10 things you didn't know about the Weston Beach Race

Thrills and spills: The beach race draws in huge crowds every year Credit: Tim Ireland/ PA

100,000 spectators are expected to descend on Weston-super-Mare this weekend for the annual Motocross event, which will see 1,500 riders battle it out across the Weston dunes.

Every year Weston’s Beach front undergoes a massive transformation to cater for the superstars of motocross, but here are some of facts you might not have heard about:

Chaos as riders try to climb over the infamous Weston dunes Credit: Anthony Devlin /PA

  • The very first Weston Beach Race took place in 1983 which attracted 500 riders. In 2015, 1500 riders will participate in all classes.

  • More 25,000 riders have tackled the infamous Weston dunes in its 34 year history.

  • Riders from 40 different nations have raced at Weston including riders from New Zealand, South Africa and Columbia.

  • The total value of bikes that line up over the weekend is approximately £4 million.

  • Riders have raised more than £35 million pounds for their charities

  • The track build begins 10 days prior to the event and takes 3 days to return to normal.

  • Planning for the following years event starts the day after the race finishes.

  • One lap of the track is around 7km and takes world champion Jeffrey Herlings 12 minutes and the average rider 25 minutes.

  • The course is surrounded by 14km of safety barriers.

  • To create the course, 200,000 ton of sand is moved and shaped into huge obstacles which involves around 55,000 man hours over the course of the weekend.