Boardman’s Cox Builds Dream Tracks from Dirt and Determination

In the dusty outskirts of Boardman, where the Columbia River winds and the wind turbines spin, a different kind of power is being harnessed. It’s the roar of dirt bikes, a sound that has fueled a local entrepreneur’s journey from weekend warrior to business owner. What started as a lifelong passion for motocross has now become “Pay Dirt,” a specialized track construction venture born right here in Eastern Oregon.

Local rider and now business operator, Cox, saw a need that wasn’t being met. “Every rider around here has a vision for the perfect track—the rhythm sections, the whoops, the safe landings,” Cox explained, wiping dust from his gloves. “But turning that vision into reality takes more than just a tractor. It takes an understanding of soil, drainage, and what makes a track both challenging and sustainable for our high-desert terrain.”

Cox’s operation is a hands-on, family-affair, utilizing local equipment and adapting to the unique, often hard-packed soils of Morrow County. His work is transforming private parcels into professional-grade practice tracks, bringing a piece of the competitive motocross world to rural Oregon properties. For many local families, it means quality riding time without the long haul to distant commercial facilities.

“It’s about building community as much as building berms,” Cox says. “This sport teaches discipline and respect for the land. If I can help more folks enjoy it safely in their own backyard, that’s the real payoff.” As the engines echo against the Boardman hills, Cox is proving that with the right vision, you can indeed turn your passion into pay dirt.