By Paul Evans
The organisers of the brand new Superprix of Wales, which will take place at Parc y Scarlets next summer, are aiming to attract some of the biggest names in motorsport as they bring Formula 1, Le Mans, British Touring, Rallycross and World Rally cars to Llanelli in 2019.
The motorsports extravaganza will run for three days, between 7-9 June, on a specially designed course that will see cars power around the perimeter and then through the middle of the stadium.
It promises to be an action packaged, high-octane show, with demonstrations, exhibitions, displays, a motor show, trade stands and a food village – and an opportunity to view some of motorsport’s most iconic cars close up, and meet the star drivers.
A host of other events and entertainment will run alongside the Superprix of Wales, such as local bands playing live in concert and a charity ball in aid of The Ray Gravell and Friends Charitable Trust.
The Superprix of Wales might be 11 months away, but it’s already attracted its first big star signing, with international stunt driver Terry Grant confirmed for the event. Grant is the holder of numerous Guinness World Records, and only two weeks ago smashed his own world speed record for driving a car on two wheels over a measured mile – in a time of just 2 minutes 24.5 seconds!
Also there will be Newport’s Steve Griffiths in his immaculate 1989 Camel Lotus Formula 1 car. Griffiths brought the car, which was raced by Satoru Nakajima, to the launch and is pictured standing with it alongside British Touring Car driver Brett Smith (who lives in Swansea) and Llandovery rally driver Cameron Davies.
The organisers of the Superprix of Wales promise that never before has such an incredible collection of motorsport machinery visited Wales, in what they say is a world first for such an event in a Rugby Union stadium.
“This event is the culmination of a number of years hard work and planning,” says event promoter Tim Matthews. “It gives the people of South Wales a unique opportunity to see, hear, smell and get up close to a collection of racing equipment never previously assembled together in this region. To be able to run these machines in and around Parc y Scarlets is fantastic and gives spectators an incredible opportunity to sit in comfort and watch the action with use of all the facilities on offer.
“In particular I would like to take a moment to thank Dave Healey [Stadium Manager] for having the initial vision to enable me to explain what I believed we could do, all the people at the Scarlets for being so friendly and supportive and allowing this to happen, the huge team of people we are bringing on board to provide all the circuit equipment and all the paraphernalia to make this display spectacular and my team of professionals who have ridden the wave that’s culminated in our launch today. It will be a great event for the spectators, a fun event and something novel for the drivers, and I hope the beginning of an annual event for us all.”
“It’s very exciting to hear that an event like the Superprix of Wales is coming to Parc y Scarlets next year,” said rally ace Osian Pryce. “Nothing like this has ever come to Wales before, and to have everything from Formula 1 to World Rally cars driving through a rugby stadium will be an amazing sight and sound. It could be a huge event for Wales, attracting a lot of motorsport fans from around the country to Llanelli. It’s an event I’d very much like to take part in – especially if anyone has a Formula 1 car they’d like to lend me!”