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Scott Champion
450 SX / 20TH
IMAGE / MPG WORDS / ARMSTRONG DESIGN / WILSON
>> The #76 machine of Scott Champion was able to receive support from
the Ride Motorsport/ Home Depot Yamaha team once again this year. He competed on a 250 in the West coast series but was able to race the 450 class in the East. Scott only qualified for two main events in the premier class where he finished last both times. Champion had speed all weekend long qualifying 22nd with a 1:10.708, this may not seem impressive but Scott is one of those riders that normally does better when racing against the com- petition not a stop watch. The Yamaha rider started 7th in his heat race and even got himself up to 6th on the opening lap. He was unable to hold the position and fell back to 12th. It was like deja vu in the semi as Scott started in 7th and made his way to 6th at the end of the first lap once again. Luckily this time the #76 managed to keep his composure and got to the rear wheel of Schmidt with a three laps remaining. Just before the last lap flag came out Champion made his way by Schmidt and into the final transfer position. He was able to break free of Schmidt but had to deal with a hard charging Alex Ray, the two battled all the way to the finish with Champion taking the final spot. Champion struggled with racing the complete main event but was able to finish the entire race which lead him to beat both Justin Barcia and Marvin Musquin who both DNFed. Scott had his best 450 finish of the 2017 season with a 20th.
102 GRITMOTO • MAY 7, 2017