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SCOTT CHAMPION
250 SX / SD
IMAGE / MPG WORDS / HARNISHFEGER DESIGN / WILSON
>> Scott Champion has been a staple in the So Cal racing com- munity over the last several years. The local product consistent- ly puts in solid performances during the 250 West Coast series and he was planning on doing the same here in 2017 but the Ride Motorsports Home Depot Yamaha rider failed to make the main event at Anaheim 1 finishing one spot out of the final LCQ transfer spot. That lit a fire under him in the week leading up to San Diego and he was determined to not let that happen again. Champion came in locked and loaded and set forth the fifteenth fastest lap time in qualifying practice. He looked spry and ready to battle in the night show. Unfortunately, his night would start off with a dismal start in the heat race ultimately leading to another LCQ. He got a better start than in the heat coming out fifth and then jumping up to third two laps in to secure himself the trans- fer position and his first main event of the season.
Champion shot off to a shaky start in the main emerging from lap one in fourteenth place. He initially started climbing the ranks and worked up to twelfth in the early stages but then fell victim to the hard charging duo of Jeremy Martin and Josh Han- sen. From then on, he circulated well in those mid teen positions but would lose a race long battle with Justin Starling and must finish in fifteenth place. It was an impressive performance from Champion showing his resilience after failing to make the main event at the season opener.
124 GRITMOTO • JANUARY 15, 2017