RJ HAMPSHIRE | GRIT-219 | 250SX

RJ HAMPSHIRE | GRIT-219 | SX 250

As practice rounds were initiated on Saturday afternoon, it was evident that Florida's RJ Hampshire was aiming for the top step of the podium throughout the course of events that were to come later in the evening. Hampshire was sensational amid all sections of the course, and would bring an outdoor/charging intensity to a track that was rather short and confined; managing to walk the line overriding the course with precision, which translated into astounding lap-times. His skills would then translate to heat number one of 250cc SX competition, where he was located just behind the Yamaha of Levi Kitchen at the start of the moto. Bike lengths would separate the two competitors, but there was little that the number twenty-four could do to instantly gain on the Washington native (who was riding extremely well out front). RJ was attacking the multitude of step-on/step-off's with an emphasis of speed that couldn't be ignored, lunging for the rear wheel of the number forty-three throughout the first few laps, and beyond the hallway point. But credit would have to be given to Levi, as he would continue to withstand pressure that was being amplified by the veteran (i.e. Hampshire). Their standings of first and second, with Hampshire cemented in the runner-up residency, would be solidified throughout the entire moto; with RJ taking the second place designation upon crossing the finish line, and entering into the main event thereafter with confidence. Once here, his reaction time when speeding from the gate would be solid, but a near slide-out in the first corner would deter his speed in the opening rhythm lane and force him to reside (roughly) within the top-five of immediate standing(s). He then moved forward to third not long thereafter, keeping Kawasaki's Carson Mumford and Yamaha's Enzo Lopes behind him, prior to making the pass on Maximus Vohland in the corner before the finish-line (with just under thirteen minutes remaining on the clock). Now into second, a climactic point would then arise in the main event narrative as Hampshire would eventually catch the number forty-three...this time with just over six minutes remaining on the timer, and around sector of obstacles that preceded the largest double on the track. Leaping upon the initial plateau on the outside, it was Hampshire who nearly had the pass made on the outside! But Kitchen's line of defense would sway to the outer limits of the raceway on the face of the aforementioned double, crowding out Hampshire and forcing him to come up short on the jump! And not only that, would he have to divert off-track (luckily) after not falling to the ground - where he returned to the raceway just after the whoop section. But Hampshire wasn't done, and would return into the immediate proximity of Kitchen with an outpouring of aggression....making the pass for the lead, with a daring charge with just under one minute remaining on the main event clock! The move was solidified in the corner after the whoops, following an incredible charge in the moguls; which granted Hampshire the lead, and an eventual winning designation as he crossed the line victorious ahead of the Yamaha rider!

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