Page 24 - Issue34

JUSTIN HILL
250 SX / AZ
IMAGE / MPG WORDS / LANNAN DESIGN / WILSON
>> Justin Hill has re-found his home at Pro Circuit Kawi for the 2017 season and is looking stronger than ever. So far, it is working out great for Justin as his year is going very similar to his 2016 250 East season where he finished 5th, 2nd, and 1st in the first three races, respectively. Oddly enough, Justin had mirrored those finishes exactly in the 2017 West Coast region races going into Glendale on Saturday, but he was determined to break that mirror as he DNF’d the third round in 2016. Justin started off the day looking strong as he jumped to the top of the board early and posted the fastest lap going into the night program. He got a great jump as the gate dropped for 250 Heat 2, and made his way into 2nd place quickly. Justin railed around the outside
in the sand section and was able to make the pass on Nicoletti for the lead. He would cruise to a victory and hope to repeat his performance in the Main. Justin got off to a great start as the 250s roared down the long start straight
in the Main event. He was able to take a mid line in the first corner and came out in 4th place by the second corner. Justin pushed his way forward early and was challenging Shane McElrath for 2nd place before the first lap was over. Shane quickly regained his composure and Justin set his focus on the race in front of him. Now, Justin had his teammate in front of him who was passed by McElrath. Justin made a pass on Austin just a few laps later but Austin was able to pass him right back on the start straight section. Justin was then able to make the pass stick around the halfway point and set his sights on Shane in front of him. Justin continued to gain a half of a second a lap on the leader until he had finally reached him. With three laps to go, he made a run through the whoops as a lapped rider made his way between them in the corner after. Justin was able to out drive Shane down the next straightaway and take the lead. Shane passed him back in the next corner and the battle raged on. Justin then made a final block pass in the corner after the whoops and the rest was history. It looked as though Justin would break the bad luck and score back to back wins as he did exactly that. He now sits just 4 points behind leader, Shane, in the points standings.
24 GRITMOTO • JANUARY 29, 2017