More than 20,000 people attended the internationally recognised Race the Waves vintage motoring event in Bridlington, bringing a major economic boost to the coastal community.
Over 20,000 visitors flocked to the Yorkshire Coast for an internationally recognised vintage motoring festival, delivering a significant boost to local businesses and coastal communities.
The hugely popular 'Race the Waves' event saw an array of vintage European and Americana Hot-Rod vehicles and classic motorcycles racing in pairs. The dramatic spectacle took place along a specially prepared 200-yard course on Bridlington's South Beach.
Drawing inspiration from the East Yorkshire beach’s unique history as the setting for the earliest United Kingdom land speed record attempts, the motoring festival has been a staple in the coastal town since 2018.
East Riding of Yorkshire Council leader, Councillor Anne Handley, highlighted the widespread benefits the successful weekend brought to the wider region.
Councillor Handley said:
"With more than 20,000 people attending over two days, Race the Waves shows what we can achieve when ambition, partnership, and community spirit come together. It brings people into our towns, supports local businesses, and celebrates our coastline from Bridlington to Hornsea, all the way down to Withernsea, and everywhere in between, and reminds us why confidence in our place matters."
Beyond the thrilling beach racing, the extensive event programme offered a wide variety of free attractions that were easily accessible on foot. A static auto-show, meticulously organised by the Bridlington Lions, drew crowds to South Marine Drive, while visitors browsed a selection of community-run stalls and grabbed limited-edition souvenir brochures along Princess Mary Promenade.
The seaside festivities also included high-octane entertainment from 'The Ken Fox Troupe and their amazing vintage Wall of Death' show, located between Bridlington Spa and the RNLI station. Thrill-seekers were even able to experience tank rides directly on the South Beach sands.
Adding a unique cultural element to the weekend, Bridlington Spa hosted the WSW Steampunk Emporium. The family-friendly gathering took over the Royal Hall, providing visitors with a mix of presentations, workshops, authors, and specialist stalls, with Steampunk attire welcomed throughout the public areas.
Refreshments were provided by Yorkshire Events Bars, operating out of a classic 1966 Bristol Lodekka Double Decker bus situated near the lifeboat station.
The massive logistical effort involved in staging the large-scale event, which was organised by the motoring group Backfire in close conjunction with the Visit East Yorkshire team, received special praise from local leadership.
Councillor Handley added:
"My sincere thanks to everyone who helped make Race the Waves such a success. All the council staff, the organizers, volunteers, partners, and all those working behind the scenes. Thank you. Events of this scale do not happen by accident. They happen because committed people work hard, plan carefully and take pride in showing Bridlington and the East Riding at their very best."
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