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RJ HAMPSHIRE
250 MX / 8TH
IMAGE / KILPATRICK WORDS / KUHLHOFF DESIGN / TILLS
>> Florida native, RJ Hampshire has been putting in some great results after returning from an injury. After a fantastic second moto, that resulted in a second place podium spot, and solid fifth place overall at Washougal, Hampshire had to have been ready to put in some more incredible results this weekend at Unadilla. The Geico Honda rider lined up on the gate for the first moto, eyes locked on the thirty-second card contrasting the dark and stormy sky backdrop that ominously filled the New York sky. The gates fell and RJ found himself in fourteenth place off the start. Determined, Hampshire put his head down and quickly started making moves in attempts to redeem himself before the end of the moto. By the halfway point, RJ Hampshire had worked his way up into the tenth place spot. The number 31 machine was not quite finished yet as he gained two more positions before the checkered flag, resulting in a respectably earned eighth place finish for the first 250 race of the day. After the end of the first 250 moto and halfway through the first 450 moto, the rain began to fall. With the downpour worsening and reports of lightning, the 450 moto was cut short and the rain delay had been officially put into effect. At this point, the riders did not know if they would be able to race the second moto or not. Fortunately, the rain started to stop and an awesome track crew went to work as they scraped away as much slop as possible, making the track ride- able. It was now time for the mud fest to begin. A good start was crucial in the “great equalizer” conditions and as the gates fell, Hampshire rocketed off the line and was able to grab the fourth place spot early in the moto, followed by a pass
on Plessinger that sent him into third. Mud flying, the halfway point was quickly ap- proaching and Hampshire was still in third. The unpredictability of the rain soaked terrain got the best of RJ Hampshire when he slid out, sending him back to the sixth place spot. RJ Hampshire stayed cautious in the muddy mess after that and was able to finish his second moto of the day in sixth place. With a 8-6 for the day, RJ Hampshire left Unadilla with an eighth place overall finish. This may have not been Hampshire’s best day, but hopefully we see him on the podium again at the next round in Maryland.
50 GRITMOTO • AUGUST 13, 2017