Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Hammaker Starts Season with Runner-Up Finish

2022-01-13 17:19
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Seth Hammaker proved he was capable of being a contender for podium finishes after starting upfront and holding off pressure to claim second place at the season opener inside Angel Stadium. Teammate Jo Shimoda was the victim of a tough start, but showcased his speed after coming back from last to seventh.
The sophomore supercross rider immediately showed speed in practice as he qualified fourth. Hammaker translated that speed to a second-place finish in his heat race. At the start of the main event, he nearly jumped the gate but his reflexes were still sharp enough to come around the first turn in second. He was passed by third, but immediately got by the rider in front of him to maintain second. Even as pressure from behind found him late in the race, Hammaker rode smart and came away with the runner-up finish to start the season.

“It was a tough track and there were certain parts of the track you really had to focus on,” said Hammaker. “When I felt pressured, I told myself to make it clean through the whoops and pass the lappers clean. It feels amazing to get on the podium to start the season.”
Shimoda was nearly in step with his teammate throughout the day. He qualified just behind him in fifth, while also taking a second during his heat race. While his teammate was able to get past the dropped gate clean, Shimoda found himself stuck and going down the start straight in last. Knowing his speed was there, he focused on picking off the riders in front of him and was inside the top 10 just after the halfway point. With just a few laps to go, he passed into seventh, where he would finish his night.

“The rider next to me flinched and it caused me to get stuck in the gate,” said Shimoda. “They were holding the gate a long time and I just made a mistake. I had a long race ahead of me, but I worked really hard to pass as many people as I could and stay up. Knowing it’s just the first round, I wanted to get all the points I could and I’m just 11 points back of the leader. We’ll be back next week.”
To find out more about Pro Circuit products, visit www.procircuit.com. Don’t forget to follow the Pro Circuit race team on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the handle @pcraceteam.

250SX Class Western Regional Main Event Results - Anaheim 1

Christian Craig (Yamaha)
Seth Hammaker (Kawasaki)
Hunter Lawrence (Honda)
Garrett Marchbanks (Yamaha)
Vince Friese (Honda)
Michael Mosiman (GasGas)
Jo Shimoda (Kawasaki)
Robbie Wageman (Yamaha)
Dominique Thury (Yamaha)
Carson Mumford (Suzuki)


250SX Class Western Region Points Standings

Christian Craig (Yamaha), 26
Seth Hammaker (Kawasaki), 23
Hunter Lawrence (Honda), 21
Garrett Marchbanks (Yamaha), 19
Vince Friese (Honda), 18
Michael Mosiman (GasGas), 17
Jo Shimoda (Kawasaki), 16
Robbie Wageman (Yamaha), 15
Dominique Thury (Yamaha), 14
Carson Mumford (Suzuki), 13


About Pro Circuit
Based in Corona, Calif., Pro Circuit Products, Inc. is a leader in off-road motorcycle and ATV exhausts and aftermarket performance parts. Started in 1978, Pro Circuit is the go to shop for recreational riders and professionals for everything from suspension work to complete engine packages and everything in between.

Created by former desert racer Mitch Payton, Pro Circuit proves its products and services week-in and week-out through its tagline “We Race.” Every product that dons the Pro Circuit stamp stems from the legendary Pro Circuit race team. A staple in the professional paddock, Pro Circuit Racing has earned 31 AMA championships and more than 275 race wins in more than 30 years of competition.

Source: Next Level Sports Management

Click here to visit our forums to discuss this story