Page 38 - ISSUE 40

DYLAN FERRANDIS
250 SX / 3RD
IMAGE /MPG WORDS / MATTINGLY DESIGN / WILSON
>> Deep-sea fisherman travel to the Gulf Coast for pristine waters; as some of the countries prettiest of beaches, and best of seafood found off of the Southern coasts of Alabama and off of Florida’s West Coast. They search far and wide for the prize that is within the eye of the beholder. What’s beneath
the water, truly no one knows, and that’s what can create a rush of adrenaline on some of the world’s most rough surfaces. The same can be said about the Daytona Supercross; the best in the world travel here to be titled as one of the best, and to take home the prize of King. They know prior to signing up, that this track is like no other, and provides so many elements that the other layouts don’t, if you can withstand the pounding in which you are about to take, you have earned the respect of all, and right- fully so. Dylan Ferrandis has earned the respect of both peers and industry workers alike, however as an athlete, the lust for more is always at his fingertips; the moment he gets complacent for what he
has done, is the moment the his aura will begin to fade away, and he will blend in with the rest of the pack. He couldn’t let that happen at Daytona, such a pivotal race on the circuit; so much so, that even if he doesn’t go on to win the title, this race can play a huge role in indicating who will be a hotshoe for the following outdoor series. The track was being chomped up from the start of practice, sand being mounted every lap, with the beginning acting as a freeway, and the end appearing as a roller coaster ride with the amount of up-downs portrayed. After going back to the semi and adjusting the rebound a few clicks, his spot was fulfilled in the main event following qualifying sectors, and he was positioned next to the highest of two digits in the 250 field. The pin would fall, and his 250f would screech off the gate; he was positioning his elbows just ahead of those beside him, as he knew these first moments are a game of inches. Ripping tearoffs over that first “SX” triple along the pavement, he would drive with unheralded force into the following left-right chicane. Crossing timing and scoring on the opening lap in 7th, he knew he had work to do in order to seat himself in the front of the field for a prolonged effort, not just something temporary. His speed in the right handed bowl turn after the whoop section was a place where he seemed to really garner time; he knew he couldn’t let up otherwise his position would be overtaken. Tearoff’s flying everylap, the pit board would read “just one more time”, a play
on the lobes of his brain, tricking himself to push on in the ever so slightest form. He would continue
to battle, never letting up even though the laps were coming to a halt (not a timed race in this case). Fighting tooth and nail with the points leaders such as Zach Osborne and Jordon Smith, he would rally to the final spot on the podium, seat hopping the final small table top, left foot out, and grooving off the face of the Daytona finish line. The third place, one of his best of the season, and looking forward to the rounds thereafter.
38 GRITMOTO • MARCH 12, 2017