It’s loud and lots of fun and it has been dubbed Wacky Races on the beach…The Echo revelas all the planning and hard work that goes into bringing this huge event to the sands and streets of Bridlington.
Race the Waves at Bridlington is the brainchild of Paul Garbutt, who had previously produced classic motorcycle social gatherings under his event name Backfire – Feel the Noise.
Here is the story behind one of the biggest vintage motor racing events that is hosted in Bridlington.
Backfire Promotions created the unique Race The Waves & Steampunk Weekend following an inaugural trial held in September 2018 as part of The Bridlington Weekend of Motoring.
This Retro-Style Motoring event draws on influences from the early 1900s Motoring Speed Events, held on the Yorkshire Coast Beaches & the Post War AmericanHot-Rodders.Retro- Style allows for the inclusion of many later constructions and especially custom builds.
The beach element for the weekend is supported by the organisers of the very successful Whitby Steampunk Weekend, who transform The Royal Hall within Bridlington’s Spa into a free to enter Steampunk Emporium. There are the finest purveyors of Steampunk, Alternative, Goth and Lifestyle interests to delight visitors. Live Entertainment – Tearooms’ and Bars, all interspersed with displays of Classic Motorcycles & Scooters.
‘Race the Waves’ comprises a Retro-Theatre of Automotion held on Bridlington’s South Shore beach, featuring: vehicles running in pairs along the firm tidal Yorkshire sand from a ‘flagged start’. The elevated South Shore Promenade makes the perfect viewing platform for the beach activities together with offering easy access for the visitor to engage with the stall holders and displays positioned
Thousands of people, including many Continental visitors, lined the Bridlington South foreshore over the two days in June 2019 to enjoy this unique UK Spectacle.
Race the Waves ethos is being inclusive and taking part, where everyone involved, from the audience to the beach entrants, gives of themselves to create an engaging atmosphere.
The Backfire Promotions invitation to run vehicles along Bridlington South beach is a privilege not bestowed lightly on those we wish to engage.
It will be virtually 100 years to the day when Sir Malcolm Campbell achieved an unofficial World Land Speed Record of 138mph on a Yorkshire beach at Saltburn and also in the same month, Bridlington hosted their Motor Speed Trials on Bempton Short Lane.
Everyone who takes part in this motoring extravaganza are all winners. They have all made an enormous effort and contribution to be with us, and the riders and drivers on the beach have to conquer a playing field which Mother Nature alone has served us for our torment, until she retrieves it once more beneath her briny veil. Race the Waves at Bridlington is indeed a phenomenon within the UK motoring calendar and our greatest wish is to encourage the next generation of auto enthusiasts.
Ladies and Gentlemen, wevalue our event visuals and the resulting photography, therefore retro attire is of paramount importance for our beach engagement and our audience is actively encouraged towards a retro dress code too.
Please remember we are dependent upon the tides; therefore, we ask you to appreciate we will be settling up the beach until late morning.
