A thrilling eighth place finish in the East/West Shootout 250SX main event at the Monster Energy AMA Supercross finals in Las Vegas has Australian standout Hayden Mellross already eager to race-on in 2018.

51FIFTY Energy Drink Yamaha’s Mellross starred in an action-packed title-decider by running third for much of the race’s first half, eventually crossing the line a solid eighth to secure 11th in the West Coast 250SX standings, despite missing multiple rounds.

“Vegas was great and I’m extremely happy I could finish the season off that way,” 21-year-old Mellross told MotoOnline.com.au. “I made it hard for myself by going through the LCQ, but once I made it to the main event I just told myself to relax and go have fun.

“I felt like I did exactly that and after a great start from out wide, I capitalised on some other people’s mistakes and then held my own for a good 10 minutes before I tightened up and started making some small mistakes. To finish eighth in the east vs west main event was by far one of my highlights this season and I’m already excited and looking forward to 2018 supercross!”

Not scheduled to contest the Pro Motocross season, Mellross was initially considering coming home to Australia for selected rounds of the MX Nationals with DPH Motorsport Yamaha, however will instead remain in the US to continue working with his trainer Tim Ferry in case an opportunity outdoors arises.

“As far as plans go for the next few months, that’s all up in the air,” he explained. “I plan to stay here in America with my trainer Tim Ferry and just keep training. If the opportunity does come up where I have the chance to race a few AMA Pro Motocross rounds then that would be ideal, but until then I’ll just be in Florida training.”

Later this year, Mellross has confirmed that he will return home for the Australian Supercross Championship with the DPH Motorsport Yamaha organisation in the SX2 class, in which he fell just short of the crown last season when his YZ250F stopped during the Sunday AUS-X Open final.