Image: Octopi Media.

After receiving an 11th-hour opportunity with Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha in 250SX East, Kyle Chisholm’s debut with the factory team was limited to P12 in Detroit’s main event following a costly early mistake.

Chisholm, now 34 and a long time privateer, was previously running his own ‘Team Chiz’ program equipped with a YZ450F in 450SX, his best result this season before receiving the call from Star Racing being 13th at Daytona.

The opportunity opened with the factory-backed organization after both its 250SX East riders – Jeremy Martin and Levi Kitchen – were forced to the sidelines from injuries sustained earlier in the year.

During Saturday night’s final in 250SX East, Chisholm made a fast start to cross the holeshot line inside the top three. The Star Racing debutant however quickly dropped to 12th following a mistake on lap three, unable to mount a charge forwards from that point on.

“My first race on the 250 with only a couple days on it was a learning experience,” Chisholm reflected. “The team worked all day to get me more and more comfortable on the bike with such a limited amount of time.

“Qualifying went well and I was happy with fourth in the heat race. I ripped an amazing start in the main and almost had the holeshot, but came out in second place. Unfortunately, a couple of laps in, I made an uncharacteristic mistake and lost a lot of time, so that was a bummer and didn’t lead to the result I know I’m capable of, but we’ll work hard this week and come back again in Indianapolis.”

With another week to adapt to the YZ250F and Star Racing surrounds, Chisholm will have the chance to show his progress this Saturday evening when Monster Energy Supercross resumes in Indianapolis.