Page 38 - JULY-MPG-2018

TALON HAWKINS
Talon Hawkins started off the 2018 season with a couple of victories in the Supermini class as a part of the AMA Amateur Arenacross schedule. The Californian was warmed up and ready to go for the JS7 Freestone Spring Championship and his results showed his preparation, regularly battling for the top five in both the Supermini and Mini Sr. divisions. Following the competition in Texas, the youngster raced the AMSOIL Supermini Dominator class at the AMA Arenacross in Wichita, Kansas and took the win, fueling his morale for the trip back west to race the 2018 FMF Cal Classic at Pala Raceway. He looked right at home in Southern California in both the Supermini class and the Mini Sr. 2 class, finishing all of his motos within the top ten with
a couple of podium finishes to boot. Hawkins made great strides in the Supermini class against some of the nation’s top talent, scoring fifth place overall in both divisions. Moreover, he really shined in the Mini Sr. 2 division as he finished second and third in the first and last moto, eventually combin- ing to award him third overall at the end of the weekend.
JO SHIMODA
After missing a couple of the major races throughout the spring due to a minor injury, it was unclear whether or not Jo Shimoda would be his normal self when racing got underway at the 2018 FMF California Classic. The California resi- dent by way of Japan has been a men- ace in the B class as of late, showing his speed at multiple Monster Energy Ama- teur Supercross rounds throughout the beginning of the year. Shimoda picked up right where he left off at the 2018 FMF Cal Classic as he rode with poise and precision at Pala Raceway through- out the weekend, finding the podium in both Open B and Schoolboy 2. Although he had impressive finishes in both 250
B and 450 B, a couple of poor results hindered his overall finish. Nonetheless, Shimoda managed to come away from the weekend with a total of four moto wins and a subsequent championship
in the Open B division. In addition to his success in Open B, the AMSOIL Fac- tory Connection Honda rider pulled out a moto win in the final Schoolboy 2 race of the weekend, bumping him up to third overall on the final rostrum.
38 MPG • JULY • 2018