JS7 Spring Championship

Freestone is the spot everyone circles on the calendar as soon as the winter starts winding down. It is out in Wortham, Texas, sitting on what used to be pasture land but has basically become the center of the amateur universe for a week every spring. When we roll into the JS7 Spring Championship, you can feel that the energy is different than a local race. It is a massive facility with that big Miller Lite tower looking over the start. If you are serious about racing, you know this is where the real work happens before the summer starts.

The track itself is a beast. People talk about the Texas heat, but the dirt is what really tests you. It is that dark, heavy clay that gets deep ruts and massive breaking bumps. The layout is fast and features some of the biggest jumps we see all year long. You have to be precise because those ruts will grab your front wheel if you are even an inch off your line. By the second moto of the day, the track is completely chewed up. You are basically playing chess trying to find a smooth line that isn't totally blown out or filled with square-edge kicks.

If Kyle Swanson is out here working with us, he is definitely going to be preaching corner speed above everything else. Freestone rewards guys who can keep their momentum through the deep stuff without getting stood up in the ruts. He would have us focusing on standing up through the rough sections and making sure our weight is back so we don't swap out on those high speed rollers. It is not just about being fast for one lap. It is about having the technical skill to survive when the track is at its absolute worst.

This is a trip for anyone who wants to see where they actually stack up against the fastest kids in the country. You need to make sure your bike is dialed for a mix of deep prep and hard pack. Bring plenty of spare parts and extra air filters. The Texas sun does not play around so stay hydrated. Tony Miller and the crew keep the place in top shape, but it is still a brutal test. If you want to get better, you have to go to Wortham.