SUPERFAST vessels look set to whizz back into Greenock next year for the Powerboat P1 Grand Prix of the Sea UK Championships.

Councillors yesterday voted in favour of co-hosting the spectacular event again next summer with partners Riverside Inverclyde.

They also agreed to consider hosting the event in 2018 - subject to a report following next year’s event.

In a report to the committee, senior director Aubrey Fawcett, said the two day spectacular off the Esplanade in June had proved a huge success.

He said: “The inaugural P1 Scottish Grand Prix of the Sea event was highly successful, achieving all of its agreed aims in terms of audience attendance, despite the weather on the Sunday, and as an opportunity to showcase Inverclyde.”

Mr Fawcett added: “If agreed to host in 2017, the P1 Scottish Grand Prix of the Sea will help continue the work of cementing Inverclyde’s reputation as the Marine Leisure Capital of Scotland.”

The report states that the summer event generated just under £900,000 for the area.

This included £529,100 directly from spectators while the 385 strong P1 event team spent £370,199, a large portion of which went on accommodation, hospitality and events operations in the area.

To host next year’s event, both Inverclyde Council and Riverside Inverclyde plan to each invest £100,000.

The council has proposed using £50,000 from the allowance originally allocated for the procurement of a car park in Greenock town centre, while the remaining £50,000 would come from the a reserve fund.

The loal authority will now work with Riverside Inverclyde and P1 to take the race plans forward.