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With his KTM prepared to ricochet any array of bullets or weaponry that came near, Shimoda sling-shotted off the pad, trailing just Carson Mumford at lap one’s conclusion. With Dillan Schwartz applying severe pressure, Jo was forced to make a move on Mumford, resulting in an all out dash to the finish line. He would take the moto win, and an outstanding second overall. He would also compete in the Supermini 1 class, but after winning his heat race, a 39th place in moto two would severely damage his outcome.
For day number two, Shimoda also found himself in a heap of trouble, albeit salvaging any opportunity he could. After going 34-3 in Supermini 2, he wanted an event-free undertaking of the other division in which he signed up for. Unfortunately, bad news struck again, as he was forced to go to the LCQ, in which he won. Coming into the runoff with an 18 is less than ideal, but with divisions, the slate was wiped clean and the former was forgotten about.
Battling the likes of Kawasaki prospect, Lance Kobusch, Shimoda found himself sixth across timing and scoring at the end of lap one. Latching on to the Missouri native, Jo yearned fiercely for the ever-so gratifying race win. Although he would come up short, a second overall
is one he should be proud of, and something to build off of for the nationals to come.
words/LOGANMATTINGLY
MPG DIGITAL / JUNE 2016
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