race recap
RJ HAMPSHIRE - GRIT 246 250SX
May 21, 2024 · Rj Hampshire
GRIT-246 |250 SX
May 20, 2024 9:45 am
Florida's RJ Hampshire knew that a climb to the top of the leaderboard was imminent. Understanding that he must, stay as close to Levi Kitchen as possible, Hampshire's effort(s) (from the moment the green flag waved in the opening qualifying session) were beyond admirable. He was a consensus favorite for an exceptional overall result, and plunged into the opening bend of moto-one with his sights set on competing at the highest level. Blasting through the whoops at the height of the transmission, Hampshire appeared near the sixth-place residency after a few minutes of competition - pursuing a pair of Yamaha's (Nate Thrasher and Jordon Smith) while approaching the halfway point. Eventually moving past Thrasher, Hampshire retained fourth while pressuring Smith with a heavy presence when nearing the finish line...though unable to work his way around the Star Yamaha rider, the fourth place position earned, kept him well within the fight for a solid overall score. Though starting around the seventh place standing (for round two) Hampshire acquired various positions while overtaking opponents like Ryder DiFrancesco. Eventually established in fifth, as minutes had dwindled, he pinpointed the whoop section as a means to work his way around Nate Thrasher (for fourth)...and with a brilliant cut-back maneuver being presented (while leaping to the left of the Tennessean) the move was eventually made with the white flag nearing. Now pursuing Jo Shimoda, RJ would be just short at the line despite a valiant effort...claiming fourth before moving into the latter stage of the evening. He was just off the pace of Levi Kitchen to begin the final round, but the Floridian was going to give it everything he had per se, in order to track-down the Washington native. He (Hampshire) distanced his machine from Shimoda who was in third, but throughout the eleven minute contest, the Husqvarna native couldn't do much in regard to diminishing the gap between he and the leader (Kitchen). Ultimately residing second as the checkered flag was thrown, RJ's assembly of four-four-two scores, would establish him in fourth overall on the evening.