“Rain Mode” Josh Toth wins Black Buffalo NEPG Rnd 3

Victory in the third round of the 2024 Redline Oil AMA National Enduro Series for Enduro Engineering’s Josh Toth who claims the points lead after taking the podium ahead of Grant Baylor and Grant Davis in somewhat goggle-less weather.

Steady rain all week led to a wet and challenging third annual Redline Oil Black Buffalo National Enduro in Kingston, AR. The region received several inches of rain during the week, including a severe storm Saturday afternoon, making conditions difficult.

Sunday’s race also received rain for the majority of the 55 miles and six test events. Some runners may have simply been in survival mode while others got through the day putting in impressive runs despite the conditions.

Enduro racing isn’t easy and part of that is tackling the conditions as much as the course…

Josh Toth mastered these conditions to become the first multiple winner of the 2024 Redline Oil AMA National Enduro Series aboard his Enduro Engineering-backed GASGAS. Setting the fastest times in three of the six tests, Josh posted a winning margin of 29 seconds.

Josh said: “My day was solid, I had a decent knockdown in every test of the day, just hitting rocks I didn’t see. I tried to minimize mistakes and keep moving forward throughout the day. The track was technical and difficult all day, but it was a true enduro. The weather conditions were terrible, but it was even more rewarding to achieve victory.

New points leader

After entering the third round tied with Steward Baylor Jr on points, Josh now takes the overall lead by a margin of 12 points.

Babbitts Online Monster Energy Kawasaki rider Grant Baylor started the day a little off the mark. Grant managed to find his speed in all three tests and won two of the day’s remaining four tests to move up to second overall at the end of the day.

Third overall on the day was an impressive ride from NE Pro2 winner Grant Davis. Grant started the day with the fastest time in Test 1 aboard his FMF KTM Factory Racing Team Landers. Grant built a lead in the NE Pro2 division all day and battled for the overall podium.

Grant said: “It was a great day to complete the first practice sessions and win the general classification. I just kept a good speed all day until the fifth test, got stuck on a hill for about 45 seconds and lost time to 1st and 2nd overall. Other than that, the test is great.

Rocky Mountain ATV/MC Red Bear Kawasaki rider Steward Baylor Jr. said he started the day with a big crash about three corners into the opening test, fourth overall and third in NE Pro 1 For a day that did not start well, Steward reversed the trend to place among the top three in his category, but lost the points lead.

Max Motorsports Husqvarna driver Evan Smith was 5th overall, while Coastal GasGas Factory Racing driver Ryder Lafferty was 6th overall.

Reiner Pump Racing GasGas driver Hunter Bush had an impressive run in the wet rocky Arkansas terrain for P7. Hunter is no stranger to rocks and generally does well in the most technical conditions.

Hunter said: “It was a good day for me. I came to the race looking for redemption after a mechanical issue ended my day early in Louisiana. I stayed pretty smooth all day and only hit the ground once. Somehow I lost my rear brakes while transferring to Test 6, so I had to ride Test 6 without rear brakes. I really enjoyed the terrain; I always look forward to the more technical rounds.

Rocky Mountain ATV/MC Red Bear Kawasaki’s Will Sievenpiper earned his first podium of the 2024 season with an impressive 3rd place NE Pro2 and 8th overall.

“My day was solid for the most part. Quite frustrated with myself during the 4th test as I got stuck on one of the climbs dotted with a ton of guys. I tried to follow the hill after getting stuck, and halfway there I got stuck in a gnarly rock garden. We had to turn around to go back down to finally get back up. I felt like I could have put him in the top 5 overall if that didn’t happen. Said Will.

It’s been a while, but Coastal GasGas Racing’s Jordan Ashburn made a rare appearance in the National Enduro Series and finished ninth overall. Rounding out the top 10 was Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing rider Trevor Bollinger.

Rachel Archer claims another elite women’s victory

Rachael Archer of Rocky Mountain ATV/MC Red Bear Racing Kawasakis of Rocky Mountain ATV/MC Red Bear Racing Kawasaki won the Women’s Elite class and extended her points lead. Rachael managed to win four of the five events in the Women’s Elite class.

“I had a great day. I crashed hard in the third test and broke a handguard. It hurt my finger but other than that I had fun in the rain. Archer said.

Returning to the National Enduro Series after missing the second round, Rachel Gutish placed her Sherco in second place overall in the women’s elite class.

“The track was great and I had a blast. I had a little trouble at first. Once the rain fell, it shook me and made me smile. I managed to pull myself together and come away with a trial victory. Thanks to NEPG and the Buffalo Trail Riders club for another great event. » said Gutish.

Top 10 of NEPG Rnd3:

1. Josh Toth – GasGas
2. Grant Baylor – Kawasaki
3. Grant Davis – KTM
4. Steward Baylor Jr – Kawasaki
5. Evan Smith – Husqvarna
6. Ryder Lafferty – GasGas
7. Hunter Bush – GasGas
8. Will Sievenpiper – Kawasaki
9. Jordan Ashburn – GasGas
10. Trevor Bollinger – Husqvarna

Top AM- Chase Landers- KTM

Overall B- Brandon Sanford- KTM

Overall C- Kathryn Whisenant- Rieju

The Redline Oil AMA National Enduro Series will return to racing at the historic Rocky Mountain ATV/MC Cherokee National Enduro in Greensboro, Georgia on June 9.

More information: www.nationalenduro.com

Verbal credits: Logan Densmore

Photo credit: Mack Faint