock restrictions. The team at Clydeport have been instrumental in assisting with the race course planning and on-water permissions for the event.
Explained Wicks: “Partnerships are at the heart of the P1 business model.
“And we work with sponsors and local businesses to attract visitors to the area, boost the economy and activate our race event to support Inverclyde’s successful reimaging and regeneration programme.
“Our aim is to maximise the benefits for each sponsor and, on a wider front, to build business in the area on the back of the P1 Scottish Grand Prix of the Sea and raise the profile of Inverclyde at the other events in our UK championship in England, Wales and Denmark.
“As part of this programme, a Scottish crew will again fly the flag for Inverclyde and Scotland in the P1 SuperStock powerboat series competing in the ‘Spirit of Inverclyde’ race boat [pictured].”
With swathes of visitors heading to Greenock for the weekend of racing last year, generating an overall event impact in excess of £2m, the event reinforced Inverclyde’s status as the marine leisure capital of Scotland and was a great example of successful collaboration between organisers, partners, sponsors and the local community to achieve relevant benefits.
Adds Wicks: “It is clear that Inverclyde is an area of great ambition and an ideal location for attracting new businesses.
“And we all want to build on the success of the inaugural event last year to achieve economic growth for Inverclyde. Our membership of the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce provides us with a range of communication and promotional opportunities in the region.”
Fiona Maguire, acting CEO of Riverside Inverclyde, co-hosts of the event along with Inverclyde Council, said: “The Scottish Grand Prix of the Sea positions Inverclyde as an ambitious, vibrant and welcoming community.
“In partnering with P1, Inverclyde and its businesses have an unparalleled opportunity for global exposure with a television programme reach of hundreds of millions of households, facilitating an opportunity for economic growth.
“It is vital for Riverside Inverclyde that local companies develop and that we can also attract new businesses to invest in Inverclyde and thereby create jobs. With 30,000 people in attendance at last year’s inaugural event, the profile of Inverclyde, our businesses, and our superb facilities can be seen locally, nationally and internationally.”
The free-to-watch Greenock event will deliver a weekend of high-speed sport and family entertainment, with a fleet of P1 Panther race boats and jet skis competing in the P1 SuperStock and AquaX championships.
The two-mile race course will be close-to-shore at Greenock’s Esplanade, which will be transformed into the Esplanade Showcase with exhibition stands and marquees linked to VisitScotland’s Year of History, Heritage & Archaeology.
In addition to the tens of thousands of spectators expected on each day (June 24 and 25), the race action will be broadcast on Sky Sports in the UK and internationally in more than 150 countries.
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Issued by The BIG Partnership on behalf of Powerboat P1.
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