Sansom Beach Spectacle

Lichfield quad biker Oliver Sansom claimed a famous win at the 40th anniversary of the Western Beach Race.

Oliver Sansom celebrates his victory- Photo credits – Oliver Sansom

The race took place in the coastal town of Western-Super-Mare is the largest off-road motorcycle event in the UK, which brings thousands of spectators to the somerset coast, and fantastic revenue for local business.

The 37-year-old topped his class and took his space on the podium after attempted to win the trophy for over 20 years. which saw 1,000 riders across many different categories in a three-hour race across the beach.

Sansom said it was a huge honor for him and his family to finally get the win.

He said: “It meant a lot to me and the family for me to win it, obviously it’s very dangerous I’ve had a lot of accidents over the years.

“I do the euro championships and British championships, but at the end of the season to win the race, It’s an amazing feeling ill hold onto that forever.”

The win itself was magical for the Lichfield man, but he also claimed luck was on his side. His sister Mel has unfortunately been dealing with cancer for the past three years.

“

Luck was on my side, my sister isn’t very well, she’s had cancer for three years, so there was inspiration for that, I had the hashtag 'winformel' on my bike.”

Sansom on the podium- Photo credits Oliver Sansom

Now at the age of 37, and a dad to his one year old girl, the Lichfield rider knows the dangers and senses his time may be up for competition in the race.

Outside of racing, Sansom has been getting a community initiative up and running in his home area, to allow deprivileged kids, and kids with anti-social behavior issues to get off the streets and try the sport themselves.

Sansom said: “I’ve broken my back, my vertebrae, and collar bones. What I don’t like to say is that it’s dangerous. Yes, it is, but so are a lot of things.

He added: “I am going to reopen my motocross track to kids, I work with deprivileged lads, poorly lads, lads who are off the streets, kids who have trouble with anti-social behavior, I work with the police and local council to help these kids.

“It was government funded before, I’m running a facility that will help get kids off the streets, and into the sport.”