Thousands of people headed for Kirkcaldy as motorcycle racing hit top gear on the town’s beach at the weekend.
Despite strong winds and drizzling rain, a crowd of around 3,000 braved the conditions to watch the action at the annual Kirkcaldy Sand Races on Saturday.
They were provided with a roaring spectacle as the beach was transformed into a racetrack for speedway racing, with Scottish champion Ross Rutherford the overall winner of the event.
On the promenade visitors were treated to a motorcycle trial obstacle course, where the riders of East Neuk Wobblers Trials Club showed off their skills and agility.
Hugh Ward, president of the Kirkcaldy and District Motor Club, which organised the event, said: “We didn’t get as many riders as we hoped but we still put on 12 races.Click here for a full photo gallery“We received a lot of good feedback from the people who came and it was a real family day for the town and was not just for bike enthusiasts.
“It was a good way to promote the sport but it also brought some business to the town, which was one of the main objectives of the event.”
The event was backed by Kirkcaldy4All and Digby Brown solicitors, who helped provide sponsorship for the event.
With plans already being formulated for next year’s event, Mr Ward hopes that the races will become an annual fixture in Kirkcaldy, as they were in bygone years.
The roar of engines was an annual occurrence on the town’s beach from the late 1920s until 1948, when the Kirkcaldy Motor Club began a grand prix event in Beveridge Park. However, bikes continued to race on the beach until 1972.
Kirkcaldy and District Motor Club organised a demonstration in 2012 which attracted 3,000 people to the waterfront.
Mr Ward added: “Next year will be the third year we’ve held the event and we will look to change things up and offer something different. We will be looking to attract even bigger crowds but you are always at the mercy of the weather.”