Photos Courtesy of Brown Dog Wilson
The 2021 Monster Energy A.M.A. Supercross Series finished its final round at the Atlanta Motor Speedway this past Saturday. With all three athlete’s back in action, H.E.P. Motorsports had its strongest team result so far this series with three Suzuki’s in the 450 premiere class main event. Brandon Hartranft returned to the team after being sidelined for two rounds due to COVID-related issues. Adam Enticknap had his best race since returning from injury. Max Anstie continued to show his ability in the 450-premiere class.
Max Anstie (#34) has a strong showing at the final Atlanta round.
Max Anstie (#34) – Another strong result for Anstie in Atlanta, Georgia. With only seven races under his belt in the young Brit’s inaugural 450 supercross rookie season, Max’s potential is shining through. In qualifying, he got after it quickly, putting his Twisted Tea Suzuki towards the top of the leaderboard. A collision with fellow competitor Dylan Ferrandis put a hamper on the Qualifying 1 session, relegating Max to do most of his work on a rougher track in the final Qualifying 2 session. In the heat race, Max was not able to get a good start and had to force his way into a qualifying position, maneuvering from last place to 8th in a few short laps. Max carried that momentum into the main event, racing very consistently, finishing in 16th place.
“Another race done in Atlanta,” said Max Anstie. “I wasn’t as happy with the end result. The track was tough, but we are learning each time we are out there. The team and I are definitely making steps forward. I would like to be farther up obviously. I gave it everything I had. We have to go back to the drawing board for Salt Lake. I’m looking forward to these last two in Salt Lake.”
Brandon Hartranft (#28) returns to the team after two weeks out.
Brandon Hartranft – 450-class rookie Brandon Hartranft returned to the team after being sidelined for two rounds due to COVID related issues. In his heat race, Brandon got a great start, running as high as 7th before a mistake and off-track excursion dropped him back to 16th. In the LCQ, Hartranft got another strong start and was in second for most of the race. With a few laps to go, Hartranft was knocking on the door of first place before having to dodge a downed rider in the whoops, resulting in him falling back to third. In the main event, Brandon continued to get strong starts and was racing in 16th for most of the race before going down in the whoops, ultimately finishing in 19th place.
“Coming off COVID today was not a bad day considering I missed the first two rounds,” said Brandon Hartranft. “Every time I went out there, I felt I got better and better. I was 7th in the heat then I dropped back. In the LCQ, I was able out it in the main event. In the main event I was running in 16th, but I crashed in the whoops and dropped a few spots back. Definitely a lot of positives to takeaway.”
Adam Enticknap (#722) charges the whoops on his 450 RM-Z Suzuki.
Adam Enticknap (#722) – The fan favorite “Seven Deuce-Deuce” got it done at the final round in Atlanta, Georgia. Coming back from an injury that kept him off the bike for 5 weeks with a broken collar bone, scapula and multiple ribs, Adam has been digging away to regain his past speed these past two rounds. In his Qualifier 2 session, while attempting to best his lap time, Adam crashed in the whoops; going over the bars with his bike falling on top of him. Fortunately, Adam was able to walk away with just a few bruises and a burn on his right shoulder. Determined to get back in the main event, Adam was very close to making it straight out of the heats with a 10th place finish. In the LCQ, Adam jumped out to top 5 start and pushed his way into a qualifying position, finishing in 2nd place. In the main event, Adam rode very consistent and finished the race in 21st place, a step in the right direction.
“Started off the day good at Atlanta,” said Adam Enticknap. “Definitely feeling the best. I felt these Atlanta rounds with it being my third race back. In second time practice I got a weird kick in the whoops section. It kicked me up from behind I went over the bars and the bike landed on top of me. It gave me some nice bruises and a scab down my back. I was really excited to go out there and race. I ended up finishing 10th in the heat. In the LCQ I got it done making it into the main event. The main event went well and its definitely something to build on.”
“Atlanta 3 went really well with all three guys in the main event,” said Crew Chief Clark Jones of Noleen J6 Technologies. “We tried some new things out there today with the bikes. It was good to have Brandon back with the team. All three riders rode well today, they’re safe and ready for Salt Lake City. I would have liked to see them do better in the main event. They are totally capable, but it was just one of those nights.”
Looking to build off these strong results in Atlanta, Georgia with Anstie, Enticknap and Hartranft all in attendance, expect to see H.E.P. Motorsports firing on all cylinders these remaining two rounds of the 2021 Monster Energy AMA Supercross series in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Partners: Twisted Tea Hard Iced Tea, Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (SMAI), Thor, Parts Unlimited, Mayhem Wheels, Redline Oil, Yoshimura R&D, WD-40 Brand, Holland Nut Company, 100% Speedlab, Forma Boots U.S.A., Mika Metals, Noleen J6, Showa, Works Chassis Lab, Hinson Clutch Components, Acerbis, R.S. Solar, J.E. Pistons, CV4, Motion Pro, Works Connection, Matrix Concepts, 180 Decals, Guts Factory Seats, Dunlop, VP Racing Fuels, Boyesen, DT1 Airfilters, Scar Racing Products, Superlite Technologies, Dubya U.S.A., Motostuff, X-trig, Ogio
About H.E.P. Motorsports: About H.E.P. Motorsports: Names using the initials of the founding members (George Holland, Billy Ezernack, and Dustin Pipes) H.E.P. Motorsports brings winning motocross experience, enthusiasm, and business savvy into the Supercross paddock. To learn more, visit www.HEPmotorsports.com.
About Twisted Tea Brewing Company:
Twisted Tea, the No. 1 refreshing hard tea in the country, was founded in 2001 on the twisted promise that a hard iced tea should taste like real iced tea. Incredibly smooth and refreshing, Twisted Tea is made with real brewed tea for a delicious, easy to drink hard tea available in a variety of flavors, including fan favorites, Original and Half & Half. For more information, visit www.twistedtea.com.
About Suzuki: Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (SMAI) distributes Motorcycles, ATV's, Scooters, Outboard Motors, and Automotive Parts and Accessories via an extensive dealer network throughout 49 states. Suzuki Motor Corporation (S.M.C.), based in Hamamatsu, Japan, is a diversified worldwide manufacturer of Motorcycles, ATV's, Scooters, Automobiles, Outboard Motors, and related products. Founded in 1909 and incorporated in 1920, S.M.C. has business relations with 201 countries/regions. For more information, visit www.suzuki.com.