Page 100 - ISSUE _38

RJ HAMPSHIRE
250 SX / 10TH
IMAGE / MPG WORDS / ROEWER DESIGN / WILSON
>> RJ Hampshire was on fire for the first round of the 250 East Coast season. He was able to make moves all throughout the main event, com- ing away with a fourth place finish which putting him right into the mix of things for the points chase. The Geico Honda rider put forth a solid effort during the off season and it is paying off. For the second round of his season, Hampshire was coming off a high note, and he was ready to put his red machine on to the podium. For the first race of the night, Hamp- shire got a great start out of the gate right into fourth place. He made moves early on in the race. He was able to pass Mitchell Harrison for third place. Charging hard throughout the heat race, Hampshire held onto that third place spot through to the finish. Moving onto the main event Hampshire had the confidence needed to pursue that long desired po- dium position. Getting the jump needed out of the gate, the Geico Honda rider put himself right into fifth place through the first turn. After the first lap, Colt Nichols charged by him sending the #31 back to sixth. With cha- os all around him, Hampshire kept the focus on and held onto 6th place for several laps, battling back and forth with Joey Savatgy. Around the 11th lap he began to fade back slowly making subtle mistakes that were costing him big. Sitting back in 11th, he had some time to make up with only a few laps left of the main event left. On the last lap, he was able to gain back one position passing Mitchell Harrison for 10th place. Going through the checkers in tenth place, Hampshire didn’t do quite as well as last weekend, but knows where he needs to improve to move forward.
100 GRITMOTO • FEBRUARY 26, 2017