The races , now held for numerous bikes , yet , like that original race , the 2021 edition of Sellicks Beach racing was held over a mile course although now punctuated with a bend at either end of a half mile straight . This ‘ modern ’ version of the racing more akin to that of speedway or flat-track , cornering on the sand with bikes that struggled with turns when they were new , a sight to behold .
Motorcycle racing at Sellicks Beach ceased after the 1953 event when the sands were deemed unsuitable for such racing although a car race was held in 1954 . Such discussions continue almost 70 years later with environmental groups arguing that a beach is no place for racing , yet beaches in South Australia are deemed open to all vehicles ( some only for 4x4s ). In fact , 24 hours after the 2021 racing at Sellicks Beach it was hard to see where an event had been held . The Levis MCC care for their event and in doing so care more for the environment , many precautions are put in place to ensure that damage is limited to that that the power of nature can repair with a shift of tide .
Those moving waters add to the excitement that is beach racing . Action gets underway with the waters of the Gulf of Saint Vincent in retreat , a wide expanse of hard packed , flat sand providing a perfect venue to wind out engines that propel aging machines to speeds that simply astound . Then as the moon makes an appearance in the eastern sky , the waters begin their rapid march up
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