RJ Hampshire clinched two class championships today at Loretta Lynn’s. Photography by Kit Palmer
RJ Hampshire did what no one else has done in 19 years in the A class at the AMA Amateur National MX Championships at Loretta Lynn’s—win every single moto en route to two class championships. He completed the sweep today during the fourth day of racing at the 33rd Rocky Mountain ATV-MC Amateur National Motocross Championship at the Loretta Lynn Ranch in Tennessee.
Hampshire sewed up his second of two championship today, Friday, August 1, in the third and final 250 A-class moto. It didn’t come easily, however, as Yamaha rider Luke Renzland tried everything he could to break Hampshire’s streak. But when all was said and down, Hampshire, on the AMSOIL/Factory Connection Honda, won every moto two win the 250 A and 450 Pro Sport-class Championship, that’s six motos in all. Hampshire wrapped up the Open Pro Sport title Friday morning and the 250 A title Friday afternoon. He’s all done at Loretta and his next step is the pros. He’ll make his pro debut at the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross round next weekend at Unadilla.
Nineteen class title were decided tomorrow and 17 more will be decided tomorrow, Saturday, August 2, when all class finally complete their third and final motos.
The fourth day of racing finally produced more Loretta-like weather—warm and humid—but still much better than usual for this time of year here at the Ranch.
For Kawasaki Team Green’s Jett Reynolds a class championship in the 65 (7-9) Limited class didn’t seem likely, as he went into the final moto trailing five other riders on points. After going 9-1 in the first two motos, all that Reynolds could do was go out and win the final moto and hope for the best. And that’s exactly what he did—he won and all of the pieces of the puzzle fell into place and he came away with the title. He is in much better position to win the 65 (7-11) championship, as he heads into tomorrow’s third moto with a 2-1.
Washington’s Tristan Charboneau (16) might not have won today’s final moto of the 250 B class, but the Yamaha rider did win the overall title with 2-1-2 moto finishes, topping fellow Yamaha rider, Lorenzo Locurcio’s 3-3-1 moto finishes. Locurcio, however, did claim the championship in the 450 B Limited class with 1-2-1 moto finishes.
In the usually inconsistent small-bore divisions, KTM rider Wyatt McGrath was nothing but consistent as he swept all three motos in the 51 (4-6) Special Limited class.
Cobra’s Kace Evans claimed the 51 (4-6) Limited Championship. He won the first moto and a pair of seconds after that was more than enough to sew up the title.
Joshua Varize dominated the 65 (10-11) Limited class. The rider from California won all three motos for the class title.
Stilez Robertson capped off the 85 (9-11) class with a moto win and the class championship. He also captured the 85 (9-11) Limited number-one plate.
Sean Cantrell edged out Austin Forkner for the Super Mini 1 (12-15) class title.
Even though he didn’t win a single moto, Dylan Merriam relied on consistency to win the Schoolboy 2 (13-16) B/C title.
