RJ HAMPSHIRE - GRIT 234 250SMX

RJ HAMPSHIRE | GRIT-234 | 250 SMX

Though battered and bruised on multiple occasions throughout the 2023 season, Florida's RJ Hampshire would come out swinging for the final race of the SMX Playoff series. Yearning to rekindle his baseball roots and blast a grand slam of sorts in order to clench a generous sum of money, Hampshire's will to succeed was noted by all in attendance as the green flag eventually waved for the first main event of the evening. With Tom Vialleleading the field around, Hampshire would fight for traction (and position) to claim fifthin the earliest stages of this initial showcase. Flying atop the outbound uphill, Hampshire would spring onto the highest corner on the track - flat-tracking per se before coming back down and racing into the view of the masses with his Husqvarna engine pinned. There was little that could deter him from advancing in the running order, and after passing Jalek Swoll (for fourth) on lap five, it was then a matter of following Jordon Smith to the pinnacle of the field where Tom Vialle and Haiden Deegan awaited him. The opportunity to make hard-charging/pivotal passes would be presented on multiple occasions - where Hampshire would aggressively move forward (and around) that of Haiden Deegan on lap eleven, while conducting a series of smooth line(s) to promote a pass on Tom Vialle just two circuits later! It even appeared as if he'd narrowed the gap between he and Jordon Smith as they were on the cusp of the checkered flag...but it would be too little, too late, for the veteran (Hampshire). Nevertheless, an admirable second-place standing was acquired prior to moving into the following moto. Hoping to leave it all on the racetrack for the final round of racing in this particular series, Hampshire attempted to nullify the rising of the front-end of his Husqvarna 250F and engage into a position of eighthas racing transpired in the SMX World Championship final. Floating through the sandiest portion of the raceway with ease, he then attacked the forthcoming right-handed corner with an emphasis on moving his weight close to the front of the machine - all the while keeping Jalek Swoll and Mitchell Oldenburg at bay. It was evident that Hampshire's determination was at the forefront of his racing aptitude, however the stamina of the Floridian seemed to be rather expended when passes weren't made as quickly as his moto-one quest. But RJ remained adamant on moving as far forward as possible before the final bell rang, keeping the aforementioned Jalek Swoll behind him while even overtaking Maximus Vohland in the final moments! Therefore for this eighteen-lap showcase, it would be Hampshire's effort (for sixth) that equated to a hard-fought third overall on the day.

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