With track preparations well underway for this weekend’s RHL Beach Race at Weston-Super-Mare, some of the pro and expert riders came down to try out part of the course at the press day.
With three solo and quad riders taking the time to head out on track, it was a great start to the week’s events, as the riders were able to dial in part of the course. Local press and media personnel came along to interview the riders, which included local-man Tom Church, quad-ace Paul Winrow, 14-year-old rookie rider Keaton Butler, Tommy Alba, youth quad rider Jamie Morgan and British Under 21 quad Champion Stefan Murphy.
“It’s been good to come out with everyone and spend time with the pros today. I think this is maybe the fourth time I’ve done Weston, but this is the first time on the big bike and I’ll be in the Rookie class. The dunes are interesting, it’s quicker to jump them on the bigger bike but it hurts. My plan is to pace myself and stop as few times I can to get a drink and change goggles but you have to keep going and go through the pain. My aim for Weston this year is mainly to finish, and although I’d like to go for the win, I’d be happy with top 15, as most of the guys have trained a lot. I’ve had a few setbacks, as I’ve got a few ankle problems and I’ve been injured this year, but I’m looking forward to riding the Suzuki 125. It’s a fun race but the first lap is really tough and the start is scary. The atmosphere is amazing and it’s a real buzz to ride it. I’d like to thank the Suzuki GB Youth Team and Simon Nicholls from the Grittenham track for all of their help,” said young-gun Keaton Butler.
All riders enjoyed two sessions on track for photo opportunities and had the added bonus of being able to set-up their machines ahead of this weekend’s races.
“Today has been great fun, and a good chance to give the bike a run out before the weekend. It’s been good to get a heads up to see what the track will be like before the race and it seems nice. It’s going to be wet I think, not the actual weather but the ground, so we’ll have to see how it goes and I’m looking forward to Saturday. I’ve won Weston four times before, and I think I’ve competed in it around eight times, although I finished my race in the pits last year. I’ve not had the best season, as I made the decision to quite the British Championship, as although I still enjoy my racing, certain things weren’t working out. I’d like to come back and win the race, but I’m here to enjoy it too. It’s becoming more and more prestigious as there are a lot more competitive riders than there used to be in the quad class, but you need a lot of luck on your side, so fingers crossed it goes my way at the weekend,” said multi-time quad champion, Paul Winrow.
With Paul Winrow, a four-time Weston winner and multi-time British Quad champion will be looking to score highly this weekend, as well as last year’s quad runner-up the 21 year old Stefan Murphy, who is racing both the quad and solo class, Saturday’s quad race is expected to be full of thrills.
“This year I have raced the British Championship this year, I won the Under 21 series and finished fifth in the main series, so it’s been good. I also raced the British Nora MX Championship. In previous years I’ve raced the RHL Beach Race four times and I’ve always finished inside the top 15. In 2009 I finished third, and last year second, so obviously my goal this year is to win it. I’ve always had quite good luck, our bike preparation has always been good and we’ll aim for the same this year. Today has been really good; it’s nice to get a feel of the track, as we don’t really ride sand throughout the year. It’s different from any race we do, and it’s been good to get on the bike and try it out,” said Murphy.
Kawasaki pilot James Dodd also made an appearance, although he won’t be able to participate at this year’s event due to shoulder injuries sustained at Hawkstone Park last weekend. All the riders who took part shared their excitement at the course, which was a little wet today, and it has given them a real insight as they prepare for the event this weekend.
“Today has been really good,” said Director of RHL Activities, Gareth Hockey. “We’ve had the likes of ITV, BBC and the larger local newspapers here; to be able to give them a preview of what we’re doing for this year is really important. It was great to see how this part of the track rides, and also it’s an opportunity for the guys to get everything dialled in for the weekend,” continued Hockey.
“We also had Moto magazine and a few other off-road journalists here, which is great for us as they support the event and it’s also great for me to see the course in action, as we put the final parts in place for this weekend,” concluded Hockey.
More information about the biggest, maddest, baddest and toughest off-road event in the UK can be found by logging on to: www.wbruk.com