Knowing what was at stake in regard to clenching an overall championship, Husqvarna’s RJ Hampshire was business-like with a serious demeanor as he rolled onto the start straightaway to begin practice on Saturday morning. Though familiarized with the sandy soils of Florida, Hampshire’s aptitude and ability to demonstrate versatility was top-tier as he portrayed world-renowned skills aboard the Husqvarna 250cc machine. Eventually clenching a fourth-place residency prior to moving into the moto’s thereafter, his fortitude when blasting from the starting grate was incredible prior to flying through the first corner thereafter. He would manage to combat both, the track and opposing competition to corral eighth as the first lap was completed — but his drive to the front of the field was far from over as he blitzed the whoops before the finish line time and time again with an outpouring of throttle. His position of seventh, on the seventh circuit as well, was a platform where he planned to strike (and dethrone) that of Levi Kitchen who was just ahead. Knowing that Kitchen was a native of this region, Hampshire was aware that the Yamaha rider would be crafty amongst these demanding conditions — but the number twenty-four seemed to forego any thought of caution as he sent countless tactics and mean(s) of passing toward the radius of the Washington native. All the while though, Kawasaki’s Jo Shimoda would position his machine into the equation of the three combatants; making a move (that was solidified) after passing the halfway point, but RJ’s determination wasn’t going to be nullified that easily! He countered with an immediate rebuttal on lap nine, which forced Shimoda into a slight miscalculation of sorts — and once Hampshire was ahead (of the Kawasaki athlete) it was then time to attack the rear wheel of Maximus Vohland. And through a combination of adequate vision, precise game-planning (albeit on the fly), and fearless acts of throttle twisting Hampshire would do enough to secure the fourth-place residency from the number thirty-four; concluding the moto here, with yet another tremendous effort! The second moto of the afternoon was packed with action from start to finish, and Hampshire’s mistake (on lap two) would divert him from fifth to ninth while he strove to rekindle as many positions on the leaderboard as possible. He would fly amongst the infield jumps with the engine revved to its highest regard —moving into sixth, on lap six, after making the pass on Pierce Brown. It was then a matter of overtaking Kawasaki’s Seth Hammaker, who was riding extremely well within a fifth-place standing...but the Pennsylvania native wasn’t going to make it easy on Hampshire as they sped into the eventual final moments of competition. But when all seemed to conclude, it was RJ’s fierce determination that was an attribute that prevailed; where he passed Hammaker with only a few laps to go, sending his number twenty-four machine into fifth once and for all — to claim fourth, in the overall box score!