Thrills Resort gears up for the return of big race
THOUSANDS of tonnes of sand has been moved around Weston-super-Mare beach to make the course ready for this weekend’s beach race.
A 10-strong team has spent the last 10 days creating the mammoth track along the beach ready for the event.
A huge 220,000 tonnes of sand has been moved to make the course – heralded as the toughest sand track anywhere in the world.
The tallest dune featured in this year’s course measures a staggering 15 metres high and sits at the Royal Sands area of the beach.
A range of different machinery from diggers to excavators is used to make the seven-kilometre course, which includes the famous two-kilometre straight.
Each year the course is tweaked to ensure it is made as challenging as possible for the hundreds of riders who take part.
After the weekend of high octane thrills and spills, the course then has to be flattened and the beach returned to normal within four days.
The race, now in its 38th year, was cancelled in 2020 for the first time in its history – due to the coronavirus pandemic .
RHL Activities, who run the event, has been working with North Somerset Council over the last few months to ensure the event can go ahead this weekend (October 1-3) safely.
The event, which attracts riders and spectators from across Europe, normally attracts crowds of up to 119,000 people over the three days.
But this year, due to the pandemic, its capacity has been reduced to around half of the normal numbers.
North Somerset Council’s executive member for placemaking and economy, councillor Mark Canniford said: “After such a difficult year for the events industry, we’re delighted to see the beach race returning for its 38th year.
“As well as being a fantastic spectacle for the whole family to enjoy, it provides a welcome boost for local businesses at what can often be a quieter time of year.
“Weston has been the home of the beach race for 38 years.
“Our wonderful beach is the perfect location for the event and we look forward to continuing to work with organisers RHL Activities to ensure it returns for many more years to come.”
The event kicks off on Friday with a training day for youngsters competing in the races.
The adult solo race – which lasts three hours – takes place on Sunday.
It is due to start at around 1.15pm, due to the tides.
This year Todd Kellet is back to take on the battle for the adult solo title after taking three back-to-back wins in 2016 to 2018.
With Enduro World Champion Steve Holcombe making a comeback after competing back in his youth, the weekend promises action-packed racing alongside trials demos from Dougie Lampkin and the Danny Butler Extreme Mountainbike team, plus more offtrack things to do and see.