Knighter Dominated RHL Weston Beach Race

WORLD E3 Enduro Champion David Knight, who has won the Weston Beach Race four times, took the title once again on Sunday.

The all round racer who first won the Weston in 1999 took first place in the main solo race lapping the 500 riders, apart from second place finisher Jamie Lewis.

Knighter secured the win by 7:22:57 and completed 22 laps of the four and a half mile course in the three hour race.

As always he meant business and shot out the gate early on and was eager to pull a lead in the opening stages.

He was tackled by youngster Scott Elderfield who briefly took the lead for some of the opening lap but this was short lived when he used full power of the second lap.

Knighter, 32, was over the moon with his fourth solo win.

He said: "I can honestly say that's the first Beach Race I've had without any major bike problems.

“My KTM run so smooth it was just mega, I couldn't have asked for more from them.

“The smallest thing I had was a dragging clutch for a bit but that seemed to sort itself out.

“It was mega fun out there, the weather was awesome and the track was great.

“I would like to thank Gareth Hockey and all involved for the work that they have put into this over the past year after the problems that they had last year, it can't have been easy but it was fantastic this year and pleased for him and his team.

“Hopefully I'll be back again next year to have another shot at it."

Second placed man was secured by Welshman Jamie Lewis.

He said: "I'm a bit gutted not to have been able to push Knighter a little harder but he is an exceptional rider and rode very well.

“I had a really good race, the track was mega and I managed to get a good start. “I had gear box problems and I got stuck in fourth gear for the final few laps so I had to try and nurse her home without doing any more damage.

“It was a hard race and I hope I'm getting nearer and nearer to that win that I so desperately want."

Luke Hawkins took third place at the age of 16, never having competed in the Weston Beach Race before.

He said "I can't believe I finished on the podium the first time here I wasn't expecting that at all.

“I'd set myself a realistic target of top ten so to get on the box is unreal.

“I thought I would struggle with the time but I only really started to get tired in the final few laps.

“The track is unreal and I tried not to do anything stupid and just get my head down and get on with it.

“I really enjoyed the whole thing and pleased I got such a good result for all the people that have helped me this year, it's a good way to end the season."

CCM rider Tom Church suffered a bike problem in the closing stages of the race having been in second position for the majority of the race and went out.  

Another motocross rider who was left disappointed was twice British Champion Josh Coppins, who suffered bike problems in the opening lap.

The established motocross rider was riding his last race on European soil before returning home to New Zealand.

He said: "I'm gutted as I really wanted to go back to New Zealand with a complete Weston under my belt, this was my third time and my second DNF and the race I did finish was cut short.

“The bike was suffering a misfire after the first lap, we managed to clear the problem but only briefly and I managed three more laps after that before I had to retire."

Top road racer on the day was Chris Walker in 11th place and Ty Kellett who made a stunning return after his crash last year finished in 38th place on his 125.

RHL Promoter Gareth Hockey said: "This year was a big test for us and how we run the Beach Race.

“We couldn't have asked for better and I would just like to extend a huge thank you to all the people who have supported RHL over the past year, the riders, fans, marshals and everyone who has helped make this happen this year.

“I hope it has put a few things to rest and that everyone enjoyed themselves and had a good weekend and will come back in 2011.”

Adult Solo Top Ten Results

 

David Knight    KTM

Jamie Lewis   Honda

Luke Hawkins   Honda

Aaron Poolman    KTM

Daniel McCanney

Jamie McCanney

Rick De Feu Kawasaki

Joe Jones   KTM

Tom Healey KTM

Nigel Kibble     Honda