Margate Beach Cross - 23rd & 24th February 2008

QRA MARGATE BIG SKY BEACH RACE
Event Organised by the QRA UK

Click here for Quad Results or for Solo Results from the weekend

Click Here To See Pete Cobbe's Pictures From The Weekend!!

The 2nd QRA Margate Big Sky Beach race takes place on the 23rd & 24th February and promises to be bigger and better than the first one back in February 2007.

The first event was a big undertaking and responsibility. All the trips to the Kent seaside resort, pre event, for meetings with the town’s officials went very well. Tony Nash commented, ‘It was the Margate Town Partnership who initially made contact with me, asking if we wanted to play on their beach! The way in which the town has been so accommodating has been incredible for our sport. I am so thrilled at the way the first event went and the relationship now formed between the council, town partnership and myself, it can only grow.’

The beach is not the largest in the UK; this however makes the event much more compact and spectacular for both the spectators and competitors. The promenade sweeps all around, up above the beach, providing excellent viewing from above the Margate sands. This means that every inch of the beach can be used for the circuit as only riders and officials have access to this area.

A large section of the promenade road is closed to accommodate the spectators and the fun fair rides, continental market plus this year trade stands and manufacturer displays. The shops, restaurants, cafés and pubs of Margate town are all just metres away from the action. There are many hotels around the Margate and Thanet area, which includes Ramsgate and Broadstairs all just a few miles away from each other.

The event on the 23rd 24th February will again cater for an open class of Solo’s, but several groups for the Quads as this is a good shop window for our sport, with last years official Police figures at 12,000 spectators. This provides a major boost to the local economy and gives us a great play ground.

The track will again be just over 1 mile in length with numerous jumps and turns, laid out to be wide and rideable. Special sand tyres are not allowed, to help keep the track wear consistent. Each competitor will practice on Saturday at 10.30am. After Saturday practice the qualifying heats will take place to determine which class they will compete in, Pro, Expert or Clubman (A, B or C). Then each Quad and the Solo class will have three 15 minute plus 1 lap races. The points from both days will be accumulated to determine the 2008 QRA Margate Big Sky Beach Cross champions. Plus the Grand Finale on the Sunday where the top riders from each Quad class will race together.

In 2007 the class winners were;
Quad Pro Class.
Champion - Stef Murphy - Honda 450 - Oxford.
2nd Liam Cater - Yamaha YFZ 450 – Somerset.
3rd Andrew Davies - K4 Off Road Suzuki 450 – Stourport.

Quad Expert Class.
Champion - Robert Hanks - Suzuki 450 – Rochester.
2nd Kevin Chilcott - Yamaha 450 – Warminster.
3rd Simon Osenton – Nick Davies Suzuki 450 – Rochester.

Solo Open Class.
Champion - Sam Simmons - Yamaha YZF 250 - Worcester Park.
2nd Andre David - Suzuki RM 250 – Romford.
3rd Jamie Arnold - Yamaha 250 – Chatham.

Media interest was excellent last year. We achieved news features on BBC and ITV. The news was broadcast live on the Friday evening from the paddock and numerous radio, newspapers prior and post event again reflects how the area has embraced our sport and the event. The success of last year’s event from spectators to media coverage for the town is another reason why they have not just invited us back for the February event but invited the QRA to run a second event in 22nd 23rd November. The coverage for this year’s event promises to be even more with numerous interviews already taken place.

Already confirmed on the start is 8 times ACU British Quad MX champion and twice QRA Endurance champion Paul Winrow and he will be in good company with the man who has also twice owned the ACU British crown, Irishman Justin Reid. Both men will be debuting their 2008 teams, Winrow Honda racing and Reid for Can Am. Reid’s Can Am DS450 will also be its UK debut.

Under 21 British Champion and European number 3, Paul Holmes from Harrogate, was the winner of the Grand Final on the golden sands in 2007, has confirmed his attendance along with Liam Cater who was flying at Weston Beach race at the end of last year.

The paddock/camping area is in a new location near the sea front on one of the main car parks. The work area has also been moved to the promenade, providing closer contact and better communication to the racing. This new location also means that the track is all above the tide line.

Documentation and technical control takes place on Saturday 23rd at 8 a.m. Practice starts at 10.00 – 10.30 with racing under way at 11.00am both days. The presentation of awards with the town’s dignitaries will take place on the Sunday afternoon as soon as the last race, which will be the Quad Grand Final.

For more information contact Tony Nash – 07774 434468 or visit www.qrauk.com or download further details by clicking here