Mablethorpe Sand Racing
7 April 2025
Visiting the Lincolnshire coast for leisure on a sunny Sunday is something that has been happening since Victorian times. The popularity of this traditional pilgrimage to the miles of golden sands has not diminished over the years. Last weekend, Mablethorpe was packed with people, with the promenade along the sea front being the destination of choice, but why? The Mablethorpe Sand Racing Club was holding its last meeting of the year.
This ever-popular free-to-watch motorsport event had drawn the crowds in. The spectacular weather for this time of the year helped a lot. As did all of the sea-front shops and restaurants being open. If you have read any of my many previous reports about the beach racing, you will understand why this makes me happy.
The consumption of fish and chips is mandatory for me when visiting the English coast. My second obligatory task when the sand racing is on is taking motorsports photography. Arriving just before the racing started and seeing the size of the crowds, the chip shop took priority. The racing was not due to start until 11:00 due to the tide, so an early lunch it was.
Once lunch had been consumed, the three of us that had made the trip to Mablethorpe set off to find a good spot to view the action. Georgie, who we are mentoring, grabbed a high-vis as she was off to the middle of the race track. A simple oval marked out with plastic posts, as a photographer who is shooting spectator-side, you don’t have many options.
Sand Racing at Mablethorpe, locations.
The track being an oval doesn’t offer you many different shooting locations. You can go to one or the other end of the oval or stand on the promenade. Myself and RPW headed for the far end of the track. The sun was to our back and as the tide had just gone out, this part of the beach was very wet.
Not a problem for walking on but put a monopod on the wet sand and you could feel it sinking. The soft sand resulted in my panning photography not being up to my usual standard.
I still managed some nice pictures but nothing spectacular. If I were to do this regularly a small flat plastic plate on the wet sand might help.
Moving to the promenade as the sun came round I found plenty of room amongst the crowds. Some had come along just to watch the racing setting out camping chairs to sit on. This was perfect for me as I could shoot over their heads. Other spectators would watch a few races then move along. Spots popped up frequently allowing me to try different angles to take my photos.
However, there are only so many panning pictures you can take before it comes repetitive. The paddock is interesting but out of bounds to the public. With a long lens you can get a few interesting shots while walking around the outside. So this is what I did.
There are a few other spots where you can get a decent photo. One location is on what looks to be an effluent out flow pipe covered in concrete, nice! This was the spot I wanted to capture some extreme action shots so spent some time there.
Sand Racing at Mablethorpe, features.
The highlight of the meeting for me is the speedway bikes. They don’t always turn up to every meeting but Arran Butcher was putting on a show for the last event of the year. And what a show, he was on full send into the corners.
The speed he was maintaining through the corners was spectacular. It takes years of practice to be that good. It was a privilege watching him in close up through my camera as he adjusted his body, throttle and lean angle. One thing you must be aware of with these bikes racing on the sand is there are no brakes.
Arran wasn’t the only skilful rider out there on the sand. There were plenty of experienced sand racers putting on the style for the spectators. Most were on adapted motocross bikes. There are loads of different classes from road to mini bikes. The smallest bikes had the smallest riders. The youngsters are still learning their craft and were very slow compared to the adult classes. Still interesting to watch but I didn’t take many pictures.
If you want to see motorsport action, sand racing is a great sport to watch. The racing comes thick and fast all day. The races are over quickly, a few laps and the riders are done. The next set of riders will line up in parallel in front of an elastic rope, this is released to start the next race. Boing, race, repeat.
Sand Racing at Mablethorpe, summery.
So that’s the last sand racing event of the year from the Mablethorpe club done and dusted for the 2024/25 season. We are not a report service we just like to take photos. However, if you would like to see the results for this season head over to the Mablethorpe Sand Racing Club website.
Congratulations to all of the riders on a great season racing on the sand. A special thanks must go to the organisers and support staff for putting on such a fantastic show during the bleak winter months. We will be back at the end of this year when the 2025/26 season starts again to enjoy some flat out, turn left action on the sands of Mablethorpe beach.
