HUNTER LAWRENCE - GRIT 245 450SX

GRIT-245 |450 SX

May 20, 2024 9:45 am

Honda's Hunter Lawrence appeared to be riding at a level that hadn't been presented thus far in his 450cc career, beginning with practice sessions where the Australian was almost mirroring his younger brother (i.e. Jett Lawrence). His set of skills aboard the larger engine were prominent, and he yearned to put them on display for a racing format of sorts...which occurred for heat one of the evening. Lawrence began just behind Chase Sexton, after establishing his machine firmly in the runner-up position after battling (briefly) with Mitchell Oldenburg. Now into second, Chase Sexton would slowly begin to drift away...until the KTM rider suddenly came to a stop on the racetrack! What appeared to be a stalling of the engine, enabled Lawrence to work his way forward! Now into the lead, it was a matter of "clicking off laps" despite a tremendous championship duo (i.e. Sexton and Eli Tomac) storming ahead in the circuits that remained. Lawrence's form was perfect as ruts became deeper, carving through the apex at the optimum RPM; all the while the Yamaha (of Tomac) appeared closer in his proximity. This would set the stage for the final two laps, where the trio was jam packed when nearing the finish line. Nearly bumping into one another as they exited the whoop section and over the we all jump, Lawrence somehow maintained composure and sped to the race victory! The applause could be heard around the stadium, even from his brother Jett Lawrence who was behind the starting gate in the following heat...and in the main event, the number ninety-six (who started twelfth) again showed remarkable speed despite the deteriorating racetrack. With the circuit now unrecognizable, Lawrence was mindful to spare his foot-pegs amongst the deepest ruts; remaining in the correct stance, while bouncing from bump to bump that had formed on straightaways and in corners alike. His march to the front of the field was steady, but it seemed as if Lawrence acquired knowledge that was continuously amplifying as the moto progressed. Making definite passes on athletes like Adam Cianciarulo and Malcolm Stewart, the hunt for a high-profile single-digit finish continued as the fifteenth minute was completed. Overtaking Jason Anderson, and then both, Justin Cooper and Justin Barcia in the final four laps of action, proved that Lawrence's stamina was distinguished! Eventually accelerating to the line in seventh overall, Hunter's performance in Seattle appeared to reveal a portion of his full potential on the 450cc chassis.

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