It’s the final build up to the 2019 Weston Beach Race, which takes place this weekend in Weston-Super-Mare, and as the course build nears completion the scene is set for a bumper yet bonkers event filled with great racing and entertainment. Many star riders will be this year’s incredible race including the likes of Carl Fogarty, James Hillier, Billy Bolt, Dougie Lampkin and motocross character Ronnie Mac.
From fairground rides to Paul Hannam’s quad stunts, Lampkin’s trials skills and Danny Butler’s Extreme Mountain bike show, the list of off-track fun at the Weston Beach Race is as exciting as it is diverse. This, combined with some of the world’s best athletes racing against the amateurs on the famous dune course, means that the 37th running of the Weston Beach Race is going to be a thrilling one for all of the family. Saturday’s line-up features the 65cc, 125/250cc and Quadzilla Quad and Sidecar classes, whilst Sunday enjoys the 85cc big wheel and small wheel categories along with the adult main solo race.
In the junior races there’s plenty of talent to check out as the stars of tomorrow take on the super-tough beach course in a bid to stamp their mark in Weston’s beach race history. Many of the UK’s best dirtbike young guns will be looking to take the title and mark a positive end to their racing seasons, while cutting their teeth in the ruts of the Weston-Super-Mare sand. The likes of Freddie Gardiner, Sam Atkinson, Jens Walvoort, Louie Kessell and Jack Lindsay are all riders to watch in the 65cc, 85cc small wheel and big wheel plus the 125/250 junior categories.
In the Quadzilla Quad and Sidecar race, reigning quad category champion Harry Walker is fired up and looking to retain his title, but he’ll need to beat a number of quality riders in a race where anything can happen. Carl Bunce will surely be competitive along with six-time winner and multi-time champion Paul Winrow, who returns to the race at the beach after a four-year hiatus. Steve Atkins has won the 4x4 quad category in the last few years and is ready for battle again whilst also aiming to be up the rankings with the race quads. The Sidecar class is always an interesting race to watch – especially with world championship Sidecarcross racers Brown/Millard joining in the fun this year.
Sunday’s solo race is a hair-raising highlight of the Weston Beach Race weekend. With over 1,000 starters thundering down the 2.5km straight, the gruelling three-hour race is a huge battle of man and machine as they tackle the house-sized dunes with both amateur and professional riders taking part. The competition is wide open this year with the likes of World Enduro Super Series Champion Billy Bolt lining up against arch-rival and motocross-ace Mel Pocock with the win in focus, as both racers attempt the race for a second time having finished third and fourth last year. David Knight is a six-time Weston winner – his first was 20 years ago in 1999 – with his most recent podium result a hard-fought runner-up spot back in 2017. The Isle of Man resident will definitely be looking to be in with a chance of a win, as will many of the beach race experts that come here year upon year. Steven Clarke, Jamie Law, Matt Burrows, Stuart Edmonds, Carlton Husband and Jamie Wainwright are all names to look out for, while Honda will be announcing their new team rider on Sunday morning ahead of the solo race.
Motocross character Ronnie Mac from Oklahoma, USA, who believes he’s the world’s fastest racer, will be certain to put on a show for the crowds – he’s already spent some time showing his wheelie skills today. North West 200 race winner and Isle of Mann TT winner James Hillier is another notable name here this weekend racing for the first time and the Kawasaki-star is relishing in the challenge of the thrills, spills and bonkers competition that this world-famous event brings. In addition, Carl Fogarty will be at the Weston Beach Race for the first time to experience the thrilling racing and meet the fans – as will all the star riders with signing sessions throughout the weekend.
“We’ve been here some time preparing for the 37th Weston Beach Race and having had our media event today where some of our star riders have been out on the beach, we just can’t wait to go racing. The course build is almost complete with huge dunes and an interesting layout awaiting the over 1,400 riders that will line-up to take on the challenge,” said Director of RHL Activities, Gareth Hockey.
“We’ve had so much support this year from major brands and the off-road industry, so to see the build-up taking place and the action begin is really exciting; we’re passionate about creating a fun weekend for all of the family. We’ve got some big names here with some high-quality riders in both the Quadzilla Quad and Sidecar class as well as in the Solos, along with the likes of ‘King of the Jungle’ and mult-time World Superbike Champion Carl Fogarty joining in the fun - but it’s the amateurs and fans that truly make this event the spectacle that it is. We look forward to a fantastic weekend full of entertainment and great racing in Weston-Super-Mare.”
Tickets are available on the gate – the event takes place on Saturday and Sunday on the seafront in Weston-Super-Mare.