Scott Murray (left) and Eli Murray pose for a photo on one of their jumps at their facility on Aug. 21, 2024 in Helps, Mich. (Adam Hinch/Daily Press)

HELPS — Michigan’s scenic Upper Peninsula is home to many things that make many sounds.

There’s the sound of vehicles blaring down U.S. Route 2. There’s the sound of waves crashing in a body of water. There’s the distinct sound of silence across any portion of picturesque forests.

There’s also one particular sound which can be heard in the tiny community of Helps, tucked away in Menominee County. This is the sound of engines whaling, rubber hitting hitting the dirt.

This is thanks to the father-son tandem of Scott and Eli Murray. For them, life is spent on dirt bikes, but not always in the conventional sense.

In 2003, a then 26-year old Scott Murray began his path down dirt bike racing. He didn’t stop at racing, ultimately being invited to the X games in 2007 to compete in the best trick contest. He also competed in X Games in 2008 and 2009, and until 2009 only Scott Murray and Travis Patron were the only two brave souls willing to attempt double backflips.

Now in 2024 Scott Murry is joined alongside his 13-year old son Eli Murray. The tandem entertains the masses every year during Monster Truck Throwdown, which includes a stop at the U.P. State Fairgrounds, as well as stops anywhere across the country and beyond.

“We try to stay as booked as we can,” Scott Murray said. “The entertainment industry is really wishy-washy as we all know.”

Eli Murray began at the age of three on an o set a dirt bike, designed for riders of a young age, then moved up to a Yamaha PW 50, a 50cc dirk bike and then to a KTM 50-65, a bike for riders who are starting to get more dirt-bike experience and now competes with his big bike.

“It’s really fun to go out there and do tricks and at the same time ride with my dad,” Eli Murray said.

Doing shows on the local level is more rewarding in the eyes of Scott Murray.

“Don’t get me wrong, X Games is cool,” Scott Murray said. “But the camaraderie and the familiar faces in the crowd at a local show, especially like in the community where you shop and everyone knows you, has a totally different feel.”

Scott Murray and Eli Murray both admitted that they actually have a fear of heights.

“It’s kind of like someone who has a fear of heights getting on an airplane. You can see how high up you are but you still feel safe.” Scott Murray said. “That is kind off what it’s like for us performing. We have got so used to it, it’s like a routine you just feel safer.”

Eli Murray sustained a couple crashes early in his career, including one in Escanaba and a big one at the Route 66 dirt oval in Chicago.

Outside of dirt bike racing, Scott Murray and Eli Murray spend time hunting, playing basketball and even jamming on some Call of Duty.

“We probably spend more time than the average father and son duo,” Scott Murray said.

The tandem was quick to express gratitude to the folks at Cycle City for the support throughout their journey.

“Outside of my dad and my late grandmother nobody else has supported us to as high of a level as Cycle City,” Scott Murray said. “They actually took a bike off the sales floor to give us throttle cables to be able to do a show. Not a lot of sales companies are going to take bikes off the floor when they could have sold it multiple times. That’s how important those guys are to us.”