GRIT 304 — 250SX — 4th — Jo Shimoda

nAs the pace of all in the field would escalate, so too, would the prowess of Jo Shimoda. He knew the track was set to develop rather rapidly, especially with rainfall, that had accumulated (on the track's surface) on Friday. As he leapt onto the raceway, scrubbing his way over the largest doubles on the track pockets of ruts and deepening grooves would constantly evolve. His anticipation was remarkable. And undoubtedly, a superior characteristic within his arsenal of traits. When lessening his airtime over the jumps, which proceeded the finish line, it was obvious that he was doing everything possible to garner the strongest lap time. Thus, as the final flag was thrown, he would acquire a strong gate pick for the upcoming heat race. After shifting into gear, he vaulted forward. And immediately, he set his sights on turn number one. While funneling through the opening lap, he would contend in a position of approximately third. Sustaining clear vision was of the utmost importance, and he would do his best to acquire it, while searching for a way around Daxton Bennick. Shimoda would eventually make the pass "stick" per se (at the end of the whoop section and over the

"SX" triple), before the second lap was completed.. and the Honda competitor now resided in the runner-up position. He could sense that Seth Hammaker was putting forth a relentless, offensive effort though - and the two would then battle rather significantly, on the third circuit! Though it was Hammaker who made the move ahead, and Shimoda seemed to definitively reside in the third-place territory as the last lap came to fruition. Though Seth's mistake, in the final corner of the contest, would allow Jo to claim second in the running order...where he resided as the final flag was thrown! In the main event, he stormed from the line with a rapid path of acceleration. He would reside in second, while hounding the rear wheel of Seth Hammaker. This scenario was sustained for the majority of the contest, where he remained within striking distance of the Kawasaki competitor. Though it was on lap eleven, with Cole Davies trailing him, where an unfortunate mistake in the sand would occur. Jo seemed to hit a wash-out of sorts while banking from the outside edge - and as a result, he would be tossed to the ground! Luckily, Jo remounted the motorcycle rather quickly and would only descend to fourth... where he resided, as the checkered flag was thrown!