Protecting the Dirt: A Track Owner’s Guide to the Modern Era

Motocross has always been about more than just racing; it’s about a community that understands the inherent risks of the trail and the track. But times are changing. The old "handshake" days are being replaced by a complicated legal world.

To keep our gates open, we need to move from just "getting by" to running a professional, tight ship. Here is a simplified breakdown of how we protect our sport, our tracks, and our riders.

  1. It’s About the "Standard of Care," Not "Perfect Safety"

    Lawyers love to argue about "safety." But let’s be real: motocross is inherently risky. You can’t make it 100% safe, and you shouldn’t claim to. Instead, courts look at your Standard of Care; basically, did you do what a reasonable track owner would do?

    • Training: Show that your flaggers know the basics. Keep a simple log to show they were briefed.
    • The Track Layout: Aim for good sight lines. If a jump is blind, do your best to get a flagger or a light there.
    • Common Sense Maintenance: Keep the water truck off the track during a session. If there’s a big rock or a pole near the lane, throw some hay bales or TuffBlocks over it.
    • One-Way Traffic: Use signs to make sure everyone is riding the same direction, especially in the pits and staging areas.
    • The Practice Day Balance: Practice isn’t a race. You don’t need 20 flaggers for 5 riders. Scale your staff based on how many people are actually on the dirt.
    • Pro Tip: Never call your track the "safest." It’s better to say you "follow industry-standard protocols."
  2. Insurance: Find a Fighter

    If your insurance company settles every small claim just to make it go away, they are putting a target on your back.

    • Aggressive Defense: You want an insurer that fights meritless lawsuits. If lawyers know you won’t just "pay to play," they’ll stop coming after you.
    • One Team, One Dream: Try to have your medical and liability insurance under one roof so they don’t fight each other while they’re supposed to be defending you.
  3. Change the Laws

    We need to remind politicians that motocross is a business that brings money to the community.

    • Inherent Risk: We are working to pass laws that say: "If you go riding on natural terrain, you accept the risks that come with it."
    • Strength in Numbers: Join the Motocross Track Owner Roundtable. When we speak as one voice, the statehouse listens.
  4. Tech is Your "Black Box"

    Think of new tech as a backup, not a replacement. It’s there to help when humans make mistakes.

The Bottom Line

Modernizing your track doesn’t have to happen overnight. It’s a process. Whether you’re a small local practice track or a national pro facility, the goal is the same: stay professional, stay documented, and keep the sport thriving for the next generation.

Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes for track owners and is not legal or insurance advice. Always talk to a professional in your state.