European invaders head for Margate!
By TMX Archives on 8th Mar 11
It's almost that time again for the annual pilgrimage by the competitors, their families and car loads of supporters to Margate from all across the UK and Northern Europe.
The weekend of March 12/13 is the date set for the fifth Margate BeachX weekend which caters for motoross and quad competitors.
The event attracts thousands of spectators on to the sea-front to witness colourful, action-packed racing on the golden Margate sands.
"It's great to be back with the Margate Beach Cross weekend,” commented organiser, Tony Nash. "This event is not just important to the town of Margate and the Thanet area but also for our sport. The months of uncertainty were not pleasant but its great to have had the green light for the event to go ahead again this year.”
Track construction gets underway during the week leading up to the event with the help of plant and machinery from Ovenden's Plant Hire. The circuit layout will be slightly different to previous editions of the race due to the construction of a new Lifeboat Station where the start used to be.
"It's not the biggest beach in the British Isles, I have to admit,” explains Nash, "But the riders enjoy it, the town loves it and we all try and have fun.
"The main aim for this year is to construct the track so it offers more line options. After consultation with the riders, wide straight lines with less switch backs is what I intend to devise and the use of crowd barriers in more places to define the track will allow for a wider track all above the tide line.”
The course will have many jumps to entertain riders and spectators alike. "We don't have to build great big jumps to make it exciting for everyone whichever side of the beach they stand. Its sand and changes all the time, but we want some airtime.”
Last year the Quad class was won by French sand ace Jerome Bricheux and he is coming back to defend his crown, but will be up against 11-times British Quad Cross and five-times QRA British Quad X-Country champion, Paul Winrow, among others with an eye on the prestigious title of ‘Monarch of Margate'.
In the solo motocross class, local hero Sam Holloway from Ramsgate is having a pre-event race of his own. He was injured at work and is struggling to get fit in time for Margate, an event where he is desperate to defend his title of 2010 Beach Cross UK Champion. Sam emerged as top points-scorer and overall champion after the events at Margate and Ramsgate last year.
Even if Sam can get back on track fitness-wise before March 12/13, he will have a lot of competition with several Frenchmen, a Latvian and riders from across the UK all keen to take his title this year.
The event is geared around fun and portraying our sport in a positive light to the many thousands who line the promenade.
This year, for the first time, Youth Solo motocross riders will also line up on the sands.
Action gets underway with timed practice at 10am both days and if the action on the beach makes you want some of your own then a fairground will provide the adrenalin rush you need, backed up with market stalls, trade stands and the town of Margate both old and new with its many shops, restaurants and cafe bars.
The weekend at Margate also kick-starts the 2011 QRA BeachX UK Championship, so not only is the Margate event a standalone event worthy of attending for competitors, it also counts as rounds one and two of the championship.
Round three and four will be at the QRA Gold Rush Beach Cross weekend at Ingoldmells, near Skegness on July 2/3 with rounds five and six at the QRA BeachX weekend back at Ramsgate on October 22/23.
Anyone still wishing to secure an entry at Margate can do so by texting their name and address to the event hotline 07774-434468, or by visiting either – www.bxuk.co.uk or www.qrauk.com – and entering on-line.