2023 IRC Endurofest-Hawaii Results

| March 15, 2023

The second round of the AMA West Hard Enduro Series, presented by Beta, took place in Hawaii over the March 11-12 weekend, and must now be regarded as one of the toughest races in the USA with only three finishers.

Trystan Hart at 2023 IRC Endurofest-Hawaii — **Trystan Hart outlasted the field at the extremely challenging IRC Endurofest-Hawaii Hard Enduro on the Island of Oahu.**

Story by Matt Musgrave, Photos by Shan Moore

IRC Endurofest-Hawaii, presented by Pasha, was hosted by the Hawaii Motorsports Association (HMA) at the Kahuku Motocross Track on the North Shore of Oahu. The race debuted last year, but this this was the first time it was part of the AMA circuit and gave the Hawaiian racers a chance at Tennessee Knockout qualification in their own backyard. Race Director Kapili Olson and his trail-cutting crew worked for months blazing new trail and clearing the old course in the fast-growing rainforests, which consisted of extremely slick creek beds, steep up and down hills, slippery off-cambers, mudholes, and plenty of rocks and tree roots.

The USHE organized a container from the mainland and shipped 25 motorcycles to Honolulu for the race. A mix of pro and amateur USHE athletes had the opportunity to race their own bikes, which created a level playing field for the competition and reduced the amount of bike-setup issues. Approximately 20 racers from Kauai also shipped their bikes over in a container, which added to the deep field of talented athletes.

Ryder LeBlond at 2023 IRC Endurofest-Hawaii — **Ryder LeBlond was eight minutes off the pace in second place.**

The Endurofest consisted of three races in two days. Over 200 competitors lined up for Saturday’s two hard-enduro competitions, which increased in difficulty. The amateurs were provided nearly six hours of ride time on Saturday, while the pros and faster amateurs would finish the laps required in less time. The top-100 overall finishers from Saturday were able to line up on Sunday’s race three, which was a two-lap race on a much tougher course than expected by everyone.

The temperature rose a few degrees and the humidity increased on Sunday, which added to the difficulty for race three. Early on, there was a battle for the lead involving Trystan Hart (Red Bull/FMF KTM), Colton Haaker (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna), and Ryder LeBlond (DRT Racing/Husqvarna), who were making their way through a long and slippery creek to the other side of the property. The creek was the ending point of over half the field, as 50 riders didn’t even complete a check, and some just ended up turning around before getting out of it.

By the halfway point, Hart had a five-minute lead and was pulling away from the pack. LeBlond ended up pulling away from Haaker, and Will Riordan began battling for the third spot. The 14-mile course started to take a toll on the racers, as the heat under the canopy and the constant loss of traction depleted the energy from everyone. Hart completed one lap in under two hours, and LeBlond was eight minutes behind. Riordan made a pass on Haaker toward the end of the first lap but didn’t make a hill, and Haaker passed him back for the third spot. Josh Toth (Enduro Engineering/GasGas) was riding very strong in the top five, taking advantage of his experience riding slick terrain and humid conditions on the East Coast.

Will Riordan at 2023 IRC Endurofest-Hawaii — **Will Riordan earned his first AMA USHE Pro podium.**

Kauai’s Ryder Guest was nearing the top five but had a flat tire and swapped wheels on the first lap. The attrition was significant, as the majority of the field was slowing down their progress and pulling out the race as it went on.

Hart finished in first with a commanding lead in three hours and 22 minutes. LeBlond finished 30 minutes behind for second, and Will Riordan earned his first AMA USHE Pro podium, finishing seconds before the timing closed. They were the only three racers to make two laps in the four-hour time limit.

Toth was one checkpoint from finishing, while Haaker finished in fifth.

Only 29 riders completed two laps, while 50 riders made it to the first checkpoint.

Josh Toth at 2023 IRC Endurofest-Hawaii — Josh Toth was fourth overall.

IRC Endurofest-Hawaii was unexpectedly tough and took all of the racers by surprise, but both pro and amateur racers congratulated the HMA and event team for creating a proper hard-enduro racecourse. The amateurs that raced got plenty of ride time on technical trails, and the very talented local racers got to experience an AMA-sanctioned hard-enduro event.

The AMA U.S. Hard Enduro Series continues March 25-26 at the Grinding Stone Hard Enduro in Page, Arizona.