The dirt slinging, extreme motorcycle racing sport of Motocross is spinning its wheels in Mattapoisett.

On Sunday, April 1, the Mattapoisett Town Dump served as a track for the area’s first Motocross event featuring over 100 “enthusiastic” women, men and teenage racers.

Established in 1974, Pilgrim Sands Trail Riders hosts several Motocross races across the Southcoast each year with most of the proceeds going towards local charities and to the town.

Mattapoisett resident and Pilgrim Sands member Bruce Rocha Jr. said that the group donates between $12,000 and $13,000 a year to local charities.

“I think it’s great they’re holding two events in Mattapoisett this year,” said participant Kate Rowe. “It gives the kids in our community something to do and the town is making money at the same time.”

Rocha received approval from the Board of Selectmen last February to hold one-day events in April and in November.

“This area we have here is over 150 acres of natural terrain,” said Gordie Coyle, the Treasurer of Pilgrim Sands. “So we have a track set up here – roughly two and a half miles long – that winds in and out of the woods.”

Coyle said the natural terrain includes a swamp, a bog, a lot of rocks, roots and mud to drive around.

There were a total of eight races held throughout the day with each rider racing twice to see who had the overall best score.

Coyle said the group usually has the men and women ride together, but because of the large turnout they decided to combine the women and kids’ races.

Motocross, Coyle said, may be for charity but it doesn’t mean the riders don’t take it seriously.

“Some of these people will run their mother over for a $10 trophy,” joked Coyle.