David Knight was reasonably satisfied with sixth position in the end-of-season showpiece Weston-Super-Mare Beach Race on Sunday.

In his competition return from a back and neck injury, he rode a relatively unfamiliar 450 Suzuki to a solid finish, claiming the over-40s class win.

Holding onto second place for the mid-part of the race, he was the last rider not to be lapped by three-time winner Todd Kellett of Somerset on the Verde Substance KTM.

’I got away from the start well but got stuck about 200 metres after that on the very first dune before the start straight,’ said David.

’I fell back onto someone’s spinning rear wheel and tore a load of skin off my backside, but I wasn’t too worried.

’There was a lot of carnage on the second lap so I just let things settle down.

’I felt like I was riding well during the first hour, but after my first fuel stop my neck seized solid. I couldn’t look ahead like I needed to - I couldn’t lift my head up.

’During the last hour and 20 minutes I was just circulating, I had nothing left. I felt it during the last few laps but other than that I really enjoyed it.

’The track was spot on, I survived, my bike didn’t miss a beat, so all’s good.’

Isle of Man Centre road race champion Ryan Cringle finished a good 58th on his Suzuki, four laps down on the winner and four places ahead of TT regular Martin Jessopp, with Will Quirk of Peel 332nd, but Adrian Smith retired after nine laps. A field of 852 riders started.

An estimated record number of 83,000 spectators watched the 36th edition of the HydroGarden-sponsored event.

Ryan Quirk of Peel finished a fine eighth in the 85/150cc race (leading Husqvarna rider). The race was won for the second year in succession by Jens Walvoort of the Netherlands. Quirk completed 20 laps of a shorter course, four down on the winner.

Jack Keenan had a storming ride on a 2002 CR80 Honda to finish 13th overall and fourth in the small-wheel category on 19 laps.

He in fact led that class for one hour before water got into the works of the little Honda and it began to splutter, losing power. There were 73 starters.

In the 65cc class, Harry Shand finished 17th on 11 laps, four down on winner Graham Haddow. Callum Christian did nine laps on his KTM to finish 27th out of 50.

Liam Crellin rode his 250 Yamaha to 13th in the 125/250F class on 26 laps, three down on the leaders. Similarly-mounted Chris ’Spud’ Moore was another lap down in 21st spot. This race had 87 starters.

In the quad bike event on Saturday, David Knight and 16-year-old nephew Thomas were 14th overall on 17 laps, three behind winner Rossi Beard.

They were second of the two-man teams, only one down on the winners. Not bad considering they were riding a weighty 750cc farm quad.

Mike Kerruish and Matt Thorpe were 22nd overall and third in the two-man class on a 450 Yamaha, completing 17 laps.

Russell Plant was 33rd on 16 laps, Tom Cannell 64th on 14, Stephen Curphey/Paul Burnett 78th on 14 (17th two-man), with Ste Ennett 94th on 13 and Alex McHugh 123rd on 11 laps. Kane Hall retired on lap two; there were 234 starters.