RJ HAMPSHIRE

The Supercross Regional Champion returned to action once more for this late August weekend. R.J. Hampshire was able to generate a solid foundation to work from while stationed in Maryland last weekend, and wanted to climb even higher on the overall leaderboard before departing into the SMX Playoff’s, in the upcoming weeks. Therefore, it was to no one’s surprise when he launched over the largest obstacles on the Ironman Circuit with ease, aggressively charging to the finish line before embarking on the first moto thereafter...and as the narrative to the opening race began to unravel, Hampshire was located around the ninth-place standing. He would battle with rookie Drew Adams, trying to make his way around the Kawasaki rider...but was subsequently overtaken by Ryder DiFrancesco in the process. Eventually regaining the position that he once had (over the Californian) Hampshire’s charge through the latter stages of the moto was unparalleled by many in the field. He would not only overtake that of Chance Hymas, but Ty Masterpool as well with the Kawasaki rider unfortunately crashing with only a few laps remaining. Therefore as all was finalized, Hampshire would move into fourth before game-planning for the second moto. Once into the final round of action, R.J. would acquire fifth before seeking to advance. However he would have to contend with opponents like Max Anstie, whom he would battle with, before definitively passing the Yamaha rider. He was trailing Ryder DiFrancesco at that point, and Hampshire’s vision appeared to monitor the pathways of the GasGas athlete...simultaneously creating an opportunity of advancement, as he neared the eleventh circuit. It was then, when the pressure he applied couldn’t be combatted by the Bakersfield native — and R.J. would make his way into fourth. Proceeding to challenge Tom Vialle next, Hampshire could sense that the KTM rider was fading...and surpassed him as well, with one final charge to the finish line! Third-place appeared to be secured as he swept through the thirteenth circuit — and with the checkered flag waving in the distance, Hampshire appeared to embody the grit and tenacity that we all had known him for. Fans were ecstatic to see him return to action, and as he crossed the finish-line with an eventual bronze medal feat, his overall accumulation of scores, would also propel him to third in the final standings for the eleventh round of action in Crawfordsville!