HUNTER LAWRENCE - GRIT 241 450SX

GRIT-241 | 450 SX

Training with his brother Jett Lawrence seemingly everyday throughout the year, Honda's Hunter Lawrence knew that he possessed speed to rival the series leader...and as the Dallas SX round came to fruition, it appeared as if the number ninety-six wanted to take things to the next level. He'd continuously traveled closer to the front of the pack, and after showcasing notable times amongst time(d) trials, the Australian was on the correct pathway to clinching a top-five overall in the main event, if the opportunity presented itself. Beginning the sprint in fourth, he and Ken Roczen were (initially) on a similar pathway forward. But the German athlete proceeded to break away as they neared the halfway point, leaving Lawrence to defend his fourth-place standing from KTM's Chase Sexton. The two athletes were familiar with one another, and could sense the oppositions race-craft as they swept through a myriad of lines side by side...but it was Sexton who made the move on the Honda rider with three laps to go, leaving Lawrence in fifth as the checkered flag neared. Ultimately finishing here, Hunter knew that a similar pace could be raced for the main event, that was approaching quickly. For the finalé, a brilliant third-place start was generated for the 450cc SX rookie. He was capable of this, and seemed to believe the idea while running just behind Cooper Webb. With his brother not too far ahead, the trio of athletes put forth a phenomenal pace, until Ohio's Aaron Plessinger was able to make his way around on the sixth circuit. This placed Lawrence into fourth, where he again, would have defend his territory from a surging Chase Sexton...that was until, Eli Tomac made his way into the equation. Despite all of the tactics one could think of in a forward-moving manner, Lawerence was having difficulty keeping Tomac at bay - but that was a task that few could ever demonstrate! Nevertheless, once Eli made his way by, Hunter refused to give up...continuously fighting forward and using every bit of suspension travel he could generate aboard his Honda chassis. The minutes were continuing to fade by, but Lawerence appeared cemented in fifth as riders were crossing the finish line. Though his brother fell and would actually finish right in front of him, Hunter would exit the raceway in the aforementioned standing of fifth...which was an admirable ride, given the difficulty of the track.

More from GRIT