| June 5, 2024
Team Carolina XC Elite took the top spot in this year’s Perry Mountain 24-hour Challenge in Plantersville, Alabama, on June 1-2. The Winning team consisted of riders Andy Carlson, Lee Hallman, Chase Hayes, Zach Hayes and Justin Snipes. They finished with 49 laps and a time of 24:00:41.
Zach Hayes was part of the winning Carolina XC winning team at the Perry Mountain 24-Hour Challenge in Alabama.
By Kenneth King
“We got off to a good start and then the rains came and made everything a tough,” Zach Hayes said. “We tried to ride consistently and stayed in the top three, then around dark, we moved into first and managed to get a lap up on the number two and three teams. We had some issues with two of the bikes. One bike bent a shifter to the peg and another had a leaking head gasket. Other than that, we had no real issues.”
In the number two spot was team Worn/FMF with Caleb Hines, Wyatt Marshall, Jacob Patterson, Daniel Spurgeon, Carter Trice and Conner Trice. The team finished one lap behind the leaders with 48 laps and a time of 24:07:56.
“We started off strong, then in a tight section that ran by the creek, Wyatt high-sided and went off into the creek,” said Jacob Patterson. “That took us six or seven minutes to get him out. We put on a charge, then Wyatt lost a motor, and we had to do a motor swap. The night went well, and we had a good fight, but the Carolina XC boys had a strong team this year. I’ve done this race three times, and it was the first time for my teammates, and they did a heck of a job.”
Jacob Patterson helped lead the Worn/FMF/Elite team to second overall.
Team Ibex Pro, which included riders Andrew Clark, Evan Earl, Guage Key, Steve Nicholas III, Aidan Pogson, and Colby Yarbrough, finished in the final podium spot. The guys completed 48 laps in 24:14:35.
“Our race started out pretty good,” said Clark. “Gauge started first and when he was finishing his laps blew his motor. We swapped his motor and got into the lead for a couple of laps about midday then Gauge blew another motor, he blew two motors this weekend. We dropped back to sixth or seventh, and we fought back hard and managed to get within 10 minutes of second but just couldn’t get any closer.”
The team’s Steve Nicholas claimed the fastest night lap award.
Team Ibex Pro, which included riders Andrew Clark, Evan Earl, Guage Key, Steve Nicholas III, Aidan Pogson, and Colby Yarbrough (pictured), finished in the final podium spot. The guys completed 48 laps in 24:14:35.
Team Suzuki Yamaha of Dalton with riders Seth Derryberry, David Greer, Jonathan Greer, Jimmy Hawkins, Josh Hensley and Kieth Holtzclaw took fourth overall with 47 laps followed by Team Busch Light Banditos, with riders Christian Burdine, Sammy Dorris, Travis Hardcastlle, Ben Lee, Damon Prince and Geoffrey Sander rounding out the top five and claiming first expert.
Four-time National Enduro champion Terry Cunningham joined Team Active Agers to take the 45-plus win. The team of Frank Conn, Jerry Gibson, Nolan Knight, Mark Lewis, Brian Paschal and Cunningham finished with 40 laps.
Former AMA National Enduro Champion Terry Cunningham was a part of the 45-Plus class winning team.
In the Ironman class, Levi Riley rode 30 laps for his victory. Riley stopped Matt Brasher’s winning streak, which had been five laps shy. Brasher won it in 2022 and 2023. In the Ironwoman class, Madison Allen finished 18 laps and rode quite a few laps a night with a flashlight taped to her handlebars due to lighting issues.
Levi Riley won the Ironman class.
Normally this race is dry, hot and dusty. Not this year. Rains came right after the start and flooded the course. Temps were in the high 60s and 70s most of the day. It rained off and on and turned the course into a challenge to make a lap.
What started out as a 12-mile course was chopped down to 6 as the club members worked tirelessly throughout the day and night to reroute problem areas. It did manage to dry out some, and a three-mile section was added back in the early hours. It is definitely one of the most challenging events for racers and club members alike.
In the Ironwoman class, Madison Allen finished 18 laps and rode quite a few laps a night with a flashlight taped to her handlebars due to lighting issues.
OVERALL
1: Carolina XC: Andy Carlson, Lee Hallman, Chase Hayes, Zack Hayes, Justin Snipes
2: Worn/FMF/Elite: Caleb Hines, Wyatt Marshall, Jacob Patterson, Daniel Spurgeon, Carter Trice, Connor Trice
3: Ibex Pro Elite: Andrew Clark, Evan Earl, Gauge Key, Steve Nicholas III, Aidan Pogson, Colby Yarbrough
4: Suzuki Yamaha of Dalton: Seth Derryberry, David Greer, Jonathan Greer, Jimmy Hawkins, Josh Hensley, Keith Holtzclaw
5: Busch Light Banditos: Christian Burdine, Sammy Dorris, Travis Hardcastle, Ben Lee, Damon Prince, Geoffrey Sanders
Perry Mountain 24 Hour Challenge Results