The countdown to this year’s Weymouth Beach Motocross has begun.

Organisers from Purbeck Motocross Club and Weymouth and Portland Lions Club came together outside the Pavilion to explain what visitors can expect from this year’s event.

Alf Stearn, President of Purbeck Motocross Club, said Weymouth Beach Motocross is the biggest amateur motocross event in the UK.

He added: “The beach motocross is a fun charity event because the actual motocross championships are all pretty much finished, so the riders come down to Weymouth beach for a final race. It is the biggest amateur event in the UK. To give people an idea, some of the riders will compete in fancy dress, however, there is no doubt about it the riders want to win. The great thing about the event is that people can come and see it for free. It’s free because it is a charity event, we are encouraging donations, whether this is through buying a program or putting money in a collection bucket.”

More than 300 riders are set to compete in the one-day event with riders travelling from as far as Dubai to take part.

Roger Hogbin, President of Weymouth and Portland Lions Club, said: “I am absolutely delighted we are able to put on another event and am really looking forward to it. We had great success with last year’s event and am hoping that this year will be a great success. This is one of the biggest events we do.”

The organisers of the event were also joined by up and coming 16-year-old motocross rider, Charlotte Hall.

Charlotte came fifth in this year’s British Women’s Motocross Championship, and she recently represented Great Britain at the IMBA European Championship, finishing ninth out of 40 riders.

She said: “I am from Weymouth and have come to the event for years but this is the first year I will be able to compete. I am really looking forward to it. It is a really nice way to end the season. I’ll be training on the sand in Dunkirk this week in preparation for the event. It should be a really good competition.”

Weymouth Beach Motocross will take place on October 22 with the first race set to begin at 1pm.