race recap
MAX ANSTIE | GRIT-216 | 250SX
April 17, 2023 · Max Anstie
MAX ANSTIE | GRIT-216 | SX 250
Looking to rekindle the speed that propelled him to a number of top-tier finishes thus far in the 250cc East Coast Championship, Max Anstie was well aware of the difficulties this Atlanta Speedway circuit would bring. Not only had the layout been doused with water on Friday, but the lengthened lap-times and distance of configuration this circuit would provide would test the riders to the highest magnitude. Nevertheless, Anstie exploded onto the raceway while leaping through the multiple doubles of the finish-line area, scrubbing his way to a final standing of seventh, just in front of Tom Vialle. This led to his placement in the second heat, where he was surrounded by names like Nate Thrasher, Jordon Smith, and Jeremy Martin as lap number one came to fruition. Anstie would stand strong within the fourth-place residency, hoping to distance himself from Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Chris Blose by the time the first few minutes would transpire. His line(s) within the middle section of the track (just near the mechanic's area) were embodying his MXGP roots, where he'd accrued success at various courses throughout Europe that were filled with sand in year's past. His Fire Power Honda would be prolific past the third circuit, where it seemed as though the British rider would house (and sustain) a placement of fourth as he and the field neared the checkered flag. Claiming the aforementioned fourth-place result prior to advancing to the main event, he would exit the raceway and head back to the pit area knowing that the pace was set to rise once more for the finalé. Immediately as the green flag was thrown for this points paying segment, Anstie would seek to obtain a position inside the top-five of the running order. There was little room for error as he wheel-tapped his way through the tunnel, with the transitions of the rollers becoming deep with an array of grooves which could be categorized as "momentum halting." Anstie was on fire as he squared-up, (and over) the step-up prior to the departing double that led to the outlying left-hander on the infield layout; where he hoped to embody the same sense of speed that fellow Honda rider, Hunter Lawrence would possess as well. Laps four, five, and six were critical junctures that separated much of the top ten from those outside of the top fourteen (or so); as Anstie seemed to engage in a series of sprints that would nullify the charge of even Jo Shimoda, who was returning to pre-injury form. But Shimoda wasn't going to settle, and would proceed to make a pass on Anstie in the latter whoop section with only seven minutes remaining on the clock. Once passed, Max remained courageous and fought through the deterring conditions; as the track was marred with ruts and bumps of all sizes. Then sixth at that point, he too would claim a position on the leaderboard due to the unfortunate crash of Nate Thrasher; which propelled him to fifth in the final moments, which was extremely solid given the conditions of this Atlanta atmosphere.