by Martin Jefferies

Formula One returns to the deserts of Bahrain this weekend but
all eyes were on Margate on Saturday and Sunday, as the town hosted
its very own sandy spectacle of speed.

Thousands of fans packed the promenade to watch Europe's top
quad bike and motocross riders battle it out in the opening rounds
of the 2010 Beach Cross Championship.

The Main Sands were transformed into a temporary 1.5-mile race
track, complete with spectacular dune jumps and tight, twisty
chicanes.

Race organiser Tony Nash said: "The response from the riders and
the local community was absolutely fantastic.

"There was some really stiff competition in 2010 and the event
is now recognised across Europe as one of the best. Jérôme brought
a few of his friends with him from France for this year's race and
we had a couple of guys from Czechoslovakia and South Africa as
well, so there was a real international flavour to the
weekend."