About the event
About Sandown Sprint
The objective for the Sandown Sprint was to bring sunshine, sea air and speed together for an exhilarating weekend of action. It achieved this for three years between 2022 and 2024.
The Sandown Sprint was the first motorsport event planned by local businessman Tim Addison. He had approached the IW Car Club with the concept in 2017 and it was agreed initially to aim for a first event in March 2020. This was unfortunately postponed due to the nationwide coronavirus lockdown in 2020 and again in 2021. The inaugural Island Car Centre Sandown Sprint was run over 2nd & 3rd April 2022.
The first Isle of Wight sprint delivered a weekend of exhilarating fun, perfect for the whole family set against the spectacular backdrop of Bembridge Down. Spectators enjoyed unparalleled views of all the action from spectator viewing areas along the esplanade and in the Browns enclosure.
After three successful years running the Island Car Centre Sandown Sprint, the event organisation was offered to the Isle of Wight Car Club in 2025. The Club was not able to run an event in 2025 and 2026, but has announced that the Sprint will return for 2027. The Sandown Sprint name has been dropped and it will now be called the IOW Sprint (or Isle of Wight Sprint). For news and updates of the IOW Sprint, please refer to the Car Club website.
History of motorsport on the Isle of Wight
There were once regular speed trials and rallies held on the Isle of Wight up until the late 1950s, including some based in Sandown, but ever since the national speed limits were imposed on UK public roads, motor racing had effectively been outlawed on anything but private land; such as hill climbs, motor racing circuits and other speed venues. There are, of course, some famous exceptions such as Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man, which both have slightly different legal systems.
Well-remembered events like the Cascade sprint in Ventnor held in the 1950s would likely have had permission from the Chief Constable. But it was a bit of a grey area in law.
The Sandown Sprint was a milestone for motorsport on the Isle of Wight. It was held for three consecutive years:
2nd & 3rd April 2022
25th & 26th March 2023
20th & 21st April 2024
Full entry lists and results for all three Sandown Sprints can be found here.
Since 2017 it has been possible to apply for a Motor Racing Order from the local authority as long as it has been sanctioned by Motorsport UK, the governing body for motor racing in this country. In November 2017 Tim Addison approached the Isle of Wight Car Club with a proposal to host a closed public road sprint on the Isle of Wight. The Club would be the Motor Sport UK race event organiser. Culver Parade in Sandown was the venue put forward by Tim, as it has the advantage of a large seawall to provide a spectator vantage point.
Working together, the organisers have since consulted with stakeholders in the area as well as with a number of key organisations, including the Isle of Wight Council, Sandown Town Council and Island Roads. With an enormous amount of positivity and encouragement, the process of organising the Island Car Centre Sandown Sprint was started.
Farnborough and District Motor Club worked closely with the Isle of Wight Car Club to assist with hosting the motorsport aspects of the event, thanks to their experiences and knowledge. After almost two years of discussions and negotiations with Motor Sport UK the organisers successfully applied for its first event permit in the summer of 2019.
Although the national pandemic lockdown cancelled the 2020 and 2021 proposed dates, the organisers were able to then apply to the local authorities for a Motor Racing Order. Both the Isle of Wight Council and Island Roads were very helpful in this process.
Isle of Wight Speed Trials Ltd was the event promoter, working with the Isle of Wight Car Club ,as the local MSUK licenced race club organiser ,to produce and run the Sandown Sprint. The Sprint was one of the first speed events to run on closed public roads in England under the new regulations.
The Isle of Wight Speed Trials returned motorsport back to the roads of the Isle of Wight with the Sandown Sprint.
About Sandown
Sandown is a truly traditional beach resort which is a delightful bay on the south east coast of the Isle of Wight, the ideal location for any family holiday. With its gently sloping sandy beaches, miles of coastline, blue sea and great choice of attractions and places to eat, Sandown is without doubt one of the best beach resorts on the Isle of Wight.
Blessed with miles of golden coastline and a great number of accommodation establishments taking full advantage of the beautiful sea views. Whether you’re looking for a full board hotel with excellent pool and spa facilities, a quaint little bed and breakfast or self catering cottages just steps from the beach.
