race recap
RJ HAMPSHIRE | GRIT-209 | 250SX
February 20, 2023 · Rj Hampshire
RJ HAMPSHIRE | GRIT-209 | SX 250
Continuing to showcase a veteran-like aptitude, RJ Hampshire would again toss his name into the hat of potential victorious contenders as action began in Northern California. He was firing on all cylinders as practice began, blasting through both whoop sections and continuing to skim the moguls as they decayed. It was easy to sense how comfortable he was on the chassis of the Husqvarna, especially as berms would amount and added a bit of cushion on the outskirt of the raceway. His mantra of "speed" would continue into heat race action as well, where RJ and Max Vohland were quickly immersed in battle. The two opponents were gauging each other around the circuit, though the younger of the two competitors (i.e. Vohland) was holding his own while launching various obstacles around the circuit. Yet even with a gigantic quadruple launch (after the finish-line) it would be Hampshire who chose to engage in a game of cat and mouse, with his California comrade. They were brake checking one another, though respectful, in their swapping of the lead. RJ's fortitude would ultimately prevail with a superb pass prior to beginning lap three...where he then proceeded to ignite a sense of speed that couldn't be blanketed. Wheel-tapping and scrubbing his way past the halfway point, he would be sound aboard the chassis as it floated through ruts and braking bumps alike with ease. Obtaining victory as he sprang across the finish-line, his accolade of first would be well-deserved prior to heading to the finale. The gate(s) then fell in front of thousands in Oakland, and Hampshire's dash of speed to the first corner would outlast everyone else in the field. He wasn't concerned with the feud, that was Jett Lawrence and Cameron McAdoo; exhibiting strong lap-times of his own, while mastering the lead designation. He would be excelling at the pinnacle of the field until just after the fourth lap began, when a lapse of focus and wash-out in the left-handed corner following the mechanic's area would have him falling to the ground! Though quickly remounting, the damage had been done in regard to him losing touch with leader (Jett Lawrence), as the Honda rider had moved forward as he laid on the ground. Hampshire wouldn't quit though, and continued to combat both, opposition and racetrack until the final lap concluded; receiving second overall, on the podium.