If you were picking favorites for the Lites Regional Supercross Championship and the 250 Outdoors Nationals at any point over the last two decades, you generally had to look no further than the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team. Mitch Payton has built a dynasty and has done so through hard work as well as with an unmatched ability to choose riders that can get the job done. A portion of Mitch’s hired guns have been prodigies, groomed through the powerful Team Green amateur program and graduating straight into the Pro Circuit semi from amateur racing, but more often, Mitch goes after solid professionals that are merely a good program away from greatness.
In 2011, Darryn Durham emerged as a serious contender for podiums and did so without the support of a major team. Darryn finished as high as sixth at both the Jacksonville and Dallas Supercross races and finished as high as fourth during the outdoor Motocross Championship. Because of these finishes and his obvious willingness to work hard and make the best of what he was given, Darryn showed up on Mitch Payton’s radar and was signed to the Pro Circuit team for 2012.
We gave Darryn a call to find out how the Mitch Payton deal happened and what his expectations are for the upcoming season.
Darryn how’s it going?
Good, we’re heading to Knott’s Berry Farm tonight. Never been to it before, but I hear it’s pretty good.
Knott’s has some pretty sick rides.
Yeah, I guess they do it up pretty gnarly for Halloween, so I’ll go check it out.
Nice, so are you living in California now?
Yeah, I’ll be living out here for at least a year.
With that answer, I’m assuming the new contract with Mitch Payton is for one year at this point?
Yeah, because I’m in the same boat that Tickle was in–where if I would win I would have to move up–and I don’t think Mitch wants to put himself in that situation again.
Yeah, I don’t blame him. So are you just going to go out there and tank it in 2012 (laughs) so you can get another year—just maybe get second one year? (laughs)
No (laughs), I’d rather just win it. I’ve always rode the 450 better anyways.
Nice. So how did the Mitch thing come about, because we had talked around Washougal and you never brought up ProCircuit. How’d that happen?
I was just talking to him, you know. After I had some good rides, I would just go up to him like every weekend, just talk to him a little bit. I just let him know that I wanted to ride for him.
The guys from Transworld Motocross shot the first video of Darryn Durham on his new Monster Energy/Pro Cirucuit/Kawasaki.
That’s what I hear it takes with him. I hear you just got to stay in his face.
Yeah, I mean, he likes people to show that you want it.
Yeah, who doesn’t want to ride for Mitch? (laughs)
Yeah.
So how’s the bike? I saw you riding it. You look good.
Yeah, the bike’s sweet. I’ve got quite a few days on it now, so I feel pretty good.
What’s the major difference? It seems like the minute a rider gets on a Pro Circuit Kawasaki, they go from podium contender to Championship contender. Do you think it’s mostly the bike or just the confidence of riding for Mitch?
I think it’s a little bit of both. The bike’s super, super good. It’s pretty crazy how good it handles and everything. They definitely did their homework. And then, I think just knowing that you’re on the best bike and with Mitch. You just end up doing good.
So have you ever raced a Kawasaki at all?
No, I haven’t. Well, except for on 60s, but that’s it.
That’s been a good 10-15 years then for you then?
Yeah.
A KX 65 is probably a little bit different than a Mitch Payton tuned 250 F. (laughs)
Yeah (laughs). It took me a couple of days to get used to it–just the way like it turned and stuff. It’s really a lot different than the Honda, but I really like it now.
So what sponsors are you able to keep? Are you able to keep Volcom?
Yeah, I’m gonna keep Volcom. I’m not going to be able to run like a full helmet or anything, but I’m still with them, so that’s cool.
Nice. Who else did you talk to besides Mitch? Last time we talked, you were talking about riding the Rockstar bike and about a GP deal on the table. Was there much interest outside of that?
Yeah, I was talking to Troy Lee, Rockstar, Star, Valley—pretty much everyone except GEICO. JGR.
That’s pretty much everybody out there. That had to feel good.
Yeah, I knew I was going to be somewhere regardless, but I really wanted to ride the Pro Circuit bike. (laughs)
Was it the normal deal where Mitch wasn’t quite as much money, but the way better bike? Did you get a better money offer anywhere else?
Yeah, I did have better money offers other places, but I think I’m in the best place.
I saw your 125 video on the CR125. Are you allowed to ride Hondas still?
No, I’m not. He posted one about a month ago, it blew up quick and he just posted one I guess the other day without sound on it—without music.
Check out this video of Darryn tearing it up on the 125
Yeah, that’s the one I saw. If you want to get some views and blow up, just put out a two-smoker video.
I know that the first one he put out had like 100,000 views in a week on YouTube.
Wow! You’re going to compete with Decotis. (laughs)
Yeah. It was pretty crazy.
Why did he put out two videos?
People were complaining, because they wanted to hear the two-stroke more.
Everyone wants to turn it into a ring tone for their phone.
(laughs)
I used to have one. (laughs) Are you gonna get a Kawasaki 125?
I was just talking about this earlier because they’ve got shelves and shelves of old 125 PC parts from the old race team. I was like, man, I could probably go on Craigslist and find some and build an excellent KX too, but we’ll see. Maybe if I do good this year, I’ll build one at the end of the year or something.
I’m curious…What’s your stance on the whole 2-stroke versus 4-stroke argument. Do you think there should still be a 125 class?
I mean, it’d be cool, but I think it would change the racing a lot. I think you’d see different people out front with a two-stroke.
I agree. It’s a completely different skill set to riding two-strokes.
You almost have to be a better rider to ride a two stroke fast. You know?
Yeah, I know what you mean.
You have more momentum they don’t have the power to get you out of mistakes.
Yeah, four strokes definitely make an okay rider way better. It’s just a lot easier to ride them. My only real issue with four strokes is the huge leap from 85’s to 250’s for kids.
Yeah, it really is a big jump.
So are you friends with Wilson, Baggett or any of the guys on the team already?
Yeah, I get along with Dean really good and also Tickle. We were teammates over at Star. Our friendship was pretty good. We used to hang out and stuff, so I think it will be good.
I think it’s gonna be awesome! You were already a crowd favorite, and it’s just going to grow if/when you start winning. Do you see yourself as a contender right off the bat on the new machine?
Yeah, I think so. I think Supercross is really going to go good. I kind of got screwed last year. I came out good, but I kind of got screwed with getting injured right away. I think this year’s going to be really good.
Do you feel any added pressure this year with the expectations that come with being on the premier team?
Yeah, not yet, but I think I handle the pressure pretty good.
Nice. If that’s the case, you’re in good shape. Thanks again for answering the phone and doing this. I hope you kill it in 2012.
Thanks, and no problem. I’ll see ya.
