Image: Supplied (Feld Motor Sports, Inc)

The opening free practice sessions of the first-ever SuperMotocross World Championship (SMX) Finals series hit the track at ZMax Dragway in North Carolina on Friday, where Chase Sexton and Seth Hammaker set the early benchmark.

A unique format for SMX saw official sessions take place this afternoon following the pre-event press conference, with two sessions each for both the 450 and 250 categories.

Current Monster Energy Supercross champion and number one seed leading into Charlotte, Sexton topped the charts overall at 1m13.697s to edge Team Honda HRC teammate Jett Lawrence’s 1m13.895, the newly-crowned 450MX champion who was quickest in the opening session earlier.

Third-fastest was Jason Anderson (Monster Energy Kawasaki), marginally ahead of Ken Roczen (HEP Progressive Ecstar Suzuki), with Adam Cianciarulo (Monster Energy Kawasaki) filling the top-five. Time progressively dropped as riders adapted to the hybrid-type, high-speed supercross-inspired layout.

Positions six through 10 included Aaron Plessinger (Red Bull KTM), Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing signing Cooper Webb – on debut with the YZ450F – alongside new SMX teammate Dylan Ferrandis, Colt Nichols (RWR Madd Parts Kawasaki) and Dean Wilson (Fire Power Honda).

Image: Supplied (Feld Motor Sports, Inc).

The 250SMX class was topped by Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Hammaker, his 1m14.426s a full eight-tenths quicker than new outdoor champion Hunter Lawrence (Team Honda HRC).

Trailing Lawrence was Jordon Smith (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing) in his return to competition, Tom Vialle (Red Bull KTM), Justin Cooper (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing) and Max Vohland (Red Bull KTM) – each lapping within the 1m15s bracket.

Completing the top 10 were Jo Shimoda (Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki), Levi Kitchen (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing), Haiden Deegan (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing) and RJ Hampshire (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna), who is another rider back for SMX action.

Saturday will see the premier 450SMX and 250SMX classes contest a pair of 20-minute plus one-lap motos to determine the opening playoff round winners, in addition to the 65cc All-Stars making an appearance this weekend.

Detailed results