This year’s Weymouth Beach Motocross event is revving up to a be a record-breaker.

The noisy spectacle is back this Sunday – slightly later in the month than usual to fit in with the spring tide – and it looks like it will be a cracker with more than 300 riders set to take part.

The junior and senior sections have already had to be capped at 130 entrants each for safety reasons. Organisers will know more this week how many will be signing up for the experts section – riders are expected to sign up now having been released for the season from their sponsorship contracts. But it is expected this section will have to be capped too.

Motocross racing on Weymouth Beach is incredibly popular – the fact spectators can get right up close to the action is said to be a major pull.

Weymouth & Portland Lions Club organise the event in conjunction with Purbeck Motocross Club and with support from the borough council.

It is estimated that some 20,000 people – families and bikers alike – will come to Weymouth to watch the thrilling event. Entries are coming in fast from across the south of England, with more than 300 riders set to test their mettle in the race. Organisers believe last year’s total entry number of 343 will be topped.

In addition to the racing there will be a display of classic cars and a static motor bike display, plus food and trade stands.

This is one of the major fundraising events organised by Weymouth & Portland Lions Club – the other main event being the Christmas Day Harbour Swim – and it helps raise money for good causes.

Lions Club spokesman Norman Apps said: “This is the largest event of its kind along the south coast and it is free to watch. All the Lions ask for is you to purchase a programme at £2 or make a donation to the charity fund.”

He added: “It is slightly later this year to fit in with the spring tide. It has to be very low tide to allow the riders to race along the sands, and it has to be a Sunday, so the date of Sunday, October 28 was selected.

“We hope people will come down and join the fun.”

Practice starts at 12pm and the first race is at 1pm.