Page 84 - Issue_60

MITCHELL HARRISON
250 SX / 14TH
IMAGE / KILPATRICK WORDS / LANNAN DESIGN / MOTOPLAYGROUND
>> The wait was over, the stage was set. The 2018 Monster Energy AMA Supercross series had finally reached its dawning. Among the stacked 250SX West Championship contenders was none other than Mitchell Harrison and he was ready for his 3rd season of professional racing. The young rider saw many top ten finishes in the past year and was looking to continue his success for 2018. Mitchell found himself signing a prestigious deal with the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna team for the new year and was excited to get his year off to a good start. The day began in Anaheim, and mitchell put his new Husqvarna to the test among his fellow competitors. He qualified inside the top ten and was set to do battle. When the gate finally dropped for the first heat of the night, Mitchell got off to a great start and was running a strong fourth place early on. A battle quickly began between Mitchell and Chase Sexton and there was lots of rubbing and bumping until Mitchell gave Chase a final love tap into the tuff blocks as the rid- ers made their way to the mechanics area. Unfortunately, just a few laps later, a mistake forced Mitchell off the track as well. He would go on to the Last Chance Qualifier. He would line up very far to the outside due to poor gate pick but he didn’t let that detour him from jumping out to a fantastic start. Mitchell railed the outside corner and secured the second place position quickly. By the second lap, he began to feel pressure from Justin Cooper. After a quick little battle he would eventually lose the position to Cooper but would do his best to follow him. Mitch- ell was able to do just that as he followed Cooper past the leader quickly and continued to put down fast laps. He would fall just short but would go on to the Main. When this one began, Mitchell had a similar gate pick but unfortunately, his preferred outside line was not available by the time he reached the first corner. He was forced to let off the throttle and focus on safely making his way through the first few sections. Mitchell found himself in 15th on the second lap and knew this was not how he wanted to start his 2018 season. He continued to push but little mistakes kept him from advancing as quick as he wanted. Mitchell would settle for fourteenth position at Anaheim and look to improve in Houston.
84 GRITMOTO • JANUARY 8, 2018