NEPG ROUND 2 CAJUN CLASSIC RECAP
Story: NEPG
April 08, 2024
Josh Toth (Enduro Engineering GasGas) on his way to the Pro 1 win at the second round of the NEPG series in Louisiana.
Image courtesy NEPG
Multi-Disciplinary Master Josh TOth Takes the Win
Josh Toth (Enduro Engineering GasGas) is adding to his impressive resume by riding a schedule of multiple disciplines and proving that he can win at whatever event he is racing on any bike. Riding different brands and size bikes throughout his busy schedule, National Enduros being his only full time series grabbing a win on his 350 GasGas sponsored by Enduro Engineering will help him enter the points battle for the 2024 season.
The Full Story
Camp Claiborne in Forest Hill, Louisiana was the host of the second round of the 2024 Redline Oil AMA National Enduro Series presented by Beta Motorcycles and MSR. The Acadiana Dirt Riders laid out 60 miles of epic single track through the old military training grounds.
Josh Toth is adding to his impressive resume by riding a schedule of multiple disciplines and proving that he can win at whatever event he is racing on any bike. Riding different brands and size bikes throughout his busy schedule, National Enduros being his only full time series grabbing a win on his 350 GasGas sponsored by Enduro Engineering will help him enter the points battle for the 2024 season. Having a bit of a rough start with a bent front brake rotor in the first test, Josh came on strong by test 3 and winning the 4 final tests of the day en route to a 38 second win.
“I felt great today, the trails were awesome all day. I put down a lead after test 3 and put in a little bit of a buffer and just tried to ride smart from there and finish strong. I am stoked to get this awesome trophy and get it home into the garage.” Said Josh talking about his day and taking home the unique handmade Swamp buggy trophy.
Babbitts Online Monster Energy Kawasaki Rider Grant Baylor swiped the second overall position from his brother Steward Baylor Jr in the final test to finish just 4 tenths of a second ahead. Grant is the defending champing and playing catch up in the points after a dnf in the first round of the season.
“I came in with just the wrong settings and slowly got the settings dialed in for the day and put on a push at the end of the day. Good day to come in and take the second place on the day. It was a rough day out there. Glad to gain some points back after a dnf at the first one.” Grant said.
Rocky Mountain ATV/MC Red Bear Racing Kawasaki Rider Steward Baylor Jr becomes the only NE Pro 1 rider to be on the podium each of the first two rounds.
“Man, the track was fun, usually like a big turn track. I felt like I was riding good, but I would come in and see I got beat by more. Championship wise it was not terrible, but not quite what I wanted. I am looking forward to finish in the middle of the box.” Steward said.
Finishing Fourth Overall and 1st in the NE Pro 2 class was FMF KTM Factory Racing Team Landers Grant Davis. Having a few tests inside the top 3 overall helped him build over a 2-minute lead in the NE Pro2 division.
“Training with the fastest guys all year round has helped gain some speed and I am riding good lately. I have been working hard this year. So, it feels good that it is paying off.” Said Davis.
FMF KTM Factory Racing Team rider Johnny Girroir is still finding his enduro legs being fairly new to the series. He was able to put on a late charge to move up to the fifth overall position on the day.
Evan Smith riding a Husqvarna was able to win the opening test of the day and held on to a fifth place NE Pro1 class position and sixth overall.
Rockstar Energy Factory Husqvarna rider Trevor Bollinger was seventh overall while AM Pro Yamahas Ricky Russell was eighth overall.
Ninth overall and Second in the NE Pro2 class was AM Pro Yamahas Nathaniel ‘Bubz’ Tasha. Bubz has placed on the NE Pro2 Podium multiple times over the past two seasons.
“I was having a good day. I really like the fast smooth ones like this was. Happy to walk away with a second and I am ready for Arkansas.” Said Tasha.
Tenth overall and third in NE Pro2 was once again Nicholas Defeo on his Babbitts Online Monster Energy Kawasaki.
“I know where I need to get better, I just need to keep practicing and keep learning. I am still new to the Enduros as this was just my third one ever.” Said Defeo.
Womens Elite Podium - (l) Shelby Turner (Enduro Engineering GasGas), (c) Rachael Archer (Rocky Mountain ATV/MC Red Bear Racing), (l) Brooke Cosner
Winning the Womens Elite Division was Rocky Mountain ATV/MC Red Bear Racing Kawasaki rider Rachael Archer. Rachael won all 5 tests on the day to win by 2 minutes 21 seconds over Canada’s Shelby Turner (Enduro Engineering GasGas).
Turner was second place on the day finishing second in each test of the day. Brooke Cosner finished on the Womens Elite Podium for the first time for 2024 at the Cajun Classic.
The Series will continue on May 5th in Kingston, AR for the Black Buffalo National Enduro presented by Redline Oil.
