ANCHORAGE, ALASKATHE HOME OF LOCAL MOTOCROSSOFFICIAL CLUB ↗

YOUR MX DICTIONARY

TALK
THE DIRT.

Twenty common motocross terms explained in straightforward language. Learn at your own pace before your next track visit.

General learning resource. Current Jodhpur-specific safety and race rules are set by the operator. Official club ↗

20 terms

Track

Berm

A banked turn that can help riders navigate a corner.

Track

Tabletop

A jump with a filled-in top between the takeoff and landing.

Track

Whoops

A sequence of closely spaced bumps or mounds.

Track

Rollers

Rounded track mounds, often appearing in series.

Track

Ruts

Grooves formed by tires in the riding surface.

Racing

Gate drop

The moment a race start gate is released.

Racing

Holeshot

Taking the lead at or immediately after the start.

Racing

Moto

A race segment or heat in a motocross event.

Racing

Heat

A preliminary race used in some event formats.

Racing

Main event

A final race or featured event in certain race formats.

Racing

Staging

The area or process where riders assemble before a race.

Visiting

Paddock

An area used for rider and motorcycle preparation.

Visiting

Pit area

A designated area for riders and teams to prepare equipment.

Safety

Track marshal

An official who helps supervise course safety and communicates instructions.

Safety

Flagger

A trained official who signals track information using flags.

Safety

Caution flag

A flag warning of a potential hazard; exact rules vary by organizer.

Riding

Line choice

The path a rider selects through a track section.

Riding

Throttle control

Managing engine power using the throttle.

Riding

Body position

How a rider distributes weight for balance and control.

Safety

Pre-ride inspection

A check of essential motorcycle controls and condition before riding.