| June 7, 2022
Team NAP/ XC Gear defended their number one plate at this year’s running of the Max Motosports/Perry Mountain 24-Hour challenge in Stanton, Alabama, June 3-4. The Elite team consisted of Andrew Clark (Sherco), Steve Nicholas (KTM), Colby Yarborough (Yamaha) and Grady Faint (KTM).
Story and Photos by Kenny King
The Elite teams are made up of four riders while other classes can have up to six riders. The 11-mile course was rutted and tough, and as usual for this time of year, it was hot—in the 90s and with no rain, it was also dusty.
The NAP/XC Gear team rode consistent consistently, finishing with 49 laps completed, with an average lap time of 29 minutes and 33 seconds. Andrew Clark started out for the team.
“I managed to take us into the lead,” Clark said. “We had a few hiccups but the big one came at night. Around 1:00 a.m., we had a battery issue and had to get a course worker to help bump-start the bike. We managed to finish the lap and not lose too much time. All in all, a pretty good race.”
As a bonus, Clark claimed the fastest lap of the race. The host club had a $200 prize for the rider with the fastest lap and with the help of social media, Team KTM’s Aaron Plessinger stepped up and added 800 dollars to the prize to round it out to $1000.
In the number-two spot was the Team NAP/XC Gear expert team made up of Taylor Downs (Honda), Spencer Cook (Yamaha), Evan Chisolm (Yamaha), Ensign Payne (Yamaha), Tucker Hanks (KTM) and Logan Pool (KTM). The expert-class winners made 47 laps.
“We started pretty good and led the expert class the whole race,” said Downs. “Around daybreak, Evan Chisolm broke his helmet light off and Ensign Payne, also in the morning hours, had his clutch lever held in by his hand guard and he need to make a pit stop after a lap to repair it.”
Rounding out the podium was Team NAP/XC Gear’s 30-plus entry. They took the 30-plus win completing 46 laps. The team consisted of Sammy Dorris (Kawasaki), Darin Downs (KTM), Ben Lee (KTM), Damon Prince (Yamaha), Jacob Peterson (Yamaha) and Jared Hicks (Kawasaki).
“We jumped to the lead in the 30-plus class,” said Downs. “We battled back and forth with the sixth-place team, team KXCR in the elite class. We were running three laps each and we were sort of banking on the KXCR team getting tired as they were a four-man team. We led the 30-plus class the entire race and managed to move into third overall in the early morning.”
Their race wasn’t without issues. A few flats, a broken clutch lever but nothing major.
In the Ironman class, Matt Brasher (Yamaha) completed 30 laps. Brasher has tried two other times for top Ironman but came up short both times.
“I led last year up until 5:00 a.m. and just couldn’t go any more,” Brasher said. “So, it seems the third time is the charm.”
So, what’s the trick to soloing the 24-hour race? “You got to avoid the ruts, find all the smooth spots you can,” Brasher answered.
Two-time World Motocross Champion Trampas Parker raced last year on a vintage team riding ‘80s era Husqvarnas. It seems he enjoyed it enough to come back. He rode on Team Fishers of Men Ministry and claimed a ninth overall, first 45-plus class.
“My brother, Heith, talked us into racing this again. I might not let him do it again!” said Parker. “I borrowed a bike from Donnie Graham at Graham KTM. It’s the first time I’ve ridden a modern bike in about 10 years. Aside from one issue with a lapped rider, I had a good trouble-free race.”
Team The Stone Dingos was the highest placing Sportsman team, rounding out the top 10 with 44 laps. Team No Balls took the win in the Women’s class with 30 laps completed.
This year’s event was the largest it’s ever been, totaling 125 entries and 479 competitors.