Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Jo Shimoda Kicks Off Motocross Season on the Podium

2022-05-30 09:09
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Jo Shimoda started the Pro Motocross season at Fox Raceway with an impressive podium finish in third overall (4-3). Teammates Austin Forkner and Seth Hammaker were some of his stiffest competition as they raced inside the top 10, earning sixth (6-6) and seventh (8-5), respectively. Cameron McAdoo qualified fifth, but his day was cut short after a crash early in the opening moto.
Eyes weren’t necessarily on Shimoda to start the day as he qualified ninth in the morning sessions. That quickly changed when the gate dropped in Moto 1 where he started 10th and by Lap 8 he had turned out the quickest lap of the race. Shimoda continued with a quick pace and made his way through the pack, finishing just four seconds back of third place.

In Moto 2, he grabbed a better start in fifth and kept the pace high at the start to move into third by Lap 5. Shimoda was able to pass his way into second a few laps later, but relinquished the spot on the last lap, coming across third. His 4-3 moto scores put him comfortably in third overall.
“The track here at Fox Raceway is always fast and tough,” said Shimoda. “I am thankful I got two decent starts so I could go for the podium. It’s a long season and to start on the podium is a great feeling. I’m looking forward to a fun summer.”
Forkner started the day just behind Shimoda in qualifying, scoring the 10th fastest time. In the opening moto, he got a good start in sixth and was making strides forward, making it as high as fourth. Forkner held on for much of the 30 minutes plus two laps race, but went back to sixth in the final few laps. His Moto 2 start was similar to his first in eighth, but with the track its toughest all day, it was harder to charge forward. Forkner would eventually get his KX250 up to sixth to end his day with a solid overall in sixth (6-6).

“I had higher expectations of the first round, but I also knew I wanted to get through this first one healthy,” said Forkner. “I know I have good pace out there so we’ll be working on a few things this week that will hopefully help me reach those expectations at Hangtown.”
While Hammaker has lined up for Pro Motocross rounds before, he only completed a few rounds during his rookie season and has been recovering from injury much of 2022. That didn’t seem to affect the true speed that Hammaker possessed in qualifying, taking the top spot during the morning sessions.

With the first gate pick, Hammaker got a great start in the first moto, coming around the first lap in third. He held on to the spot for nearly half the race, but ended up falling back to eighth by the checkered flag. As he lined up for the second moto, he had more confidence with a solid first moto under his belt and got out to another great start in third. Hammaker put in consistent laps and after moving back to fifth on Lap 6, he held his ground and came across the finish line seventh overall from his 8-5 moto finishes. The finish would be a career-best for the Pennsylvania native.
“It’s a huge relief to get a race in and see what I can start to work on this week,” said Hammaker. “I’ve been feeling good as we prepped for the season, but it’s always different when you finally line up for the race. I didn’t really put in any great results last season and now we have something to build off of as the season gets going.”
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.

250MX Class Overall Results - PALA NATIONAL

Jett Lawrence (Honda), 1-1
Hunter Lawrence (Honda), 2-2
Jo Shimoda (Kawasaki), 4-3
RJ Hampshire (Husqvarna), 3-9
Michael Mosiman (GasGas), 9-4
Austin Forkner (Kawasaki), 6-6
Seth Hammaker (Kawasaki), 8-5
Levi Kitchen (Yamaha), 5-8
Pierce Brown (GasGas), 7-7
Stilez Robertson (Husqvarna), 10-11

250MX Class Points Standings

Jett Lawrence (Honda), 50
Hunter Lawrence (Honda), 44
Jo Shimoda (Kawasaki), 38
RJ Hampshire (Husqvarna), 32
Michael Mosiman (GasGas), 30
Austin Forkner (Kawasaki), 30
Seth Hammaker (Kawasaki), 29
Levi Kitchen (Yamaha), 29
Pierce Brown (GasGas), 28
Stilez Robertson (Husqvarna), 21


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

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