Racers that came to the rocky fern infested forest of central Pennsylvania for the Rattlesnake National Enduro were meet with near perfect conditions. The event had perfect race weather with sunny skies and upper 70s temperature. The Rattlesnake National Enduro is Round 6 of 9 for the 2023 Magna 1 AMA National Enduro Series Presented by Moose Racing. Steward Baylor Jr was able to take advantage of the conditions and grab his first National Enduro win of the season.

Starting on the traditional grass track held on the Quiet Oaks Campground property where staging is, PA native Craig Delong took an early lead. Rocky Mountain ATV/MC Tely Energy Racing KTM rider Steward Baylor Jr then went on an impressive run winning tests 2 through 5 to win his 4th time at the Rattlensake. Steward said “we did a lot of tire testing all week and ended up with a trials tires like we always run here. I think the last 7 winners here used a trials tire so that’s what we did.” Tests 2 and 3 seemed to be rockier than most years and Steward attributed the trials tire for test wins today. “I have not gone this long in National Enduros without a win since I started these things, as long as I had my leg over a bike anyway.” Steward Said. “A win sure does feel nice.”

Grabbing a second place overall finish was younger Baylor brother and Babbitts/Monster Energy Kawasaki Rider Grant Baylor. Grant Baylor was hovering between 2nd and 4th place all day before finally throwing down the fastest time in the 6th and final test which was the longest of the day at 9 miles. “I just tried to have a smooth day here. I know the rocks can jump out and get you as they have to me several times here in the past.” Said Grant. Going into the last test Grant Baylor and Josh Toth were separated by 0.5 seconds. Grant said “Josh and I had a good battle going all day. I knew we were within a couple seconds going into the last test so I let it all hang out there in the last test and was able to come away with a second place and extended the points lead, so all in all it was a good day.”

Third place overall was Enduro Engineering GasGas rider Josh Toth. Josh has been grabbing all kinds of podium finishes on 2 wheels. Winning Downhill Mountain Bike races leading up to Podiums on the dirt bike National Enduro Series. Josh is typically a threat when it comes to more technical terrain like the Rattlesnake is, so a podium here is no surprise. “It was a tough day with the course being relentless. They were saying it was a little rockier than years past and I think it might be.” Said Toth. “It seems like there is no dirt out there, just rocks, there is no breaks out there.” Josh Toth will continue to sit in Second Overall in the Championship points after finishing 3rd at the Rattlesnake National Enduro.

Fourth overall on the day was Factory Husqvarna rider Craig Delong. Rounding out the top 5 overall was Coastal Racing Factory GasGas rider Ryder Lafferty. 6th Overall went to Am Pro Yamaha rider Ricky Russell.

7th Overall and 1st NE PRO2 rider at the Rattlesnake was Bonecutter Offroad GasGas rider Thorn Devlin. Thorns day was almost derailed a half mile into the first test. Shortly into the grass track portion of the first test Thorns rear tire came off of the rim completely. Riding the section on the rim with the tires wrapped up in the swingarm, Thorn was nearly outside the top 100 overall going into the second test. Thorn was able to mount a new wheel after the first test to then go on and start chipping away the time behind the leaders in the NE PRO2 class. Thorn said “I was about a half mile in and I came around a corner and I was on the ground before I knew it. I looked down and saw the rear tire spit off the rim. I rode 3 miles of the test with no rear tire and it was sketchy at times. I knew I had to salvage the time I could and then throw it down in the rocks.” Thorn was able to throw it down in the rocks and win 3 of the remaining 5 tests including the final and 6th test to finally come away as the NE PRO2 winner.

Factory Beta Rider Evan Smith from the NE PRO1 Class came away with 8th overall.

For his first NE PRO2 podium and 9th Overall finish was Hunter Bush. Hunter is a local ECEA enduro rider and avid NE PRO2 National Enduro racer. Hunter felt really comfortable in the rocks at the Rattlesnake National Enduro because he said he lives only about 2.5 hours from Cross Forks, PA where this event is held. Hunter Said “I really like this type of terrain and I ride this stuff at home all the time.” Hunters best finish before this race was a 4th place. “Finishing on the podium was a surprise today, but it feels awesome.” Said Hunter.

Wrapping up the top 10 overall and the 3rd Podium spot in the NE PRO2 class was Factory Beta Rider Jonathan Johnson. Jonathan has several NE PRO2 class podiums including 2 now this season. “I put some work in with a little bit of time off lately, just trying to be a little bit smoother and I think it paid off today.” Said Johnson.

Taking top honors in the Womens Elite Class was Rachel Gutish on her OverandOut GasGas. Rachel is always tough to beat of rocky technical terrain and she proved that again today winning by over 3 and a half minutes. “I thought there was top soil here and I thought wrong.” Said Gutish. “I really like the technical stuff so the course suited me well here. I didn’t feel like I set the world on fire today, but I was just smooth.”

Championship leader by now 5 points and Enduro Engineering GasGas rider Mackenzie Tricker took home second place in the Womens Elite Class. “Not a record day for me today. I am not typically a good rock rider and it was tough today.” Said Tricker. “I am looking forward to the next two races as they are my favorite races and I am definitely sitting in a better spot this year than last year at this point.

Another new face to the Pro Podiums was Cate Nash in the Womens Elite class with 3rd place. Cate is local to the area and wanted to give the National Enduros a try. “This is my first time here and I absolutely loved it. Test 2 and 3 were tough and I crashed a bit. But then I put my head down to try to make up time in test 4 and 5.” Cate said.

Top Amateur rider at the Rattlesnake National Enduro was AA rider Justin Lafferty.

The Magna 1 AMA National Enduro Series takes the month of August off before returning to racing on September 10th in Wellston, OH for the Little Raccoon National Enduro. 3 Rounds remain in the 2023 Season.

Top 10 Overall

1- Steward Baylor Jr- KTM

2- Grant Baylor- Kawasaki

3- Josh Toth- GasGas

4- Craig Delong- Husqvarna

5- Ryder Lafferty- GasGas

6- Ricky Russell- Yamaha

7- Thorn Devlin- GasGas

8- Evan Smith- Beta

9- Hunter Bush- GasGas

10- Jonathan Johnson- Beta

Story by Logan Densmore

Photos by Mack Faint

Steward Baylor Jr Grabs first win of 2023 Season

Congratulations to the Rattlesnake National Enduro Award Winners

GasGas/ Husqvarna E-Bicycle Demos and Group MTB Ride at the Rattlesnake National Enduro