A popular motorsport race staged annually at Watergate Bay has been cancelled.

The Watergate Bay Sprint, which has been held along a 900-metre stretch of the B3276 since 2018, has become financially unviable due to the increasing costs of the road closure. Watergate Bay Motorsport is now looking for a new course to race on so the event can be held in 2027.

Motorsport fans have enjoyed watching competitors race at speeds in excess of 90mph along the Watergate Bay course over the years in cars including Subaru Imprezas, Ford Escorts and Peugeot 205GTis.

A spokesperson for the Watergate Bay Motorsport said: “The Watergate Bay event has evolved over the years since the first hill climb in 2018. Now we have the next exciting instalment.

“Due to circumstances beyond our control we have to find a new course to race on but we do love a challenge.

“The upshot of this is that unfortunately there will not be a Watergate Bay Sprint in 2026.

“However, we have new and exciting plans for 2027 which will still be at Watergate but a new course and exciting changes.

“Anyone who would like to be part of the organising team please contact us.”

They added: “It's not that it's not available, it's down to increasing cost for the road closer.

“Then increased cost for council permits to close the road, which as we understand will be increased again. So it's just not financially viable to run it on that road, but never say never. Obviously we want to donate as much money as possible to Cornwall Air Ambulance and a local charity that we nominate.”