Thousands thrilled by bikers at Weston-super-Mare Beach Race weekend

PUBLISHED: 17:30 20 October 2017

Liam Jones

TT Motorcycle competitor and television personality Guy Martin heading for the race start.

Archant

Crowds enjoying the trade stands.

The 35th HydroGarden Weston Beach Race saw around 70,000 racing fans gather on the seafront to enjoy some high-octane, fast-paced competition across the two days.

Classes ranging from quads to over 40s and juniors put on a plethora of thrilling races, while TV personality and motorcycle champion Guy Martin also took part.

Dougie Lampkin and team trials demo.

Staff from event organiser, RHL Activities, and sponsor HydroGarden have sung the praises of the ‘brilliant’ event and have promised to make it ‘bigger and better’ in 2018.

Gareth Hockey, director of event organiser RHL Activities, said: “I’m absolutely blown away.

Young fan enjoying the Beach Race atmosphere.

“This year’s HydroGarden Weston Beach Race is one of the best events we’ve ever done – I can’t wait to come back and do it again.

“Thanks has to go to everyone involved, all of our top riders and of course Guy Martin.

Small Wheel 85cc & Big Wheel 85cc Race

“We’ve got lots of ideas to make it bigger and better for next year, and it’s also great so many top riders are interested in competing here.”

Jonathan Aldridge, HydroGarden managing director, added: “It’s been really good.

Small Wheel 85cc & Big Wheel 85cc Race

“I think for the second time round we could learn all the lessons from last year – it’s not too complicated yet and we’ve come along and tried to do a better job than last year.

“The whole standard of the event has gone up, we’ve managed to match that with what we’ve done, and it’s just made the whole event brilliant.

Small Wheel 85cc & Big Wheel 85cc Race

“It just seems to have been so much better this year than last.”

The beach race also saw success for local talent, as 20-year-old Todd Kellett from Somerset came out on top in the gruelling three-hour adult solo class for the second consecutive year.

Small Wheel 85cc & Big Wheel 85cc Race

He led the rest of the 800-strong field from start to finish, with 39-year-old David Knight finishing second and Northern Ireland’s Martin Barr ending third.

Todd said: “It was absolutely perfect and I’m over the moon.

Small Wheel 85cc & Big Wheel 85cc Race

“I was expecting the traffic, but I felt my technical skill was good enough and I was thankful to be able to negotiate all the riders.

“I can’t wait to go for a hat-trick of wins next year.”

Todd Kellett. Picture: Contributed

Photos of Beach Race 2017. Picture: Clive Furbank

Adult Solo & Over 40's Race

Dougie Lampkin and team trials demo.