Page 49 - MPG22

theGRIT
IMAGES / LAKE KILPATRICK
RJ was ready when the day began in Tennessee. He was motivated to get back into the top ten and looked fast in practice. Many riders struggled to put down a good time on the rough and rutted track but like others, RJ set his mind to the races. When the gate dropped for 250 moto one, He shot off like a rock-
et and was able to carry a top five position through the first lap. He shuffled back to 9th quickly and was doing all he could to hold his composure on the brutal track. With twelve minutes left on the clock, RJ began to fade and it seemed something might have been wrong. Luckily, he regrouped and was able to hold 10th position right behind the #1 of Jeremy Martin. RJ was able to take advantage of another rider’s mistake and ended up with a 9th at the checkered flag. When moto two began, RJ got a similar start and was running just outside the top five on the first lap. By lap two, he had shuffled back to 8th and was doing everything he could to keep the two-time champ in toe. Then, as they neared the halfway point, Hampshire was forced off the track, which allowed Jeremy to capitalize. He re-entered the track with current points leader, Savatgy, just behind. With just a few laps to go, Savatgy made the pass and it was easy to see that Hampshire was ready for the moto to be over. He would finish a solid 8th overall with his dual 9th place finishes.
words/BUBBLANNAN
WWW.GRITMOTO.COM
49