Weston Beach Race is notorious for its carnage and fantastic racing on track, especially during the adult solo race. With just over 1000 riders taking on the dunes in the solo class it may be hard to know where to watch from, let alone who to look out for.
Words and Images by RHL Activites
Last year, the adult solo race was won by Todd Kellet, who will be returning this year to try and take the record of most titles at the beach from David Knight. In 2021, we saw 2019 Champion Ashley Greedy on the Kawasaki and Mel Pocock on the KTM contend against Kellet for the title, unfortunately, the pair came up short and finished second and third respectively. This year we will see Conrad Mewse, Todd Kellett and Ashley Greedy contend for the 2022 title, will this be the year that Kellett takes a record number of wins at the Beach Race, or will someone else spoil the coronation and steal the crown?
As you may or may not know, within the adult solo class there is an Over 40s category. This title was rightfully won by Derry Milling in 2021 who came 45th in the overall results on a KTM, just 5 laps behind overall winner Todd Kellet. Second spot went to hard charging Tim Forman on his BETA followed closely by Ryan Bawn on a Honda, both riders also completing 16 laps in total and came within the top 100 of the overall result.
During the Saturday of the event, by far one of the most spectacular races to watch takes place, the Quad race. This race is separated into four classes; Quad Solo, Two Man Quad, 4×4 Quad and Sidecars. In the very popular Quad class, we saw Jamie Morgan from Usk who completed an impressive 19 laps on a Honda, nearly ten minutes ahead of second place and two-time quad winner Carl Bunce on his Yamaha, the two being the only riders in the class to complete 19 laps. In third place was Robert Bell, again on Honda. We will see Jamie Morgan take on the beach again this year to see if he can take the win for a third time.
In the Two Man Quad class we saw Sam Clowes and Pete Henson from Somerset take a thrilling win after coming third in 2019. One lap behind them was the Twine/ Gregory team again hailing from Somerset who in 2019 came 80th overall. In third was the Jones/ Jones team from Welshpool on the Canam who also completed 16 laps.
In the 4×4 quad class we saw Steve Atkins add another Weston Beach Race title to his collection after previously winning in 2018 and 2019. Coming in close second was Stuart Marley, also completing 18 laps. Third place went to Graham Guy who also completed 18 laps in what was a close fought race with all top three riders riding Canam machines. Last but not least of the quad categories is the Sidecar class, where we saw Farringdon based duo Hunt/Williams take a dominant victory, two laps ahead of second place storming the class completing a total of 16 laps. Thatcham duo Stokes/ Townsend Battled finished second closely followed by the Manning/ Rogers duo who finished third, both teams completed 14 laps in amongst the carnage.
Delving into the youth races we can see some future stars starting to blossom. In the 250cc class, 2021 Revo ACU British Champion Alfie Jones finished his youth career off by winning the Beach Race 58 seconds ahead of eventual 125cc winner Samuel Hughes. Jones took the win ahead of British Championship title rival Tyler Westcott who finished second overall, Leon Williams grabbed third spot and rounded off the 250cc podium. The racing was tight in the 125cc class with Samuel Hughes managing to come out on top, closely followed by Charlie Palmer and Bailey Johnston. The top 3 riders were all covered by a minute finishing on the same lap, an impressive feat at the Weston Beach Race. It is likely we will see these compete in the adult solo class this year, so make sure to keep an eye out for them.
This year we will see the 85cc class take to the track just before the Adult solo class on the Sunday. This class will be separated into 2 categories, the 85cc Big Wheel (BW) class and the 85cc Small Wheel (SW) class. Previously, in 2021 the BW85cc podium was dominated by British championship riders. The man coming out on top was Bam Bam Billy Askew who rounding off what was already an impressive motocross season. Second spot went to Ben Mustoe who was closely followed home by Ollie Bubb taking third. The SW85 class is again intense, and well worth keeping an eye on. 2021 saw Reece Jones take home the spoils grabbing himself the SW Weston title ahead of Chester Hyde and Drew Stock who rounded out the podium. This 85cc overall class will be one to watch in 2022 with these talented youngsters ready to take on the beach once more.
The 65cc class promises to be a favourite with the spectators again this year as they are our youngest competitors to take on the beach. These feisty talented youngsters are the future of our sport and the future of the beach race providing exciting chaotic racing to the sand. In 2021 we saw British Championship rider Alfie Geddes-Green take the win completing one more lap than second place finisher Jenson Severn with third place went to youngster James Gittins.
Tickets
Pay on the Day
Adult Weekend £60.00
Child Weekend (Aged 4 to 12) £10.00
Family Weekend (2 Adults & 2 Children) £140.00
Adult Saturday £25.00
Child Saturday (Aged 4 to 12) £5.00
Family Saturday (2 Adults & 2 Children) £60.00
Adult Sunday £25.00
Child Sunday (Aged 4 to 12) £5.00
Family Sunday (2 Adults & 2 Children) £60.00
Timetable
Saturday 22nd October
Youth 125 / Open – 09.00 to 10.30 – 1 hour 30 minutes long race
Youth 65cc – 11.00 to 12.15 – 1 hour 15 minutes long race
Adult Quad & Sidecar – 13.00 to 16.00 – 3 hours long race
Sunday 23rd October
Youth 85SW / 85BW – 10.00 to 11.30 – 1 hour 30 minutes long race
Adult Solo – 13.00 to 16.00 – 3 hours
The Track
Parking
With North Somerset Council unable to accommodate spectator parking on the beach.
RHL Activities have secured a partnership with Weston Cricket Club to offer spectators the opportunity to have hassle free parking at the Weston Beach Race on October 22nd and 23rd, where you can pre book a parking space and pick up your event tickets from the Weston Cricket Club welcome office so when you get to the event site you can gain access to the site quickly with no queuing.
The Weston Cricket Club is a short 10 to 15 minute walk from the event entrance, with the Cricket Club offering parking from 6.30am to 7.00pm where you can pick up a bacon butty and hot drink from their onsite café between the hours of 6.30am to 11.00am. There will also be a cash machine at the welcome office of the Cricket Club.
For just £10 a day (Car) or £15 a day (Van or for vehicles larger than a SWB Transporter size) you can know that arriving to the event there is a space waiting for you to park without the hassle of having to find a spot within the local car parks.
The full address of the Cricket Club is: Devonshire Road, Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset, BS23 4NY
(Please note there is no spectator parking this year on the Beach)
Disabled Parking – There is limited disabled parking available at the event on the seafront along Marine Parade.
