Page 114 - Issue_39

ADAM ENTICKNAP
450 SX / 22ND
IMAGE / MPG WORDS / ECKERT DESIGN / WILSON
>> A true weekend warrior, Adam Enticknap spends his time on the road float- ing from round to round via corner stores and rest stop bathroom breaks. At the same time, being unable to return home for several weeks due to living the realist form of privateer life, the seven-duece-duece has had quite the journey thus far in 2017. Now, with the race schedule traveling even further East from California for round 9 in Toronto, Adam’s hunger was peaking as he looked to make his fourth main event of the year. Qualifying 24th and earning the twelfth gate pick in heat one, Enticknap got a top ten start to open the night. After being pushed to 11th by lap two, Adam moved to 12th behind his younger brother, and fellow road warrior, Tyler, when both riders were passed swiftly by Cole Seely early in the race. By the time Adam was able to make a move on little Enticknap, the race was practi- cally over and both looked to their Semi for another chance. As Semi 2 started, Enticknap, again, found himself in the top ten but unable to make any sort of challenge, he was forced to settle after jumping into 7th on lap two. In an instant, with only a three minute last chance qualifier left, the night grew dimmer.
As the gate dropped, though, a great jump brightened his chances when Adam found himself in qualifying position following the first turn. Dicing with Nick Schmidt on the opening lap, the two traded spots before Adam fell off the back tire of the #75 Suzuki. Dropping to fourth, Adam grabbed with the final ticket to the big show. Achieving the goal, making the miles away from home disappear, Adam faltered off the line in the main event and reached the first turn in 19th. Able to hold the spot through plenty of carnage for the first four minutes, a mis- take cost the Honda rider two positions, dropping him to 21st. Inheriting a size- able gap over the unlucky Jason Anderson, Adam coasted for the first half of the race before he began to feel the heat from the ruthless Husqvarna rider. With just over six minutes left, the levy broke and Enticknap gave way to El Hombre, as Anderson got by. Enticknap, then, found himself in 22nd and losing steam quickly. Unable to muster any more juice, Adam rode out the remainder of the race in last place. Despite the difficulties, a main event finish is all the #722 needed to end a successful night.
114 GRITMOTO • MARCH 5, 2017