Page 22 - GRIT-80

SHANE MCELRATH
250 MX / 6TH
IMAGE / LANG WORDS / MATTINGLY DESIGN / MOTOPLAYGROUND
>> High Point MX, a place with years and years of history, and a staple on the circuit for numerous decades. Some of the wildest fans, with the craziest antics, and a track that leaves all in attendance begging for more. The aura that lingers above the valley hovers like a sea of fog, waiting to captivate and submerge all who choose to come her. Shane McElrath embodies it to the fullest, and upon walking out of the semi to begin his rst quali cation session, he would take a big breath in, and grasp all of the pristine scent he could. He seemed ultra relaxed throughout quali cation, hitting lines that were a tad bit unorthodox, and maybe a little excessive at times. However, he knew that if a bad start
or crash were to arise, he may have to think a bit outside of the box, in order to make passes. And the aforementioned notion would come to play shortly thereafter, as he looked to nagle his way to the front following the dropping of the gate. Sorting through these hand-picked, star-studded riders, he would pluck and chuck every piece of competi- tion he could on his quest to the podium. Finding himself in close conjunction with Jordon Smith, the two would be a terrorizing tandem throughout the majority of the race. Pushing the envelope in both vertical and horizontal fashion, any rhythm lane, or roller section in sight would be demolished. The engine would be absolutely screaming to the hilt, with the head of the piston nearly about to explode inside the cylinder. He knew his machine could handle it though, getting a nod of reassurance by his mechanic with each passing. Gell- ing with the bike in perfect harmony, the white ag would begin to come out. The referee would wave with all of his might, and he knew only one lap would be between him and the end of it all; he would nish strong, taking ninth. The start of the second moto was shortly thereafter, and the track was absolutely getting chewed to pieces. With bumps scattered all around, some of them were managing to get about knee high, and the suspension was forced to go into overdrive. His arms would begin to pump with lactic acid, yet his grip re- mained in a life or death scenario; shaking lose over the far, sky-reaching tabletop before the valley, he relinquished the hold for a brief second. And back to the throttle he would go, leaving only he and the nal lap to endure. Both he and machine would be fatigued, and crossing the line, his nal tally would be that of sixth and sixth overall.
22 GRITMOTO • JUNE 17, 2018