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JO SHIMODA
Jo Shimoda completed a long journey from his homeland of Suzuka, Japan in order to come race at the world renowned Loretta Lynn Amateur Na- tional Championship. The Japanese rider fulfilled his goal of finishing on the podium at the Ranch in his very first attempt, clinching third in the
65cc (7-11) class back in 2013. It took Shimoda another three years to earn his first Loretta Lynn’s number one plate, but he realized his dream of being an AMA National Champion after complet- ing a trio of three moto victories in the Supermini 2 class aboard a KTM. Shortly thereafter, Shi- moda was scooped up by the AMSOIL | Factory Connection | Honda team and he backed up his results one year later, finishing third overall in the 250 B division at the Ranch. He experienced an arm injury at the beginning of the 2018 season that forced him out of action for the majority of
the spring events, but Shimoda managed to
make it back for the California Classic -- taking a third place in Schoolboy 2 and an overall win in Open B. His metronomic consistency continued throughout the remainder of the season as he worked himself back into peak fitness, finishing on the podium in each and every class at the Northwest Regional Qualifier as well as Mammoth Mountain Motocross.
LANCE
KOBUSCH
Lance Kobusch did what most amateur motocross racers dream of and tasted victory at the Loretta Lynn Amateur National Championship in is his very first attempt, winning the 51cc (4-6) class. A couple of years later, the Missouri native hooked up with Team Green Kawasaki and he’s been hurled under the spotlight ever since, collecting a total of five top five finishes at the Ranch throughout his career. The last couple of years have been hindered by injury for the former Team Dunlop Elite rider, but he’s kept things moving in the right direction and has still found an abun- dance of success since moving up to the bigger bikes, winning titles at the Daytona RCSX and the JS7 Free- stone Spring Championship right away. He’s faced a steep learning curve since making the jump to the A class in 2018, but Kobusch has con- tinued to make steady improvements throughout the season -- showcasing his determination through his results at the Spring Creek Regional Quali- fier with a fifth place finish in Open Pro Sport and first in 250 A.
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