race recap
MAX ANSTIE | GRIT-207 | 250SX
February 7, 2023 · Max Anstie
MAX ANSTIE | GRIT-207 | 250SX
The British rider stepped into unbeknownst territory on Saturday night, springing into action from the moment practice began early in the afternoon hours. The Fire Power Honda rider would enact an incredible pace while sprinting through both timed practice sessions, capturing the pole position and setting an immaculate tone to the rest of the division that the industry in awe. This persona would carry into the heat race as well, where he and Jordon Smith battled head to head for the race lead, with the Yamaha rider moving forward prior to taking the green flag. Smith was riding extremely well and error free while keeping Anstie at bay; though the number sixty-three (of Anstie) wasn't going to let the Yamaha rider slip away that easily. These corners promoted tremendous amounts of speed and allowed the England native to hit the highest of RPM's before proceeding into sections thereafter. His clutch lever would nearly drag the terrain beneath him at times, including in the corner after the "SX" triple and before the whoops as well. Staying within striking distance of the Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha rider, Anstie could take over the lead at a moment's notice. And though that moment would never come, his ability to reside second would be maintained through the checkered flag; providing an excellent foundation for the main event to follow. Clicking into second gear, he combatted the power of his Honda 250F by leaning over the front of the handlebars. His efforts to fight the tremendous RPM of the transmission would be equated to a fourth-place position on the opening lap, which was a residency he could move forward from. Nearly overtaking Hunter Lawrence as he went off track, it would be Chance Hymas who was the first opponent to be passed; pushing Anstie to third with the Australian and Tom Vialle now ahead of him. Anstie would follow the ninety-six for as long as possible before the KTM acted as the separator amongst the two Honda's. There was an opportunity to take over the runner-up residency before the beginning of lap eight though, and Anstie would seize it; now looking at Hunter Lawrence in the crosshairs as the halfway point was on the horizon. Though immense battles then occurred behind him, with a plethora of surging rookies lurking in the distance, Anstie's confidence remained solidified in second. He maintained the silver-medal registry from that point forward and would come across the line with a runner-up designation in hand...a definitive career highlight and an excellent initiation to this East Coast run.