Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Shimoda Repeats Last Year’s Southwick Performance with Second Overall

2022-07-15 13:51
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Jo Shimoda found his way to the podium for the first time last year at The Wick and in 2022 matched his score in Massachusetts to finish second overall on the brutal sand track. Round 6 marked the halfway point of the Pro Motocross series with Shimoda holding steady in third overall in the 250MX Class standings. Teammate Seth Hammaker worked through some struggles, never giving up and finishing 11th overall (11-12).
The unique track in New England offers the riders the chance to not only battle the other competitors but also the track. Shimoda was confident following his win last weekend at RedBud, as well as the fact that he turned out a good result at Southwick last year. In the opening moto, Shimoda had a decent start and found himself sixth at the end of the first lap. The pace was high and it took him some time to find his rhythm, but by Lap 8 he was in a podium spot in third. It was just one lap later that he took over second and started to challenge the leader, eventually settling for second to start the day.

Shimoda once again got out to a sixth-place start and the front runners immediately started to take off. He made it up to third by Lap 9, but was unable to close the gap and finished out the moto in third for second overall on the day.
“The track was very difficult and we don’t usually practice on these types of tracks so I was feeling it,” said Shimoda. “I’m happy overall, but we are going to keep pushing to try and improve for next week. I want to be back on top and I need to get a few better starts to have a chance at it like last week. We’ll keep pushing.”
Hammaker made his first trip to the very physically demanding track and it was a learning experience for the No. 47. The right-handed sweeping start pushed Hammaker outside the top 10 and after the first lap shuffle, he found himself in 13th. He was making moves to the top 10 and found it by Lap 5, but fell back to 12th with just a few laps to go. Hammaker made a quick push in the final laps and moved up to 11th to finish out the moto.

In Moto 2 he got a little better start in 10th, but a mistake pushed him back to 17th on the second lap. Hammaker showed he wasn’t going to give up and pushed the entire moto, finishing 12th to end the day, being awarded 11th overall.
“My results didn’t show how I know I’m able to ride out there,” said Hammaker. “The track was tough and I didn’t help myself out with the starts. It was good to finally get a stop at the famous sand track out of the way and we’ll be focusing on starts for next weekend at Millville.”
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 - SOUTHWICK NATIONAL

Jett Lawrence (Honda), 1-1
Jo Shimoda (Kawasaki), 2-3
Justin Cooper (Yamaha), 3-4
Levi Kitchen (Yamaha), 8-2
RJ Hampshire (Husqvarna), 4-5
Stilez Robertson (Husqvarna), 7-7
Hunter Lawrence (Honda), 6-8
Michael Mosiman (GasGas), 5-9
Nate Thrasher (Yamaha), 15-6
Jalek Swoll (Husqvarna), 12-10
Seth Hammaker (Kawasaki), 11-12

250MX Class Points Standings

Hunter Lawrence (Honda), 261
Jett Lawrence (Honda), 246
Jo Shimoda (Kawasaki), 224
Justin Cooper (Yamaha), 197
Levi Kitchen (Yamaha), 180
Michael Mosiman (GasGas), 169
Stilez Robertson (Husqvarna), 158
Seth Hammaker (Kawasaki), 151
RJ Hampshire (Husqvarna), 132
Max Vohland (KTM), 129


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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