TSC Round 1 at 3 Palms MX

We are heading back into Texas after a long stretch on the road, and honestly, starting the Texas Statewide Championship at 3 Palms is the move. It is located right in Conroe, which makes it an easy pull off the highway for anyone coming from North Texas or Louisiana. The GP track is where the first round is going down, and that place usually has a different vibe than the Main or the Woods tracks. It is a massive facility, and the crew there always keeps the property looking clean and professional.

The dirt on the GP track at 3 Palms is pretty legendary because it has that sandy base that gets really rough but stays consistent. It is not like the deep sand you find at some Florida tracks, but it definitely develops those deep ruts and big rollers that test your fitness. You can expect a mix of high speed sections and some big, loamy berms. The layout usually flows well, so you are not constantly fighting the bike to find a rhythm. It gets choppy in the afternoon, so you have to be ready for the track to change every single moto.

If Kyle Swanson were out here watching us, he would probably be preaching about line choice and corner entry. Since the GP track has so many options in the turns, it is easy to get stuck following the leader into a deep rut. Kyle would want us looking way ahead, finding those outside lines that carry more momentum, and staying light on the bike. He always says that races are won in the flat turns and the rough transitions. We will be focusing on staying disciplined with our feet and making sure we are not wasting energy fighting the sand.

This is a race you should definitely load up for if you want to see where you stack up against the fastest guys in the South. Since it is mid August in Texas, you need to bring way more water than you think, an extra air filter, some cooling rags, and those big industrial fans. The heat is going to be a factor for everyone. The crew at 3 Palms always does a great job prepping the surface, so the track is going to be prime when the gate drops. Just make sure your cooling system is solid and your cardio is where it needs to be before you show up.