Toth Commands the Cherokee
Round 4 of the 2024 Redline Oil AMA National Enduro Series presented by MSR and Beta Motorcycles took place at the historic Rocky Mountain ATV/MC Cherokee National Enduro in Greensboro, GA. All time conditions lead great racing action as Josh Toth took his third consecutive win on the season.
Toth came out in the 10 mile first section and put in a commanding lead of 43 second right from the get go. Toth was then able to build the lead by winning 5 of the 6 counted test after Test 7 was thrown out on the day. By days end Toth won by 1 minute and 28 seconds. “I feel like I caught the boys sleeping in test 1” Toth Said. “I was able to build a pretty good lead and from there I just tried to be smooth and consistent the rest of the day.”
Enduro Engineering GasGas rider Josh Toth now has a 21 point lead in the series standings over Steward Baylor Jr.
Second overall on the day was FMF Factory KTM rider Johnny Girroir. After missing the previous round due to injury, Johnny was able to come back swinging to grab the runner up position. “I started the day off kinda slow” Girroir Said. “By the end of the day I found a good flow and was feeling pretty good and I was glad to get a test win in the middle of the day.”
Rocky Mountain ATV/MC Red Bear Racing Kawasaki rider Steward Baylor Jr took the third spot on the Overall Podium. Baylor said “I knew Josh was going to be good here today and hard to beat. I tried to hammer down and put a charge against him. I was glad to see I finally won a test at the end of the day but bummed to see that section thrown out. It was a good day for our whole team with me on the podium and Rachel winning the Womens Class.”
Grant Baylor, the Babbitts Online Monster Energy Kawasaki rider took the 4th overall position while Coastal GasGas’ Ryder Lafferty rounded out the Top 5. 6th overall was AM-Pro Yamahas Ricky Russell, who also had a return from an injury ride.
Max Motorsports Husqvarna rider Evan Smith finished the day in 7th place overall after a penalty was assessed for missing a portion of the course in test 5.
First place in the NE PRO2 class and 8th overall was Nathaniel ‘Bubz’ Tasha. Bubz broke the winning streak Grant Davis has had this season and put his AM-Pro Yamaha on the top step. Bubz said “my bike is dialed especially for enduros. I don’t have to worry about set up and I can just do my thing on the track. That helped get the win today.”
FMF Factory KTM Landers Racing rider Grant Davis was battling some broken ribs and was able to still manage 2nd place in the NE PRO2 class and 9th overall. “I broke some ribs at another race a few weeks ago, so I was battling the pain a little bit today and just tried to be smooth.” Said Davis.
A new face to enduros, Tyler Palmer aboard his Husqvarna took his first podium at his first ever enduro with 3rd in NE PRO2 and 10th Overall. “I had a lot of fun today learning the enduros. This was the first time I ever rode one and it feels good to put it on the podium. I was pumped to win a couple tests too.” Said Palmer.
Keeping her win streak alive for the 2024 season in the Womens Elite class was Rocky Mountain ATV/MC rider Rachael Archer.
Second place was Sherco rider Rachel Gutish
Enduro Engineering GasGas rider Shelby Turner in the 3rd spot.
Top AA rider at the Cherokee was Coastal GasGas rider Lane Whitmer. Winning the Overall A was A 250 rider Chase Landers. B Open rider Jacob McPherson was the Overall B winner, and the top C rider for the day was C 251+ rider Dallas Johnson.
The next round will take place in Wellston, OH on June 30th for the 50th Anniversary of the Little Raccoon National Enduro.
Photos by Mack Faint
Story by Logan Densmore