Ty Kellett suffered severe head injuries in a spectacular crash at Weston Beach Race last October.
This year's race began yesterday with a new side-by-side category.
Some of the best riders from Motocross and Enduro take part tomorrow for the solo race and the best British Quad riders for the race today.
ARMED with a new bike and a new helmet motocross rider Ty Kellett is weighed in and ready for the race which left him in a coma for three weeks last year.
The weekend of motorbike action opened yesterday with a side by side car competition along the front and freestyle demonstrations on the vast mounds of sand created for the course, renowned among riders and fans.
Almost all the riders taking part in Sunday's main event arrived at the beach-front venue yesterday, although organisers reported last- minute entries still coming in last night.
This year's race, limited to 500 riders, is nearing capacity and yesterday Weston-super-Mare's beach front was swarming with petrol heads, tinkering with their machines and making last-minute adjustments before they were weighed in ahead of the race.
Today the junior motocross and quad bike races take place, featuring Ty's younger brother Todd, 13.
His big brother is taking part in the main race tomorrow at 1pm.
"I just want to hit the sand on Sunday.
The relaxed young rider plans a leisurely start with a good breakfast while drinking plenty of liquids ahead of his three-hour endurance race in front of thousands of spectators.
This year's race, limited to 500 riders, is nearing capacity and yesterday Weston-super-Mare's beach front was swarming with petrol heads, tinkering with their machines and making last-minute adjustments before they were weighed in ahead of the race.
Today the junior motocross and quad bike races take place, featuring Ty's younger brother Todd, 13.
His big brother is taking part in the main race tomorrow at 1pm.
"We have secured some of the best riders from Motocross and Enduro for the solo race tomorrow and the best British quad riders for the race today."
Ty Kellett suffered serious head injuries during a crash at last year's event that forced it to be cancelled.
As well as the head injury, Ty also serious back injuries, a severed liver and a severely broken leg after being involved in a huge crash at the beginning of the main race.
Ty's mum Carol echoed his thanks for the charity: "The charity help meant we could stay with Ty in Bristol while he was in intensive care, which was a real help."
Organiser Gareth Hockey is another person looking forward to the 28th event getting underway.
* Marine Parade will be closed for the duration of the weekend event, with plans for some traffic management to ease departing traffic on Sunday.