Three-time HydroGarden Weston Beach Race 4x4 quad class winner Steve Atkins has arranged to bring ATV star Bryan Buckhannon from the USA to line-up in the ultra-tough, three-hour quad race to compete in the 4x4 category as part of this year’s event, which takes place on October 13-15 in Weston-Super-Mare.
Atkins recently raced in the USA with Buckhannon, and the duo swapped opportunities so that the American-star could try out the ultimate British off-road battle at the HydroGarden Weston Beach Race, and will supply him with 1000cc Can-Am machinery. Atkins predicts this eight-time GNCC ATV champion, who also competes on a Can-Am, will be the favourite for the 4x4 class win and perhaps even the overall.
“I went to America and Brian Buckhannon is coming over from the states to ride. He’s eight times GNCC champion and he’s going to ride one of my bikes as he let me borrow one over there. We’re both looking to go for it,” said Atkins.
“He should be a good contender to win the 4x4 class, and maybe even overall. He’s an exceptional rider. I just can’t wait for the weekend to get started, I love how tough it is and the three-hours of battling.”
Atkins started his racing career at the HydroGarden Weston Beach Race, where he believes he finished his first event in around 32nd place. The Somerset rider went on to race in the British Enduro Championship where he competed against the likes of Paul Winrow, and won the national series a number of times.
Having enjoyed a variety of results on a race bike, despite the victory eluding him on the sands of Weston-Super-Mare, Atkins turned his attentions to racing 4x4 machines, where he’s enjoyed success on three occasions.
“I race a 1000cc Can-Am in the 4x4 class. I’ve won in that class before. I’ve tried on a race bike, and had every result except the win from second to seventh. I’ve won on the four-wheel drive three times. I just love it at the HydroGarden Weston Beach Race. I prefer it when it’s more extreme, like when I first started back in 2004, it was really challenging, it’s more set-up to keep everyone moving, and fair play to the organisers as it’s better in general to keep things flowing. But I just love it, I wish it was starting tomorrow,” concluded Atkins.
The duration of the race is what makes it so special according to Atkins, as many riders begin to falter past the two-hour mark and those remaining really have to dig deep to the finish. We’re looking forward to seeing both Atkins and Buckhannon battling it out for 4x4 glory in October!
For more information, entries and tickets please visit:
www.westonbeachrace.com