MAX ANSTIE | GRIT-220 | 250SX

MAX ANSTIE | GRIT-220 | SX 250

With another round of high altitude being present for all who raced in Salt Lake City, those in the 250cc SX division (where both coasts were combined) would be especially keen on creating as much power from their respective engines when compared to many other races in the season...including Britain's Max Anstie and his Fire Power Honda. For qualification, his mechanic and accompanying crew members were adamant about gathering as much intel and knowledge about their particular set-up as possible; where subtle changes to the motorcycle were made between various practice session(s). And by all means, would the intricacies of Anstie's mechanic pay off; as he presented an array of strong laps to begin his heat race for the final round of the 2023 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship. Flying through the rhythm lane just after the whoops (on laps one and two) he would carve one of the strongest grooves atop the berm that followed as he leaned his Honda at a nearly forty-five degree angle! Though he was mindful of what Jeremy Martin behind him was capable of, and would safeguard the following ninety-degree corners where the inside(s) were rather advantageous. You could hear his Honda motor yearn for every ounce of power possible when blistering his way past the mechanic's area, shifting into fourth gear just before descending into the series of switchbacks where roost would be flung in a projectile-like manner from his rear wheel. Ultimately evading that of Michael Hicks who amassed a late race charge, his expertise would gather a position of seventh before heading into the main event. The chaos though, that ensued, was unprecedented for some riders outside of the top-fifteen; as they hadn't experienced the magnitude of a series finalé (and Showdown format) that often, thus far in their professional career(s). But Anstie was steadfast in his weaving through the pack, riding with his elbows wide in the corners before and after the whoop section, where a number of riders would attempt to dart into the apex of the turn without any regard for where he stood! Escaping the first third of the race with few mistakes, there would be a shift in the attitude of those outside of the top-ten as the halfway point came to pass. Some were fatigued, and others, began to back down their pace (ever so slightly) in regard to the deteriorating surface beneath their wheels. But Hunter Lawrence and Haiden Deegan were a tandem that were blistering through the field, and with championship implications on the line (i.e. the battle for second in the 250cc East Coast category) there was absolutely no time to waste in regard to pursuing the finish line! He would do all in his power to keep Hunter Lawrence at bay (for sixth), which would technically give him an advantage over Haiden Deegan (who also closely trailed in this moto) for the runner-up overall designation in the final championship standings. However, the Honda rider would make his way around in the final segments, which pushed Anstie to seventh...and third in the championship (by only one point)! However, a seventh-place result to conclude the series was still admirable, and would grant Anstie the confidence to come out swinging for the following year, as well.

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