21 October 2014.

Saturday 18th October 2014, Weston-super-Mare, Avon

Words and pictures: Rob McDonnell


Carl Bunce - race winner

Carl Bunce finally got revenge on his season-long adversary Paul Winrow in Saturday’s quad race to retain the Beach Race title he first won last year. Bunce, who was second to Winrow in two championships this season, dominated the three-hour race, leading for most of it, lapping the entire 144 strong field and being the only rider to dip under nine minutes for a lap.


Paul Winrow's race started in pain

Suzuki-mounted Bunce was in no mood to lose, admitting even though his machine was overheating from lap one he just ploughed on. “I didn’t come here to sit in the pits,” said Bunce. “There was no way I wasn’t winning this.” His only set back came on the opening lap when he got caught in traffic, which allowed four-time world enduro champion and former Weston quad race winner David Knight to set the early pace, chased by Steve Atkins.


Several riders 'admire the view' at the top of the biggest dune

However, Atkins race lasted only three laps before a problem struck and Knight, who was having a “fun ride” in a two-person team with Cloe Green, was first caught and then dropped down the order when they swapped riders. ‘Once I got ahead, I was gaining around a minute a lap so once I got it to five, I just took it steady,” said Bunce, whose cause was helped by a massive 22 litre tank which only required one splash-and-dash fuel stop after about two hours.


Carl Bunce starts his 19th and final lap

Second place with 18 laps went to Honda-mounted Winrow, but a crash 150 metres from the start when he was taken out by another rider left him dead last and in pain. “My back’s killing me but at the time the adrenalin just kicked in,” said Winrow. “Once I worked my way up to second I was happy because there was no way I was catching Carl. He was on a mission.”


Jeremie Soyez was a third overall on the big Can-Am

Third, and taking the highest ever finish by a utility quad in the history of the race, was Frenchman Jeremie Soyez who rode an exceptional race on the big 1000cc Can-Am Renegade. Soyez reported, “zero problem” in his fifth start in the race and was absolutely ecstatic at the finish.


Harry Walker took fourth overall, aged just 15!

Fourth overall on 18 laps was an outstanding performance from 15-year-old Harry Walker, making his debut in the adult race. Walker had got a relatively clean run through the first lap mess, but then kept a cool head and rode consistently to peg his way up the top ten.


Shaun Taylor applies a bit of 'emergency' front brake

In fifth overall and the last rider on 18 laps was Bunce’s Rocketman teammate Ant Barrett.


The marshals get filled in by Graham Widdicombe

As well as third overall, Soyez took victory in the 4x4 lass by over a lap from Simon Lang who in turn was 42 seconds ahead of Lloyd Gove. All three rode Can-Am. Victory was particularly sweet for Soyez as he was beaten into second last year by just over a second.


Lap one and some riders, including Richard Smith (87) are already in trouble

The two-rider class was won by the experienced pairing of Ben Morgan and Andy Downes who were 16th overall and who completed 16 laps, despite problems with water in the electrics and the kick-starter. It was a good end to the season for Morgan who has missed most of the racing year after breaking both collarbones in a crash! They finished a lap ahead of the pairing of Smith and Shaw who were in turn, a lap ahead of Knight and Green, who said she thoroughly enjoyed her Weston debut alongside on off-road legend even if they did finish with no brakes and a useless clutch.


Aaron Pole (12) and Kieran Power (30) exchange glances


Enduro star David Knight was on the pace


Marco Zaffino's body language says it all!


Brad Frost ran the entire race in the top ten


Clyde Thompson tackles another sand mountain


Allyn Taylor with a view that almost makes Weston town look nice!


Chris Keitch wheelies through the whoops


From left; Andy Downes, Ben Morgan and Cloe Green on the podium


Early pace setter Steve Atkins ran out of luck early in the race