Barry Island 2009 was one the new venues for Zapcat Racing, arranged very late into the season, Vale of Glamorgan Council pulled out all the stops to make it happen and as a last minute event it was seen as a great success, everyone agreed that it must come back to South Wales the following year.
The Council despite budget restraints, has worked tirelessly again to ensure Barry plays a major role in the Zapcat Racing calendar in our 10th Anniversary season. As a result the 'Barry Island Zapcat Racing Grand Prix' will be one of the Welsh venues for the Home Nations Cup.
With much more time for pre-race marketing and promotion, we expect many more local businesses and spectators to support everything that will be going on that weekend, Zapcat Racing will be the major attraction and we know there is plenty more planned and to be announced very soon. Fantastic 'free to view family entertainment'
Last year local support was very evident for the Welsh teams; especially those following Division 2 winners Westgate Buildings, brothers Charles & Ed Morris who are based a few miles up the road in Cardiff and a few more miles away in Qatar! (Ed had already told us before the event was even confirmed that he had booked his flights and would be making a return trip to race again at Barry and this time challenge the Division One teams.)
Barry Island was unique for many reasons; one of them being that it was the only venue that National Champions Bluesheets 1 did not win a Grand Prix trophy! Speedy Hire took the title and will be aiming to defend it all the way.
Barry Island also saw the largest number of entries (as well as some of the best spills and crashes) and we expect to see just as many teams this year (as well as plenty of thrills) and a few more returning racers.
We can safely say that all the officials, safety crew, race teams, friends, supporters & families are looking forward to returning to the fantastic beach and the very warm welcome from local residents and visitors alike.
We will be aiming to put on another great show with our trademark of action packed close up racing.
Whitmore Bay so far has delivered some of the most unpredictable race conditions on one of our longest courses on tour. Certainly with the biggest tides; add to that the gusting winds that arrive from differing directions around the headlands. It will be very interesting to see what challenges are faced by the racers in August this year and who comes out on top.