Josh Toth Locks Up 2024 AMA National Enduro Championship with Win at KTM Zink Ranch National
SAND SPRINGS, Okla. – As the Redline Oil AMA National Enduro Series, presented by MSR and Beta Motorcycles, draws to a close, it’s down to the wire for many competitors in the championship hunt. More than 325 had the opportunity to advance in the standings as they took on Zink Ranch in Sand Springs, Oklahoma.
The location of the 1994 International Six Days Enduro (ISDE), Tulsa Trail Riders organized the ’94 Six Days EnduroFest to coincide with the race weekend. The group hosted a 30th anniversary reunion ride and banquet to recognize and reconnect former ISDE competitors with each other and fans.
The KTM Zink Ranch National brought breezy, moderate temperatures in the mid-70s. Although, in the days leading up to the race, the location endured an extreme heatwave -- prompting the series to scale back the number of tests. At 58 total miles, riders navigated hard-pack and rocky conditions with some dust thrown in. The first two tests were 7.5 miles each, followed by a 10-mile section. The fourth test was another 7.5-mile trail, and a 9.5-mile test wrapped up round nine.
Overall Podium
It’s been a phenomenal season for Enduro Engineering’s Josh Toth, who has secured all but two wins this season. The Connecticut-based rider kicked off the day in Oklahoma with two test wins in NE Pro1. Then, he took the runner-up spot in the final three tests. Toth’s stellar performance throughout the season helped him secure his first-ever AMA National Enduro Championship with one round to go. The NE Pro1 rider also has the honor of representing the U.S. on the Trophy Team at the ISDE once again, which will take place in Spain during October.
“It was pretty nasty out there,” Josh Toth said. “The terrain is really unforgiving when you get out in the grass and stuff, so I just tried to be cautious and get through the first few tests smooth. And honestly, that was the best thing I could have done. It put me in the lead early. Then, I had a big crash in test four, but other than that, I just kept it up and steady. I’d like to thank my mechanic [Mike “Napper” Napieralski]. He does everything on my bike -- rebuilds it between the rounds, does my suspension testing -- he knows his stuff. It's great to have him all year, and it’s been awesome working together. Plus, the whole Enduro Engineering crew, the NEPG crew that puts on these events, NOCO, my trainer Steve Hatch for helping out, and my girlfriend Nicole for coming out. There are so many people involved in my program this year. I don't want to leave anyone out, but Bell's Electric and Enduro Engineering really stepped up and let me do what I want to do. So, it's been awesome.”
After collecting his first win of the season at the prior round, Steward Baylor Jr. was eager to continue that momentum aboard his Red Bear Racing Kawasaki. He fell just shy of that, taking the runner-up spot at the KTM Zink Ranch National. Just 22 seconds off of Toth’s pace for the day, Baylor Jr. pushed hard from the start. He claimed second in class through the opening test, third through the next three sections, and ended the day on a high note with the Test 5 win.
“I felt kind of comfortable all day,” Steward Baylor Jr. said. “The track was a good bit different than previous times in Tulsa. We've definitely had everything from mud to dust here, and today was really a good race course -- a little bit dry in places, but, overall, the dirt was perfect. Very open, easy to pay attention and take big lines if you wanted to. But I know this track can bite you if you do that, so I tried to stay on the trail as much as possible and not flirt with those edges. I know there's a lot of big, loose rocks. But, outside of that, I felt comfortable all day. I just couldn't quite match Josh [Toth]. It's kind of been the story all year, so he's just been riding really good. I've been on years like that. Man, when you're on one, it's great. For him, it's phenomenal. I'm looking forward to the future. I’d like to thank the whole team, my mechanic, my wife, and everybody that makes these things possible. All the crews, all the clubs that put these events on. I’ve always said it's my favorite series. It takes a little bit more thought than just going out and racing head-to-head. You genuinely have to put some thought into these races, and I've always enjoyed this style.”
Ricky Russell of Washington has had a challenging season. He started off the year with a fourth-place finish, but was plagued with injury for much of 2024. He was able to put his AmPro Yamaha on the box for the first time this year at round nine. He began the day with a fifth-place in NE Pro1 through the first test. The second test saw him earn fourth. Russell really showcased his talent on two wheels in Tests 3 and 4, topping those sections. In the last section, he earned third to secure third overall on the day.
“It just felt good to be back up here battling with the guys,” Ricky Russell said. “I haven't really been doing that this year, just been hurt all year and struggling. So yeah, I was happy to get a few test wins. Me and Stew [Baylor Jr.] were really close [in the last test], and I was hoping to get him. But Stew is always strong in the last test, and he got me by like 15 or 18 seconds. Happy to be on the box, so I'll take it. I’ve got to thank Corey [MacDonald] first off. He always gives it his all on the bike. He goes above and beyond, so I got to thank him and the whole AmPro Yamaha team. Dunlop Tires were hooking up great out there, Seat Concepts, Factory Connection suspension, Flexx bars, just all of our awesome sponsors sticking behind us with such a rough year.”
NE Pro2 Podium
Red Bear Racing’s Will Sievenpiper collected his first win of the season, after finishing in the top five for the prior seven rounds. The Georgian went 3-3-2 in NE Pro2 through the first three tests. Test 4 saw Sievenpiper take the win, and he finished out the day with a second-place result in Test 5
Nicholas Defeo, backed by Team Babbitt’s Kawasaki, has been vying to get back on the NE Pro2 podium for most of the season after taking third at the opening two rounds of the series. He was finally able to make it happen this weekend. Defeo had a strong opening to his day – taking second in class through the initial test. He took fourth in the second test, and rebounded to the top spot in Test 3. He concluded the day with a fourth and third.
Earning his sixth NE Pro2 podium of the year, Yamaha’s Nathaniel “Bubz” Tasha struggled early in the day. A sixth-place in Section 1 set him back off of the start, but he hit the reset button to go 2-3-3-4 for the remainder of the day. It was a tight race between Tasha and FMF KTM Factory Racing Team Landers’ Grant Davis at the KTM Zink Ranch National, but Tasha was able to swipe third in class by just eight seconds.
Women’s Elite Podium
Red Bear Racing’s Rachael Archer of New Zealand swept the tests and captured the Women’s Elite podium win. Even more importantly, she collected her 2024 AMA National Enduro Championship with one round remaining. She’s notched seven class wins this season aboard her Kawasaki, and has yet to finish off of the podium.
“I loved the race today,” Archer said. “It was fast and flowy -- my kind of riding. Awesome to wrap up the championship, and I couldn’t have done it without the team backing me the whole way.”
Enduro Engineering’s Shelby Turner took the runner-up spot, scoring second through three of the four tests and taking third in one test. The GasGas rider has sustained her podium streak throughout the entire year.
Prestin Raines of Missouri earned a podium result at the KTM Zink Ranch National, finishing just a minute behind Turner. The Sherco-mounted rider grabbed third through Test 1. She then picked up speed, taking second in Test 2. She rounded out the day with two fourth-place test results.
Top Amateurs
Louisiana’s Trevor Hulin claimed the AA class win. He blasted through the first test, putting himself in the lead to start the day. He went 2-1-1 through the next three tests and wrapped up the day with second in the final section. The KTM rider also clinched the AMA No. 1 plate for the 2024 season.
The 30+A class saw Zach Ingram walk away with the win at round nine. The Texas-based rider ended the day almost three minutes ahead of his classmate. He started the day with a P2 through Test 1. From there, he swept the rest of the day aboard his KTM.
View full event results and series standings at nationalenduro.com/scoring.
The final round of the series will be held in Stanton, Alabama, on November 3. The Motion Pro Gobbler Getter National will be round 10.
Overall Results – KTM Zink Ranch National
1. Josh Toth (GG)
2. Steward Baylor Jr. (KAW)
3. Ricky Russell (YAM)
4. Jonathan Girroir (KTM)
5. Will Sievenpiper (KAW)
6. Evan Smith (HUS)
7. Nicholas Defeo (KAW)
8. Trevor Bollinger (HUS)
9. Nathaniel Tasha (YAM)
10. Grant Davis (KTM)
Series Overall Standings
1. Josh Toth (GG) - NE Pro1
2. Steward Baylor Jr. (KAW) - NE Pro1
3. Johnny Girroir (KTM) - NE Pro1
4. Evan Smith (HUS) - NE Pro1
5. Grant Davis (KTM) - NE Pro2
6. Will Sievenpiper (KAW) - NE Pro2
7. Nathaniel Tasha (YAM) - NE Pro2
8. Trevor Bollinger (HUS) - NE Pro1
9. Grant Baylor (KAW) - NE Pro1
10. Ricky Russell - NE Pro1
About National Enduro Promoters Group (NEPG)
Established in 2008, National Enduro Promoters Group (NEPG) has operated the AMA National Enduro Series, in collaboration with local off-road motorcycle clubs around the country, to layout fun and challenging single-track trail for both professional and amateur racers to enjoy. For more information, visit NationalEnduro.com.
About High Gear Success
High Gear Consulting LLC DBA High Gear Success is a motorsports communications and marketing strategy company located in Pataskala, Ohio, that helps racers, motorsports event organizers and motorsports companies get noticed and increase revenue. Fueled by passion, Heather Wilson, CEO, focuses strategies on engagement and awareness in order to drive results. Learn more at HighGearSuccess.com.
Photos by Mack Faint