SIPES
DOMINATES
W.V. SPRINT
ENDURO
R
yan Sipes returned to the
2017 Kenda Full Gas Sprint
Enduro Series, presented by
PRI Powersports Insurance,
and came away with the win that
was never in doubt once the
green flag dropped. The race
was staged in Glen Daniel, West
Virginia, September 30-Octo-
ber 1, at the Hidden Valley Golf
Course, where a part of the
racetrack was actually held on
the golf course.
Sipes, on the Costal Rac-
ing/Husqvarna, dominated the
proceedings, never dropping a
wheel in a wrong rut and keep-
ing big mistakes to a minimum.
After two days of racing, Sipes
won nine of the 12 tests and had
approximately two minutes to
spare over the next-best rider,
Cory Buttrick.
"Overall, I think I rode pretty
good," added Sipes. "I was a little
cautious in the first test on Satur-
day, just because it was slick. But
after that, I think I rode pretty well.
It's good to get the win and I'm
happy with how I rode."
The win was Sipes' third of the
seven rounds run so far.
Buttrick matched a season-
best finish with second. "I made
a few mistakes today, but overall
it was a good weekend," said
Buttrick. "I had a couple of
crashes today that didn't come
at a good time, but I still man-
aged second overall. Things
went a little smoother on Satur-
day and I felt I was riding a little
better. The fairways were sort
of slippery, so you had to watch
your lines in the Cross test.
"I've been working really hard
lately, and it's good to see it
finally paying off. I'm hoping to
keep the ball rolling and collect
a few more podiums before the
year is over."
Steward Baylor finished third,
a little over a second behind
Buttrick. Baylor, on the SRT
Racing KTM, still managed to
increase his points lead in the
series over Beta USA's Jordan
Ashburn, who was fourth on the
weekend. With two rounds left
to go, Baylor's lead over Ash-
burn is just five points.
IN
THE
WIND
P38
PHOTOGRAPHY
BY
DARRIN
CHAPMAN
