JO SHIMODA GRIT-227 250MX

JO SHIMODA | GRIT-227 | 250MX

Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Jo Shimoda was continuing to rise, in regard to speed and overall results, throughout the 2023 outdoor championship in recent memory. He had returned to the form of old and proceeded to prove at Southwick, that he could still obtain victory when placed within an optimal position on the racetrack. Shimoda seemed to actualize his potential through sand(y) soils for both, that of the Massachusetts round and the terrain in Minnesota - which was showcased throughout a myriad of practice laps where he eventually clenched a standing of sixth-place, prior to moving into the moto's that followed. His reaction time as he launched over his respective gate would be phenomenal, and it was as though he saw no-one in his peripheral view when storming into turn number-one that followed. He was shifting through the transmission as quickly as possible, putting all of his weight to the rear of the motorcycle when flying across the accompanying straightaway - where he gathered the hole-shot designation and did his best to put as much distance between he and the rest of the field as possible. Shimoda was sensational with a perfectly prepped track in front of him, flying from berm to berm at the height of his RPM range, using the clutch as necessary and nullifying his application(s) of the braking systems. Jo was on-point while running extremely fast lap-times, and paying little attention to anyone behind him. Though Haiden Deegan would rival him initally, Shimoda developed a significant gap on the rookie...but would notice Hunter Lawrence coming into view around the sixth and seventh circuits. It was then a matter of pulling away from the Australian to the best of his ability, but the gap was unfortunately closed with around five laps to go. Position on the racetrack was crucial as the clock struck zero, with Lawrence now side-by-side when compared to Shimoda's Kawasaki...and the two were willing to lay it all on the line in order to grasp victory! Fender to fender through a multitude of turns, it would be at the very beginning of sixteenth-lap when Hunter's power output (to the outside of the wall jump just after the finish-lien) would have him able to propel just a bit further forward than Shimoda's Kawasaki...giving Hunter the lead, where he eventually sprinted to the checkered flag. Though second on the final jump, Shimoda would be motivated to repeat his efforts in the following round of racing as well. He occupied a standing of fifth when passing by the green flag thereafter, dodging roost from a multitude of rear tires while manual(ing) atop Mt.Martin and the array of rollers. The ruts had become rather concrete on all aspects of the racetrack, and Shimoda was able to maneuver his chassis rather well amongst the trenches; making moves on Ryder DiFrancesco and Levi Kitchen before the halfway point, where he then watched Justin Cooper from afar. Doing everything possible to overtake the New York native, Cooper's speed was just a bit too much for this occasion...and Shimoda looked to be cemented in third. However, a crash (on behalf of Hunter Lawrence) in the final stages, was a mistake that Shimoda nearly took advantage of - where he was only feet from the ninety-six machine at the finish-line! Eventually finalized in third, his overall performance would equate to a position on the podium (as well) to conclude his tenure in Minnesota.

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