It’s that time of the year when thousands of spectators will line the Weymouth Esplanade as they watch the exciting Weymouth Beach Race action unfold so take a read of the Preview and get the event info! And in 2024, it’s going to be a very special occasion as the event celebrates its 40th Anniversary. Normally at Weymouth, the racing caters for Juniors, Seniors and Experts, but this time around, there’s also a class for Veteran riders Over 40.
Words and Image by Mike Wood
Your first sight of action on Sunday, October 20th will see all of the riders in their respective classes go out onto the specially constructed track for a practice session which is scheduled to commence at 11.30am, immediately then followed by the all-important racing starting at 1pm. There’s a total of eight moto’s to watch so it’s going to be good!
Once again, sponsored by Caroline Racing, the Juniors class will be the race which opens the programme, and as expected, this group has attracted just about a full entry, so it’s going to be exceedingly congested and frantic! After winning the 2023 version of the Juniors on what was his Weymouth racing debut, 17-year-old Finley Horn returns to the Dorset sands, this time lining up in the Dirtworx Motocross and Enduro supported Senior’s contest. Finley will be joined by Harry Burton, Chris Johnson, Lee Johnson, and Josh Wilson, who will all be in the top ten overall Junior finishers in 2023.
New for 2024 is the Vets Over 40’s Kenny Clothing-BRP Imports contest, and it could well prove to be the most exciting of the day as it features two riders who can rightly claim to have been there, done it and got the tee-shirts in the World of motocross! Phil Mercer and Brian Wheeler have raced at the very highest level of the sport and should feature at the front end of the battles at Weymouth!
And so, to the Experts contest in which for the last two years has resulted in victory for Jamie Carpenter ahead of Tommy Alba and Henry Siddiqui. For 2024, neither Carpenter nor Alba will have entered, so Siddiqui will undoubtedly be looking to move up two steps on the podium this time round! Sponsored by Midwest Racing, the main threat could come from Alfie Calvert, Charlie Griffiths, Charlie Putman and Acerbis Amateur Nationals MX2 Champion Josh Waterman. The 2024 Experts will also see the very talented 16-year-olds Charlie Hucklebridge and Kenzie Cole make their Weymouth debuts whilst previous winner and local lad Jake Shipton returns to action for another slice of sand surfing!
The Purbeck MXC promotes this super event in conjunction with the Weymouth and Portland Lions Club. Although you can watch the hot action for FREE, this is a charity event, so the Lions Club will be organising their usual bucket collections and producing a special souvenir programme available for purchase. We ask that you give generously to support the Lions’ efforts in raising as much money as possible for the local worthy causes while, of course, enjoying the 2024 Weymouth Beach Motocross!
For more info on the Weymouth Beach Race go to >> https://www.facebook.com/beachmotocross
