DEREK KELLEY | GRIT-215 | 250SX

DEREK KELLEY | GRIT-215 | SX 250

The challenge of nullifying wheel-spin wheel and front-end washing, while coupled with some of the highest speeds of any "SX" circuit on the planet, would be the baseline of the conundrum which "attempted" to riddle riders like Derek Kelley in the 250cc West Coast classification on Saturday. Training on California circuit(s) in months past would aid his immediate adaptation to the tremendous layout in Arizona, blazing a trail that even those in the 450cc division would have to take note of when watching from afar. This translated to the first main event (following the red-flag restart) where the crowd would be on their feet, as his engine screamed through the Southwest desert landscape with no sign(s) of ever slowing down. The whoops were beginning to cup and be formed with immense jagged edges by the time lap four arose, leaving a decision to be made: by either, holding the inside and doing all in his power to keep Mitchell Oldenburg at bay (through a line of a defense), or to sweep the outside lane of the moguls in hopes of pulling away from the MotoConcepts rider as they neared the six minute mark. He would choose the latter, powering into the subtle left and right-handed corners that followed with perfect arcing angles; and push forward (as best as possible) without the rear wheel breaking. Ultimately en route to an astounding fifth-place finish, he was looking forward to what was to come in the main event(s) that followed. It would be difficult for anyone to topple the momentum that had been generated by Honda's Jett Lawrence, with Cameron McAdoo now out of the running (for this round at least); leaving a position up for grabs, while hoping to combat the expertise of the Australian red-plate holder. Kelley would corral quite the assembly of the opening laps to contest those in the top ten, hoping to rival Carson Mumford as laps three and four transpired. The inside groove in the corner that preceded the start straightaway would be a pivotal juncture where he could gain time, hitting the line and hooking the chassis as best as possible while shifting through second, third, and fourth gear(s) down the following straightaway; never relinquishing the throttle before entering into the forthcoming left-hander. And though the charge was dire, he was able to maintain fluidity while capturing a placement of eighth at the finish-line; passing Kawasaki's Mumford once and for all. This led to moto number three where media outlets were focused on the battle for those off the podium, where he, Mitchell Oldenburg, and Maximus Vohland were all within a few points of one another before embarking on the outlying main event. His stamina would be tested in this bout, but the endurance of the California native was superior to most of those outside of the top-ten; and upon approaching the final two minutes (or so of action), his latter duo of circuits would be exceptional and enough to house seventh for a spectacular sixth place overall.

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