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Comparisons between the two courses are inevitable - both contain numerous strength-sapping obstacles and a look along the sea wall at Weston provides a view as imposing as you would ever see from Beecher's Brook at Liverpool.

The two have also gained a richly deserved widespread international reputation.

In the same way that every National Hunt jockey wants to tackle Aintree, so every bike rider, who wants the ultimate test for man and machine, is drawn to Weston.

Competitors from as far afield as California and Europe have pitted their wits against the massive mounds created at the Somerset holiday resort for the past twenty years, but a rider from outside the British Isles has never claimed a Weston crown.

Since its inception motocross and enduro riders have dominated the event and made up the bulk of the entry.

But the likes of Trevor Nation and Chris Walker - more at home on tarmac - along with riders from virtually every branch of motorcycle sport, could not resist the attraction of the dunes.

And persistence also seems to pay off - Ben Taylor won the 2001 solo event at the eighth attempt.

The 25 year-old Purley rider, who also competes in the Maxxis British Motocross Championship.

Ben said: "Tackling Weston is not like any other event.

"The main thing to consider is making sure you get round the first lap without any problems, particularly avoiding the mayhem that always seems to occur at the first dune.

"After that it is a matter of clocking up the laps and, hopefully, acquiring a comfortable position at the end of the three hours.

"Patience, determination and the experience gained from tackling Weston before is vital."

28-year-old Manxman Juan Knight, who along with brother David, will be contesting both of the weekend's events for the third year in succession.

Their friendly sibling rivalry has been present between the pair ever since they first climbed aboard a bike as youngsters.

David, 25, claimed the solo crown on a Yamaha in 1999 and was astride the same marque twelve months ago when he became the first man to win both events.

Aiming for his sixth Weston solo win is Rob Meek, the Nottinghamshire rider who has left his imprint on this event in a manner that many others have tried to emulate, but no one has yet matched.

He chalked up his fifth victory six years ago and cannot be ignored from the list of serious contenders, having finished third on the podium last October.

26-year-old Wiltshire rider Mark Hucklebridge, who claimed two Weston titles astride an MJ Church Kawasaki in 1998 and 2000, stressed that man as well as machine needs correct preparation for an event like Weston.

Mark said: "It is important to fill up with protein and plenty of water in the week leading up to the race otherwise this three-hour marathon will leave you drained of energy and dehydrated."

When you consider that even a Grand Prix motocross rider is unlikely to spend more than 45 minutes in the saddle at any given time during the racing season, it is wise advice to follow.

But the most redeeming feature of the Weston event is that it enables club riders - many of them tackling the dunes to raise money for a variety of worthy causes - to compete alongside established stars from a cross-section of two-wheeled sports.

What is, probably, more important is that everyone starting the two races this weekend has an equal chance of winning. All the riders share common enemies - the salt water and the sand!

No matter how much money is spent on a bike, there is no guarantee of keeping the elements at bay.

Weston has already produced many memorable weekends and this year's event should be no exception.

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>>> The 21st Annual Beach Race takes place at Weston on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 October

>>> Get Xtreme with Weston Supercross