race recap
HUNTER LAWRENCE | GRIT-207 | 250SX
February 7, 2023 · Hunter Lawrence
HUNTER LAWRENCE | GRIT-207 | 250SX
The Australian competitor would return to racing action in Houston, Texas, hoping to begin his 2023 championship quest in dominating fashion. Watching his brother (Jett Lawrence) accumulate immense success in the weeks prior (i.e. 250 SX West Coast Championship), would only motivate and reiterate his superior level of confidence that he possessed when racing at the professional level. However, it was now time to put his plan into action, and that would begin with brilliant laps in practice where he hovered atop the leaderboard. Though Max Anstie, Nate Thrasher, and Jordon Smith would do their best to divert his aspirations throughout the afternoon...but the resilience of the ninety-six was an attribute that couldn't swayed. He then burst onto the raceway for heat number one, where he and Nate Thrasher would compete amongst one another for the lead. But it was the Honda competitor who made his way to the finish-line and took the green flag, hoping to inflict doubt into the minds of all who opposed him on the racetrack. Executing the whoop section perfectly while staying atop each mogul, he flowed into the right-hander that followed with a steadied throttle output; never washing out with too much front-end pressure, or skidding the rear wheel in the same manner. His building of a lead would amplify, though Thrasher maintained a significant pace in second, which would be cast for the duration of eight laps. The game-plan was thus far intact and as he took the checkered flag with style, and many sensed that he could replicate this performance in the main event as well. His clutch release amid main event action was stellar, while he and Tom Vialle would quarrel over the lead in the first few corners. Though the KTM rider would work his way past, and attempt to break away from the field. Shortly thereafter though, he nearly collide with Vialle through the air over the "SX" triple, sending him veering off track and through the inner tuff-blocks! Luckily he retained his composure and would funnel into third immediately, looking for a chance to obtain the designation he once had. Moving past Max Anstie just a minute or so later (for second) in a pass while exiting the sand section, it was then time for Lawrence to hunt-down the French rider who was making his U.S. debut! Vialle was holding onto the lead with excellent form, though Lawrence would conduct a steadfast move to the inside of the sand section around two and a-half minutes into racing action. Once in front, he would never look back. Continuously through the first quarter, halfway point, and into the final segment, Lawrence was racing with an unblemished output of speed. He embraced the moment and was mistake free as he funneled into the latter stages, ultimately leading sixteen laps prior to taking the opening victory of the 2023 series!