NEWQUAY'S Fistral Beach is to stage the opening races of the Zapcat powerboat season this year, when the Blue Chip Newquay Zapcat Grand Prix race weekend kicks off the season on April 24-25.

Blue Chip Vacations, which has more than 170 high-end self catering properties in Newquay, has played a key role in securing the race for the town as the season's curtain raiser, working closely with Tourism Newquay, Bare Feet Promotions and the Zapcat Grand Prix race organisers, ZCR Ltd.

The weekend becomes the first major event for Newquay, which has become known as the UK's experience capital, and will play a significant role in attracting early season tourists, generating valuable income for the town.

Early estimates suggest that as much as £750,000 could be brought into the local economy as a direct result of the race weekend. On the evening of St George's Day (Friday April 23), a grand Zapcats Parade will take place through the town featuring competitors and boats, raising awareness of the Grand Prix, and attracting visitors to come to the event over the weekend.

Opportunities

Viewing will be free and a range of entertainment and food and drink will be available for spectators.

Opportunities to meet the race teams and see the powerboats up close will also be laid on to encourage a growing following for the championship, which already has international status.

Practice sessions will take place on the Friday, followed by spectacular races on the Saturday and Sunday at the north end of the beach featuring around 40 teams; the southern end of Fistral Beach will remain open for public use.

Up to 16 heats of racing will take place, culminating in two divisional finals each day.

Each daily round will earn the competitors vital points towards the prestigious National Championships, the Services, Rookie, and Team, Mixed, Home Nations and Surf titles, all of which will come to their tense finales in October.

Teams, including local Royal Marines from RAF St Mawgan, will cut through the surf, performing daring and spectacular aerial leaps as they propel themselves through the sea at speeds of up to 50 mph.

The course will take the Zapcats out to the Fistral Headland before turning south and then returning parallel to the beach, giving spectators excellent views.