Scotland’s First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has welcomed the newest event on the Scottish racing calendar. For, in June 2016, the P1 Powerboat Scottish Grand Prix of the Sea will be hosted in Inverclyde.

To celebrate, a specially designed Inverclyde branded boat has been unveiled in Greenock by First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, Provost Robert Moran and RI chairman Gerry McCarthy at James Watt Dock Marina.

The boat, which will race in the first ever Scottish Grand prix of the Sea next June, will also race during the rest of the P1 Powerboat calendar in 2016 at Scarborough, Gosport, Cardiff and Bournemouth.

The First Minister said: “This major event will attract tens of thousands of powerboat racing fans to Inverclyde, an area with a rich maritime history.

“Visitors to the area are guaranteed a friendly welcome and the event is expected to bring significant benefits to the local economy.

“The River Clyde will provide a magnificent backdrop for all the races, which will be broadcast live on TV across the UK.”

Inverclyde Council will host the event jointly with regeneration company Riverside Inverclyde.

Inverclyde, Provost, Robert Moran, said: “The P1 Powerboat is an exhilarating event and it is a great honour that Inverclyde is able to bring the Grand Prix of the Sea to Scotland for the very first time. The new Inverclyde branded boat will race in the waters of the Clyde and across the UK to help to showcase Inverclyde and Scotland. With the huge number of cruise ship passengers visiting Scotland through Greenock, our two major marinas, the wealth of water based activities, Scotland’s Boat Show at Kip Marina each October and the powerboat event next June, Inverclyde can truly lay claim to the title of marine leisure capital of Scotland.”

Riverside Inverclyde Chair, Gerry McCarthy, said: “Doesn’t the Inverclyde branded boat look superb? It’s designed to attract the interest of visitors and businesses alike to area, and get people talking about Inverclyde. Remember this event gets broadcast into 400 million homes around the world. I’m really looking forward to 18th and 19th June. I’m a big fan of Formula 1 Grand Prix, so having a Grand Prix of the Sea at Greenock’s Esplanade is really exciting – especially when there is an Inverclyde boat we can cheer on. I’m sure the people of Inverclyde and beyond will give this first ever Scottish Grand Prix of the Sea great support. Riverside Inverclyde is proud to be able to present this event as co-hosts with Inverclyde Council”

The P1 Powerboat and Jet Ski national championships will be staged in Greenock’s Esplanade on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 June 2016. The event will be hosted by Inverclyde Council and regeneration company Riverside Inverclyde (ri).

The Powerboat P1 Grand Prix of the Sea is an international high profile event that has never been held in Scotland. UK championships have been held in England and Wales.

Powerboat P1 is the world’s leading marine motorsport promoter, successfully staging more than 200 events in 17 countries on three continents since 2003.

And, as part of the wider promotion of tourism in Inverclyde, tourism related businesses will have the opportunity to showcase themselves on the Esplanade with a planned ‘mile-long Inverclyde Showcase’ accompanying the event.

The events are shown on Sky Sports in HD.

If next year’s event is successful, Council and regeneration bosses have pledged to examine the event with the option of hosting in 2017 and 2018.