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RJ HAMPSHIRE
250 MX / 1ST
IMAGE / LANNAN WORDS / MATTINGLY DESIGN / MOTOPLAYGROUND
>> Although many knew RJ Hampshire from his late burst into the A class ranks of the amateur scene, he was once an up and coming pilot, battling with the best in the lowest
of minicycle ranks. Doing his best throughout his younger years, he hit a bit of a lull, and wanted to venture into other options, exploring a bit of a “normal” lifestyle. It all came full circle, however, as just a few short years ago, he was back at the ranch, and taking moto wins by the handful. It resulted in a signing of the dotted line from Geico Honda, and a secured bit for the forthcoming years. We all knew the speed the number thirty-six had, but he truly put it all together for the round of Budd’s Creek. Practice was a phenomenal effort, where he mirrored the times of pole position setting competitors, all the while blazing new lines of his own. He came to the line for the rst moto with a grim expression under his helmet, smirking, as he knew he possessed a weapon under his sleeve. Starting off just behind Aaron Plessinger, he felt the closure of Austin Forkner just behind, yet he continued to head forward, in ascending fashion. He watched what the red plate holder was doing, following through his sweeping lines of the mechanics area section. Skying down “Henry Hill” he added a bit of are with his polished antics, displaying to his mechanic that he
felt comfortable running this feverish pace. Chasing down Aaron Plessinger with all of his might, he just couldn’t seem to catch the Yamaha rider like he truly wanted to. A second place would solidify his efforts, and although stoked, he knew he wanted more. For moto number two, all systems were a go as he drove off the line with all of his might. Scrubbing every tunnel jump in sight, he would hound Plessinger like a predator stalking his prey. Never one to back down, Hampshire jumped at the fact of Plessinger seeming a bit off his pace. The number 36 Honda was sure he could take the lead, and would capitalize on lap ve. He would sprint like his life depended on it, leaving no question as to just how much ght he had within his core. The laps would trickle down, and he would fend off teammate Chase Sexton. Merely rolling up the face of the nish line on the last lap, adrenaline surged and chills overcame him. He’d done it, taking the moto win, and rst overall!
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GRITMOTO • AUGUST 19, 2018