GREENOCK will NOT be hosting the P1 Powerboat event next year — after race organisers pulled the plug on the UK.

Inverclyde has been a venue for the championships for the last two years, with around 30,000 people attending June’s event at the Esplanade.

Councillors had recently voted in favour of shelling out around £200,000 — split between the council and Riverside Inverclyde — to bring it back again in 2018.

But for the first time since the series was launched in 2011, there will be no racing on British waters next year.

Promoters P1 say they are focusing their efforts on developing the USA championship in 2018 alongside plans to develop the sport in Asia.

Managing director Robert Wicks said: “P1 SuperStock has enjoyed seven great years in the UK but our focus needs to switch to new markets as the business evolves.”