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RJ HAMPSHIRE
250 MX / 7TH
IMAGE / LANNAN WORDS / KUHLHOFF DESIGN / TILLS
>> RJ Hampshire has shown us all moments of greatness this season and after a podium moto finish and a sixth place overall last weekend at Budd’s Creek, he arrived at Ironman with his eye on the prize. The GEICO Honda rider lined up amongst his competitors for the last first 250 moto of the season, ready for battle. The gates dropped and the number 31 machine found himself sitting in the four- teenth place position as he pinned it out of the first rough and tough corner. Lap after lap, RJ Hampshire persevered, moving up to twelfth by the time the check- ered flag soared. With only one more 250 moto to go this season, Hampshire knew that he had to capitalize upon his twelfth place in moto one if he wanted a shot at an overall within the top ten. Immediately, Hampshire was off to a much better start and was in ninth place early in the race. Starting with passes on Cun- ningham and Harrison, Hampshire started gaining spots quickly. Then, after an unfortunate crash by Plessinger, Hampshire moved into the sixth place spot. RJ Hampshire spent a majority of the second moto in the sixth place position, but with only a couple of laps remaining, a mistake by Chase Sexton sent Hamp- shire into the prestigious top five. RJ Hampshire finished the second moto in fifth place. This Florida native was able to leave Indiana with 12-5 finishes, resulting in a seventh place overall. He will also close out the season in eleventh place in the points standings. Even after arriving a few rounds late to the party, RJ Hamp- shire was sure to make his talent and presence known this season.
48 GRITMOTO • AUGUST 27, 2017