RJ HAMPSHIRE GRIT-226 250MX

RJ HAMPSHIRE | GRIT-226 | 250MX

Florida's RJ Hampshire had been accustomed to the sand since the inception of his motorcycle racing career, gathering as much knowledge as anyone else in the 250cc division prior to beginning the trek amongst the legendary Southwick circuit. This layout was unlike any other on the national tour, yet it was a course that certainly played into the hand of the Husqvarna rider as action began on Saturday. With practice concluding in the morning hours, it was then time to focus on the initial laps of the first moto; where the gate(s) crashed to the ground and particles of sand were thrown in a myriad of ways from dozen's of rear wheels. Cresting the finish-line on lap number one, the athlete for Rockstar Energy racing would be incredible with his aspirations; running at height of third and fourth gear around countless outside berms while attempting to infiltrate the pinnacle of the running position(s). The first set of switchbacks after the start straightaway were critical, with countless braking bumps accompanying a slight drop-off of sorts; where Hampshire would hop into the initial right-handed sequence with his machine revved to the maximum velocity. There was little that he could do though, to pull away from Honda's Hunter Lawrence, who quickly attempted to mimic the number twenty-four as they passed through roughly ten minutes of action. Their flow would lead them to the rear wheel of Seth Hammaker, who was roosting the front number-plate of Hampshire when they passed the halfway mark...and RJ's patience was beginning to thin. Therefore, a decisive move would be made with just over thirteen-minutes remaining on the clock, where Hampshire blitzed his way past the Kawasaki rider and simultaneously occupied third. Once here, it was a process of tracking-down Justin Cooper and Tom Vialle before the checkered flag was thrown, but that was to no avail. However, Hampshire had to be proud of his performance gathering of third as the checkered flag waved, seeking to replicate his score amongst second moto action that was destined to follow. Beginning the next exhibition in sixth, Hampshire's ability to make passes would allow him to move into fifth by lap-three; where he then saw the jersey of Yamaha's Justin Cooper, ahead in the foreground. Hampshire's charge to overtake the New York native was relentless, which led to both riders eventually passing Kawasaki's Seth Hammaker who ever so slightly began to fade. His pass on the Kawasaki rider would occur just after the halfway point, in the bending rollers that proceeded the Buckley Berm - proving that his stamina was adequate and a means to continue standing amongst a roughened circuit. Hampshire's rear wheel would spin as he sped through various insides, clutching the Husqvarna with all of his might as he attempted to dig for a furthered position that was higher than the fourth-place he currently occupied. And though just short of overtaking Vialle at the line (who claimed third), Hampshire's consistent ways throughout the day (of three-four scores) would position him well into the overall standings (via fourth); generating a spectacular sum of points all the while!

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