RJ HAMPSHIRE - GRIT 238 250SX

RJ HAMPSHIRE | GRIT-238 | 250 SX

Knowing that the Triple Crown format was the epitome of consistency and persistence amongst three main events, RJ Hampshire seemed eager to begin the opening race of the night after qualifying well with notable practice time(s). Rocketing from the gate with a timely clutch release for the first of three moto's, his fight and sense of determination would lead him to fourth as the green flag waved; only bike lengths behind Nate Thrasher and Ryder DiFrancesco. The battle for third would carry into the halfway point (after the GasGas athlete was passed), where Hampshire's speed through the multi-plateaued rhythm lane and accompanying rolling corner, were enough to solidify a position gained after sections of hard-fought action. Now second, it was a race against the clock in order to try and secure the lead from Levi Kitchen. The race narrowed, and the lunge toward the checkered flag couldn't have been more competitive; with Hampshire displaying his patented "late-race charge" with an all-out assault of daring moves being presented on his behalf, while storming into the final corner! Though just missing the first place position as the checkered wave, he was finalized in second and ready to move forward. The battle for the lead was rather instantaneous in the next moto, where he would stalk Phil Nicoletti for multiple moments of action; making the move on the Yamaha rider just after the finish-line and seven minutes on the clock remained. Now into the lead, Hampshire appeared to be in command of the field...until a literal two-corner remaining narrative, was the foundation for a climax of an ending! Kitchen would push Hampshire to the outside in the corner before the "SX" triple, but RJ wasn't going to shut off and proceeded to power from the aforementioned outside, into the next corner with Levi only inches to his left! Standing the Kawasaki rider up with a respectable block pass in the corner before the final takeoff, it was Hampshire who claimed victory in dramatic fashion! Beginning the third moto just outside of the top five, Hampshire was urgently trying to make moves while quarreling with Jordon Smith and Jo Shimoda. He then crashed in the latter whoop section with just over three minutes remaining, diving off-track to the inside and forced to remount outside of the top five. He somehow managed to garner a finish of seventh as the checkered flag was thrown, scoring a runner-up overall with his tremendous finishes in the first two motos; while staying well within the title chase.

More from GRIT