Image: Octopi Media

Seth Hammaker’s first Monster Energy Supercross experience and a sixth-place finish in Orlando showed he has the potential to compete in the 250SX West class this season.

The latest rider to sign to Mitch Payton’s legendary Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki team started his professional career with a top 10 finish and some encouraging pace throughout the day.

The rookie kicked off his day by topping both B Group qualifying sessions and subsequently landing himself second overall in combined times heading into the night show.

Despite some first race nerves, when the gate dropped on his heat race Hammaker jumped out front of teammates Cameron McAdoo and Jordon Smith to lead the opening three laps of his Supercross career.

“My day started out well as I qualified second,” said Hammaker. “I would be lying to you if I told you that I wasn’t nervous lining up for my first pro race tonight. It was awesome when I got the holeshot in the heat race and was able to lead some laps. Once Cameron [McAdoo] got by me, I just wanted to learn from him and see where I could be faster on the track.”

While the 20-year-old continued his great form in the main event, a run-in with Garrett Marchbanks (ClubMX Yamaha) put him on the ground early on.

“The main event was pretty wild, and I had a good spot on the restart, but I got some help from another rider who took me out before the finish line jump, so I had my work cut out for me and was able to get back up to sixth,” he continued. “All in all, it was a great first day of getting my feet wet in the class and now have a point where we can build off of.”

Hammaker will now have two weeks to build on his moment before the second round of the 250SX West championship, as the series takes a short break ahead of the next round in Daytona on 6 March.