RJ Hampshire Impresses in 450 Class Debut at Fox Raceway
PALA, CA – RJ Hampshire made a remarkable Pro Motocross debut in the 450 Class at Fox Raceway, finishing ninth overall with a 6-12 result. This notable performance comes just 12 days post-wrist surgery, where half of a bone was removed to address ongoing issues.
In an exclusive post-race interview, Hampshire expressed both surprise and satisfaction with his first moto, where he competed closely with established riders, including Eli Tomac. "I ride this 450 really well… I’ve shown what I’m capable of," he stated, reflecting on his time near the front of the pack. Despite ending the day with a ninth-place finish, Hampshire’s expectations remained grounded given the circumstances surrounding his injury.
After qualifying sixth, he noted, "I was like, ‘If we can get out of here with a top ten, I’ll be stoked on that.’" When pressed about his performance, he acknowledged the challenges posed by the track conditions, calling them "the worst track for a bad wrist," which was notably choppy and edgy.
Regarding his recovery, Hampshire shared insights into his mental approach following surgery. "Make it happen. Make it happen. Make it happen. Do whatever you can," he recalled as his mantra leading into race day. Despite lingering weakness in his wrist, he downplayed any significant pain, crediting his surgeon for the effective procedure and expressing determination to return stronger at the upcoming High Point event.
As Hampshire targets improved performances moving forward, the motocross community will be closely watching how he manages his recovery and builds on this encouraging debut.
