Who doesn’t love a bit of good old-fashioned dusty fun?

That was the order of business on Saturday as Dirt Designz Ridepark hosted its official opening at Dhurringile, seeing a glorious medley of mud, sweat and gears fill the air as the ribbon was cut on the high-octane playground.

Riders jumped and pumped their way around the new track, which features three enduro loops that cater for junior, intermediate and senior experience levels as well as motocross and flat track circuits.

Dirt Designz owner Damien Hill said the day made for a well-oiled soft launch of the park in warm conditions.

“We did a bit of soft advertising, and we ended up with about 20 people which was great — we were really happy with that,” he said.

“Nearly every one of the people that came, it seemed like they were a scout for their mates.

“Because it was the first time we’d opened to the public, there was so many people who were coming on behalf of friends that said ‘we’ve had a look, we love what’s going on and it’s really user-friendly’ which is the whole point of it.

“It’s pitched at anyone from beginner to expert, people riding together and learning and developing safety.

“It’s not a really overly intimidating park that’s got huge jumps, it’s got a good mix of flat track, bush trail and a bit of motocross where people can cross over and just hang out and have fun with bikes.”

The idea behind the Dirt Designz Ridepark was conceived in late 2019, when the land was purchased and the wheel was first greased for a revved-up motocross mecca.

But COVID-19 soon pumped the brakes on everything.

As Hill is Melbourne-based and was managing the property remotely, things have only started to roll into gear over the past two to three years.

Dirt Designz Ridepark was rented out to private clubs and coaches for use, but after receiving overwhelming positive feedback, Hill knew it could be so much more.

“We eventually got to a point with such good feedback, where a lot of younger people — especially families and kids — said we don’t have anywhere else,” he said.

“They don’t want to go a full-blown motocross ride park where it’s pretty intimidating, and if they go in the bush, kids aren’t allowed until they’re old enough to have a bike license.”

Demand was up, so Hill got busy.

After getting the park insured, affiliated under a sanctioned body (Rider Sport Association) and undergoing risk analysis, Saturday marked the first step forward in the park’s new direction.

Hill is expecting the next public event to fall on November 8 with anywhere between 50–70 riders expected, and after that, the park will open its gates at least once monthly.

Not only that, but Hill hopes to accommodate specialist groups such as adventure riders and speedway racers, with once-quarterly events featuring live music and food.

“We would love to see it as just as much social as it is sport,” Hill said.

Out of anyone, Hill knows the social aspect of motocross best.

He has raced since he was a kid and now his four children are behind the handlebars, the oldest of which is an accredited coach like himself.

The duo are seeking to include coaching into the Dirt Designz Ridepark experience, catering to the grassroots riding community who wish to gain more confidence on two wheels.

“We’re looking for families to ride together, we’re looking for mates; we’re looking for people that are having a go at riding and maybe don’t feel confident to go to those full-blown race ride parks,” he said.

News photographer Megan Fisher was at the track to capture the riders in their element.

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Sunday, 8th August 2027

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