It’s that time of the year when thousands of spectators will line the Weymouth Esplanade as they watch the exciting Beach motocross action unfold! And in 2024, it’s going to be a very special occasion as the event celebrates its 40th Anniversary. Normally at Weymouth the racing caters for Juniors, Seniors and Experts but this time around there’s also a class for Veteran riders Over 40.
Your first sight of action on Sunday, October 20th will see all of the riders in their respective classes go out onto the specially constructed track for a practice session which is scheduled to commence at 11.30am, immediately then followed by the all-important racing starting at 1pm. There’s a total of eight moto’s to watch so it’s going to be good!
Once again sponsored by Caroline Racing, the Juniors class will be the race which opens the programme and as expected this group as attracted just about a full entry so it’s going to be exceedingly congested and frantic! After winning the 2023 version of the Juniors on what was his Weymouth racing debut, 17-year-old Finley Horn returns to the Dorset sands, this time lining up in the Dirtworx Motocross and Enduro supported Senior’s contest. Finley will be joined by Harry Burton, Chris Johnson, Lee Johnson and Josh Wilson who were all top ten overall Juniors finishers in 2023.
New for 2024 is that Vets Over 40’s Kenny Clothing-BRP Imports contest and it could well prove to be the most exciting of the day as it features two riders who can rightly claim to have been there, done it and got the tee-shirts in the World of motocross! Phil Mercer and Brian Wheeler have raced at the very highest level of the sport and should feature at the front end of the battles at Weymouth!
And so, to the Experts contest in which for the last two years as resulted in victory for Jamie Carpenter ahead of Tommy Alba and Henry Siddiqui. For 2024, both Carpenter and Alba have not entered so Siddiqui will certainly be looking to move up two steps on the podium this time around! Sponsored by Midwest Racing, the main threat could come from Alfie Calvert, Charlie Griffiths, Charlie Putman and Acerbis Amateur Nationals MX2 Champion Josh Waterman. The 2024 Experts will also see the very talented 16-year-old’s Charlie Hucklebridge and Kenzie Cole make their Weymouth debuts whilst previous winner and local lad Jake Shipton returns to action for another slice of sand surfing!
This super event is promoted by the Purbeck MXC in conjunction with the Weymouth and Portland Lions Club. And although as normal you can watch the hot action for FREE, this is a charity event so the Lions Club will be organising their usual bucket collections and producing a special souvenir programme available for purchase. We ask that, if possible, you give generously to support the Lions efforts in raising as much money as possible for the local worthy causes whilst of course enjoying the 2024 Weymouth Beach Motocross!
Words and Images by Mike Wood