AMA National Enduro: Steward Baylor Victorious at Sumter Season Opener
The Redline Oil AMA National Enduro Series, presented by MSR and Beta Motorcycles, kicked off at the FMF Sumter National Enduro – Rocky Mountain Red Bear Racing Kawasaki’s Steward Baylor takes round one win.
Nearly 700 riders carved through dense pine forests and the sandy terrain at the FMF Sumter National as both the competition and the warm weather turned up for an early February start to the 2025 National Enduro series.
After a long winter break, it was back to business on the tight, twisty trails crafted by the Sumter Enduro Riders Motorcycle Association. Those who excel in the sand quickly found their rhythm on the tests: 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.
Rocky Mountain Red Bear Racing Kawasaki solid start to 2025
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 one. 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.
“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.”
2024 Champ on new wheels
Josh Toth, the 2024 season champion who’s since joined the Red Bear Racing Kawasaki Team alongside Baylor Jr., finished just 32 seconds off 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.
“Stu was ripping all day.” Said Josh. “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.”
Ben’s back
After suffering an injury in January of last year, FMF KTM Factory Racing’s Ben Kelley had to work hard to rebuild his fitness over the winter. Returning with a vengeance aboard his KTM 350 XC-F in Sumter, Kelley 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 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.”
Say what? rider podium interviews
NE Pro2 Podium
Flatrock Motorclub GASGAS Factory Racing’s Jason Tino clinched the NE Pro2 class win at the FMF Sumter National. Taking his GasGas EX 250F through the first two tests of the day in the top spot for his class, he slipped to second but then regained 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 with victory against some stiff competition. 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.
Overall Results (top 30)
View full event results and series standings: www.nationalenduro.com/scoring
Photo Credit: Mack Faint
Words Credit: Heather Wilson
