Page 54 - ISSUE 40

ALEX MARTIN
250 SX / 8TH
IMAGE /MPG WORDS / MATTINGLY DESIGN / WILSON
>> It’s that time of year in Southern Florida. Sky’s are awakening, the sun blister- ing down the necks of snowbird’s all around; the population of the state, in a con- stant state of increase as fans of motorsports events and spring breaker’s alike come to get away from the woeful temperatures of the north. College students adore these weeks in March, letting loose, having all fun and games to let their studying of midterms go the wayside. It’s a time of relaxation and fun, letting all matters of stress goes to the wayside. However, for riders such as Alex Martin the lures of Panama City Beach, Frat Lauderdale, and Miami Beach, aren’t even in their thought process. The idea of Florida represents Daytona, and a pivotal mo- ment to spark interest of team owners in the industry. He knew what he must do as his semi rolled into these pristine grounds, and the attitude of a champion was born from the moment his tire laid tread on the track. Pushing throughout prac- tice, a couple of small miscues had rattled the steering stem a bit, but he would push all fear to the rearview; letting the 250f echo with a double clutch and whip to the right, letting the exhaust of the machine breathe towards the fans who lined the apron; the end would cultivate with an immaculate heat race win, and solid momentum heading into the main event. With the qualifying process inheriting
his place into the 22 man field, it was now or never, he had to capture the energy within, and push on. The sound of the pack in turn one was excruciating, his ears ringing just from the rev limiters of each and every brand alike. Ninth place was all he could muster on the green flag lap. With his visor down, he pushed with
his right elbow cocked at 90 degrees. Soaring over the latter of two triples, he would push the competition the outside as he gripped the front brake pads for all they had on the inside roller. With the feet coming off both pegs in portions of the track (left-right chicane) before finish line, he knew the track was only going to get rougher. But the field wasn’t going to relinquish any pressure, so he pressed on. Fluctuating in the final few laps near 7th-9th positions, he found himself at home in eighth, taking the final checkered flag here. And although not an ideal result, he would live to ride another day.
54 GRITMOTO • MARCH 12, 2017