It was thrill-a-minute, action-packed, high-octane excitement as Margate main sands became a battlefield for quad bike and moto-cross racers.

The competitive season curtain-raiser attracted more than 70 riders from all parts of the UK and abroad who fought to master the challenging circuit against the panoramic backdrop of the town’s harbour and beach.

British champion Paul Winrow took the pro-quad class title for the second year at Margate, with Stefan Murphy from Oxford, second, and Jerome Bricheux from France, third.

In the expert quad class Richard Horton from Rochester took the honours, while Oliver Drabble from Charlwood won the youth section.

Croydon’s Daniel Tilley won the rain-swept moto-cross dash for cash final on Sunday afternoon, with Frenchman Bricheux home first in the quad competition.

Race director Tony Nash from the British Quad Association said: ”Once again the Margate Big Sky beach cross tournament surpassed our expectations. The level of support from the district council, Margate Town Partnership, the traders and residents was excellent, and all the competitors mentioned how much they had enjoyed the weekend. It is a major fixture in our race calendar and we will be back next March.”