race recap
RJ HAMPSHIRE GRIT-222 250MX
June 5, 2023 · Rj Hampshire
RJ HAMPSHIRE | GRIT-222 | SX 250
Known for his willingness to charge from start to finish, regardless of which racetrack he competed on, Florida's RJ Hampshire would again embody a sense of aggression and determination while racing in Hangtown that was hard for others to replicate within the 250cc division. Hampshire would flourish in practice while competing for the pole position, which led to a final standing of second being garnered prior to the green flag waving for the opening moto of the afternoon. His start would be a bit less than desired though, with a twelfth-place position being obtained prior to moving to tenth before the next lap was completed. Hampshire was on the move, and it was a race against time (while fighting for clear track) in regard to how far he could climb in the moto one standings. Minute by minute, RJ would send his Husqvarna flying to the highest velocities around the Hangtown Raceway; passing opponents like Ryder DiFrancesco and Tom Vialle as he moved into the top-six behind Guillem Farres. The number eighty-eight was riding extremely well, but after urgent searching in regard to finding faster lines, it would be the Floridian who made the move on the Yamaha rider prior to lap fourteen being completed. He was now into fifth, behind Kawasaki's Jo Shimoda; and though ultimately unable to work his way around the Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki rider, Hampshire's run for fifth would be noted by all in attendance as he exited the raceway. Not long thereafter would moto two begin, and RJ's opening standing of thirteen would again, be less than optimal for his desired championship run. Nevertheless, Hampshire fought through the pack with the utmost intensity; wheel-tapping his way through the rollers with unparalleled fearlessness while walking the ride of danger at any given point. He was into tenth by lap four, and as circuits progressed (and fatigued would amount for his opponents) Hampsire would capitalize on the lapse in stamina by his opponents...leading to him catching the rear wheel of Haiden Deegan and Chance Hymas while eventually contending for a top-five spot. He would overtake the Honda rider with three laps to go, and would try and do the same to Deegan as the checkered flag neared. His effort would be apparent as he jumped off the track in the final stages of the moto, showing that he was giving it all he had after solidifying his spot in fifth on the leaderboard. And as the checkered flag was eventually thrown, it would be the number twenty-four who resided in a fifth-place overall standing, via well-respected moto scores (of multiple fifths) in both moto's as well.