Navigating elevation changes through thorough site analysis to create a motocross spectacle that’s built to last

Building a motocross track takes more than time, equipment, land, and money. That is, if you do things right. A prime example is our latest build in Bozeman, Montana. We can gush endlessly about Bozeman’s raw natural environment (in fact, we already did in this article). However, with that beauty comes challenging terrain that requires careful consideration if constructing a motocross track.

The customer had a five-acre plot of land with over 40 feet of elevation change. What did our road map to success look like? We began by conducting a site visit and assessment. We then evaluated the topography, soil type, and drainage potential. From there, we outlined an action plan and scope of work, which required sign-off by the customer. This, of course, came after working closely with the customer to ensure the project aligned with his vision and requirements.

Before breaking ground, we marked out a track alignment. Then we stripped off the topsoil, which we later returned to the track surface and borrow areas. We excavated the site by forming, shaping, and compacting the track. After that, we installed 300 linear feet of drainpipe (with riprap at the pipe ends to manage stormwater and prevent flooding and erosion). Several hundred yards of sawdust were imported, which we processed into the soil to create a premium riding surface. If you’ve ever been to an AMA National track (think Thunder Valley or Hangtown), the soil consistency of this private build matched those conditions.

The work still wasn’t done. As is the case with all MX Track Builders projects, we installed track markers for a professional finished look. We then covered the borrow areas with topsoil and seeded the soil to stabilize the site. The customer planned to install an irrigation system, which would be a sound investment for maximizing the great soil composition that we created.  

It was hard to pick just one favorite part of this build. “The Bozeman Booter,” an uphill triple jump that looked intimidating but designed with safety in mind, stood out. Then there was the track itself, a stark contrast to the surrounding golden fields of grain. Or maybe it was the challenge of tackling a plot of land with more than 40 feet of elevation. What was the correct answer? All of the above.