Santo Derisi chats with some young fans before the start. Derisi sent a piston to the trash can at round 1 and had a new engine installed this week. I caught up with Santo at Durhamtown throughout the week as he broke in the engine and man did it scream! I was hoping for a good run for this long time GNCC racer
The clock was ticking away as the opening ceremonies commenced. The starting area is a mob scene just before the start as fans, friends and family all wish their riders a successful and safe race.
10 SECONDS blared across the near silent starting area as 25 XC1 Pro riders all made ready for two hours of racing action!
The green flag waved and from my position at turn two I watched as the riders streaked to the first turn. The left hander opened up as riders swung wide all struggling to find an advantage but it was KTM mounted Adam McGill hard on the throttle as they pulled out of teh first turn and set their sights on turn 2!
Dave Simmons grabbed the holeshot and was the hunted in this game of chance and skill ...with a side of luck thrown in for good measure. Simmons is a machine finishing second in a hard foought battle in the opening round.