TSC Round 4 at Murphys MX

We are heading out to Red Rock for the fourth round of the TSC South Texas series at Murphys MX on September 20. This place is a staple for a reason. It is tucked away just far enough from Austin that you feel like you are actually at a motocross track and not just a practice facility. The crew there always puts in the work for these big regional races. You can tell they care about the series and keeping the South Texas scene alive.

The dirt at Murphys is that classic Texas mix where it starts off pretty tacky but develops some real teeth as the day goes on. You are looking at a lot of elevation changes that actually matter. It is not just flat ground with dirt piled up. There are some blind crests and those steep uphill sections that will test your starts. When the ruts start to set in during the second motos, you have to be precise because that clay gets unforgiving if you miss your mark by a couple of inches.

If Kyle Swanson was out here putting us through a clinic, he would definitely be harping on our throttle control and feet. This is the kind of track where you can lose a second just by being too aggressive and blowing through a turn. Swanson would have us looking three turns ahead because the layout flows in a way where one mistake usually ruins your momentum for the next two jumps. You have to be smart with your gear selection on the off-cambers so you do not spin the rear tire.

Anyone looking for a real race experience should be loading up for this one. It is a good track for the younger kids because the jumps are built with some safety in mind, but the fast guys can still find ways to separate themselves. Before you head out, make sure you have some fresh knobs and plenty of water. Red Rock in September is no joke when the humidity hits. Check your spokes after practice because that hard-pack base can be rough on the wheels. It is going to be a heavy weekend of racing.