How to Design a Motocross Track
- 1). Survey the land. The amount of land you have will determine the kind of track you can build. Also, land with natural hills, or step-ups and -downs, will make it easier to add a little variety to the course. If you're close to a residential area, check city council ordinances involving sports activities and inform the neighbors about potential noise problems. Dust is also a factor; riding upwind of a populated area may cause problems.
- 2). Draw a basic layout. Sketch out your dream design on paper, then lay it out on the land itself with wooden pegs to mark off the course. Think about the level of riders you're designing for. Your design should include enough straightaways to gain speed before obstacles. If you have any natural features in the land such as embankments or slopes, try to work them into your design. If you want to work on specific features such as jumps, leave plenty of room to include them. For younger riders, natural terrain works best.
- 3). Design your obstacles. Natural land embankments make good places to construct berms — sharp curves cut in to the land. For dropoffs — small cliffs — excavate natural hills to create a steep edge. Otherwise, plan to dig out enough dirt to form a cliff. If possible, plan three small jumps in a row to help riders establish a jumping rhythm. Whoops, series of small bumps, are motocross staple. You can also include gap jumps — two dirt ramps separated by space — but avoid creating too wide of a gap.
