Supercross promoter/competitor John Murray feels good about full house
Dirt lines more than pro rider and Supercross promoter John Murray's fingernails.
He's given everything to dirt bike racing - even his spleen.
Saturday, he headed the 26th annual Pikes Peak Supercross race at an overflowing Norris-Penrose Event Center.
Gladly, Murray, the owner of Pikes Peak Supercross and the head of the event for the past nine years, along with more than 5,000 spectators watched competitors from ages 4 to 65 tackle jumps and sharp turns on the course filled with 175 dump trucks of dirt.
"I watched the pros on TV and that's what got me into it," said 12-year-old racer Luke Anderson, who has been dirt biking racing for the past two years. "(Today) was great."
In fact, it's the best Murray has seen the event go since he's been the head of it.
"It was an absolute great turnout. The seats are filled and it just shows that Supercross' popularity is back on the rise," the 42-year-old Colorado Springs native said. "You know, I always want to bring Supercross back to Colorado Springs and do it right. I think we did that."
Before becoming a promoter, Murray was one of the best riders in the nation. Since age 16, he has lived for "this adrenaline." He's broken his arms, femur and lost his spleen when a handlebar drove into it - and then came back for more. Throughout, he went from state to state racing his dirt bike while living off the cash prizes at each event.
"This is a way of life for so many of these guys," said Murray, who still races most weekends but primarily focuses on promoting now. "How they do at these races is how they make their livelihood."
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