Twenty-two-year-old Scot Shaun Simpson, who represented Great Britain in last weekend's Motocross Des Nations International team event in Italy, will be out to emulate his father Willie's success in the 26th annual beach race, at Weston, on Sunday.

Simpson senior won the first meeting, in 1983, when there were far fewer entries than the 800 who are scheduled to start in Sunday's three-hour marathon.

One of his main rivals is world and national enduro king David Knight. Others include British motocross champions Stephen Sword and Brad Anderson, Rob Meek, Ipswich KTM star Jake Nichols and Elliott Banks-Browne, from Bury St Edmunds.

Hopes of a West Country win rest on the shoulders of Daryl Bolter (Salisbury), Nick Life (Totnes), Jason Fraser (Truro) and Will Worden (Ivybridge).

Former Bristolian Andy Frost, who emigrated to Australia 18 months ago, loves the challenge of competing so much that he is jetting over from Down Under to ride.

Quads and sidecars take centre stage tomorrow afternoon in a combined three-hour battle against the dunes.

Paul Winrow, from the Midlands, is motocross quad-racer champion and will be hard to beat. His main rivals look like being Will Waggott, Jason Macbeth and Irish ace Justin Reid.

Swindon crew Gary and Craig Burt, Bristol's Malcolm and Clive Shipway and Jon Rutherford and Elliott Brown, from Congresbury, are expected to shine in the sidecar event, but they face Gareth Andrew and George Edyveam, from St Day, in Cornwall, who were second last year.

For the first time, the RHL activities organised weekend is a full three-day event.

Scrutineering of all machines takes place today and there is a welcome party in the afternoon.

Race action commences tomorrow morning at 9.30am, with a youth squad race and a youth solo 65cc event.

The quad and sidecar race gets underway at 12.30pm, followed by a world-record jump attempt by Flyin' Ryan Hughes.

The main solo event on Sunday is preceded by a youth 85cc race and a display by the Red Bull aerobatics team.

Seven members of the Wessex Centre's Mendip Vale club – Andrea and David Cottle, Rob and Tom Pike, Kevin Lennox, Gary Scrivens and Andrew Leahy – plan to scoop the awards in the West of England club's Moor to Sea long-distance trial, in Devon, on Sunday.

One hundred and eighty riders, the most the RAC will allow, are in action in the 88-mile event, that contains 26 observed hills, but those who plan to spectate will have to be early risers, as the first man leaves the start at Decoy, near Newton Abbot, at 8am and he is not due back at the finish until 3pm.

Another important event is the West Wilts club's Errington Cup trial at Easterton Sands, near Devizes, which is a round of the Wessex Centre Championship.

WEEKEND FIXTURES

Weston Beach race weekend itinerary, today: 9am-6pm scrutineering of all machines, 11am-5pm mini-bike racing, 2.30pm-9pm organisers welcome party, 4pm-5pm world record jump set-up

Saturday: 9.30-10.30am youth quad race, 11am-12 noon youth 65cc race, 12.30-3.30pm adult sidecar and quad race, 4pm world record jump attempt

Sunday: 10-11am youth 85cc race, 11.30-12.30 Red Bull Matadors air display team, 12.30-3.30pm adult solo race.

Other Sunday events: Launceston Classic MCC trial, Higher Trenundle, Pipers Pool near Launceston, Cornwall (11am).

West Wilts MCC Errington Cup trial, Folly Woods, Easterton Sands nr Devizes (10.30am).

West of England MCC long distance trial, start and finish Buckland FC HQ, Homers Heath, Decoy, Newton Abbot (8am).

Devon Classic MCC motocross, Widworthy near Honiton (11.30am).

Tiverton MCC trial, Marwoods Farm, Cove near Bampton (10am).