On The Pegs August 2018 - Volume 3 - Issue 8 | Página 83

On The Pegs
Vol. 3 Issue 8 - August 2018
P 83
“I haven’t been able to train over the last couple of weeks
and I think that affected my timing,” said Steward. “I’ve been
sick all week and the heat today didn’t help any.”
Steward came on strong in the final two tests, but came
just short in his bid to catch Toth.
KR4 Husqvarna’s Cory Buttrick turned in his best perfor-
mance of the season with a fourth place, missing the podium
by just under a minute. Buttrick is one of the only Pro riders
that does his own maintenance at the track.
Buttrick finished second to Grant Baylor in the fourth test.
“It was satisfying being towards the front again,” said But-
trick. “It’s also satisfying doing it on your own, although my
wife, Mackenzie, helps were she can. It’s tough not being
able to catch your breath all day.
“It was really tough to keep it upright, there were a lot of
roots. I always have a good time when I come here, I really
love this place.”
SRT Racing’s Evan Smith rounded out the top five with a
steady and nearly error-free day.
“It was actually a pretty clean day; I didn’t fall or hit any
trees,” said Smith. “I really don’t feel like fifth reflects how
well I rode today. I don’t live too far from here, so I was right
at home in this stuff.”
Solid Performance KTM’s Ryder Lafferty finished sixth over-
all, which also gave him the win in the NE Pro2 class. Lafferty
made the switch from a KTM 250F to a 350F for this race.
“I had a mistake in the third test and I got lost, so that cost
me a few seconds, but overall it was a pretty clean day,” said
Lafferty. “It was my first ride on the big bike and I’m pretty
happy with it.”
Five-time National Enduro Champion Russell Bobbitt fin-
ished seventh on his Gnarly Routes KTM. Bobbitt got off to
a shaky start but then settled in for the final three tests and
finished the race with three-straight times inside the top five.
Trail Jesters KTM Racing’s Ben Kelley had an off day with
an eighth place finish, while Jake Froman was ninth overall
and second in the NE Pro2 class in his debut ride with the