Steward Baylor Jr. Charges to Victory at National Enduro Season Opener
SUMTER, S.C. – The Redline Oil AMA National Enduro Series, presented by MSR and Beta Motorcycles, kicked off with a thrilling season opener. Both the competition and the warm weather turned up the heat as nearly 700 riders carved through dense pine forests and tore across the sandy terrain at the FMF Sumter National.
After a long winter break, racers were eager to take on the tight, twisty trails crafted by the Sumter Enduro Riders Motorcycle Association. Those who excel in the sand quickly found their rhythm, setting the stage for an intense battle.
The day unfolded with an 8.5-mile section, followed by a 9-mile stretch and another 8-mile challenge. The final three tests, each spanning 10 miles, pushed riders to their limits, proving that endurance and precision were just as crucial as speed.
Overall Podium
After finishing the 2024 season in the runner-up spot, Red Bear Racing’s Steward Baylor Jr. was eager to build momentum early on this year. The Kawasaki rider achieved that, delivering a winning performance at Round 1. He took third through the first test of the day but powered his way to Test 2 and 3 wins. After landing second in the fourth section, he refocused to capture the win in the last two tests.
“I think this is the sixth time I've won this event as a professional,” said Steward Baylor Jr. “Josh [Toth] and I were talking a little bit about that last section -- probably 30 to 40 percent of that is old harescramble trails that I grew up riding. You remember little bits and pieces. You remember, especially in there, don't get off the track because there are some stumps that would get you... We went back and forth in the off season [about paddle tires]. I felt like when I made a mistake and needed to recover, the paddle tire was there. So, I ended up going with the paddle tire. I heard a rumor this was going to be really tight from some of the guys from the dual sport last week. When you get in those really tight, twisty sections of the track, it's easy to make mistakes and figured it would come in clutch.”
Josh Toth, the 2024 season champion who’s since joined the Red Bear Racing Kawasaki Team alongside Baylor Jr., finished just 32 seconds off of his teammate. With seven out of 10 wins during the 2024 season, he won’t let his competitors off easy in his journey to defend his title. The Connecticut native swapped positions with Baylor Jr. throughout the entire day, taking the wins in Test 1 and Test 4.
“It was good,” said Josh Toth. “Stu [Baylor Jr.] was ripping all day. I really felt good. The trails were fast in a lot of sections but had a lot of really tight stuff too that was just really technical, especially with the heat coming on. I felt good, like I said. I was really putting in good tests all day, but Stu was there and consistent and just ripping. So yeah, no excuses. A new team. A new bike. We're working great.”
After suffering an injury in January of last year, FMF KTM Factory Racing Team Landers’ Ben Kelley had to sit out all but the final round of the series as he recovered from surgery. He was able to rebuild his stamina and skills over the winter, which resulted in him returning with a vengeance aboard his KTM 350 XC-F in Sumter, South Carolina. The NE Pro1 rider went 6-3-3-3-5-4 to secure third overall.
“It's a physical track out there,” said Ben Kelley. “Honestly, this is kind of the start of the warm weather, too, so that zaps it out of you... A lot of tight stuff out there. A lot of big bumps, so you're pushing the bike and pulling the bars. It's physical. I felt good, rode fast. Being back a ways helps at times. The ruts are built up; the track is worked in. [I had a] couple crashes but rode good. Long tests all day long, which is cool. I dig it. You got your money's worth out there, and the trails were really good. The dirt was really good, and I'm just excited to be back up here in the mix... Feeling good starting the year off strong, and hopefully we can keep this ball rolling.”
NE Pro2 Podium
Flatrock Motorclub GasGas Factory Racing’s Jason Tino clinched the NE Pro2 class win at the FMF Sumter National. He powered his GasGas EX 250F through the first two tests of the day in the top spot for his class. In the third test, he slipped to second. However, Tino regained his momentum to snatch the win in the final three tests, ultimately earning the NE Pro 2 win for the day.
Stepping up to the NE Pro2 class this year, Chase Landers -- backed by FMF KTM Factory Racing Team Landers -- put his machine on the second step of the podium after going 4-5-1-2-5-4 through the day’s six tests.
Beta USA’s Jhak Walker landed third with 5-3-5 results through the first three sections. The fourth test saw him end seventh. Walker then took sixth in Test 5 and was able to climb to third in Test 6.
Women’s Elite Podium
A strong contender in the Women’s Elite class during the 2024 season, Rachel Gutish kicked off this year in style, piloting her Sherco to victory at the season opener. She scored three wins and three second-place results on the day to capture her first-ever win in Sumter, South Carolina.
Red Bear Racing’s Rachael Archer, the reigning Women’s Elite Champion, captured the first two test wins before taking the runner-up spot through the next two. She fought her way to another test win in Section 5, despite encountering issues with her brakes. Archer followed it up with a second place in the final test. Her performance earned her silver in the Palmetto State.
In her second-ever national enduro, Brandy Richards put in a solid day aboard her FMF KTM Factory Racing Team Landers. She bounced between third and fourth throughout the day, earning a podium finish.
Top Amateurs
Zack Hayes secured the 30+ A class win with a clean sweep in his hometown. He put his KTM in 13th overall when the results were tallied.
Lane Whitmer captured the AA class win and nabbed 17th overall. The GasGas rider went 1-2-7-2 through the initial four sections and finished the day with wins in the final two tests.
View full event results and series standings at nationalenduro.com/scoring.
Overall Results – FMF Sumter National
1. Steward Baylor Jr. (KAW)
2. Josh Toth (KAW)
3. Ben Kelley (KTM)
4. Ricky Russell (TRI)
5. Trevor Bollinger (KAW)
6. Jason Tino (GAS)
7. Ryder Lafferty (HON)
8. Chase Landers (KTM)
9. Jhak Walker (BET)
10. Jonathan Johnson (HON)
Series Overall Standings
1. Steward Baylor Jr. (KAW) - NE Pro1
2. Josh Toth (KAW) - NE Pro1
3. Ben Kelley (KTM) - NE Pro1
4. Ricky Russell (TRI) - NE Pro1
5. Trevor Bollinger (KAW) - NE Pro1
6. Jason Tino (GAS) - NE Pro2
7. Ryder Lafferty (HON) - NE Pro1
8. Chase Landers (KTM) - NE Pro2
9. Jhak Walker (BET) - NE Pro2
10. Jonathan Johnson (HON) - NE Pro2
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, designing 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, improve operations 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