Best in class

By Mo Cranker on October 3, 2017.

mcranker@medicinehatnews.com @MHNmocranker

The drag racing season could not have gone any better for the Toth family.

Riley Toth ended the year on top of the Medicine Hat Drag Racing Association’s Pro Bike leaderboard, with a 100-plus point lead on his brother Zach, who finished second. Their father Dave, sitting a little more than 100 points back of Zach, looks to be finishing in third place, though it is not officially confirmed yet.

“It’s been our goal since we all started racing together to finish top three,” said Dave. “The boys have come such a long way in the past few years, they’re both very good racers. This year, no one could touch Riley. He was pretty unstoppable from the start of the year right through the final races.”

Dave says he has been racing for decades, and recently introduced Riley and Zach to the sport.

“I’ve been really impressed with Zach and Riley,” he said. “Considering the guys grew up without motorcycles, to get on a full-blown drag bike for their first experience — I’m totally impressed. They’ve had a lot of success recently and they’re both really good riders.”

Riley will be headed to the NHRA Nationals next month in California and says he feels ready.

“The season went as best as it could go — I was pretty much unbeatable all year,” said Riley. “I’m definitely a bit nervous, though my confidence is as high as it’s ever been, so I do feel good going in.”

Riley echoed his father’s thoughts, saying the group’s goal is to top the standings each and every year.

“Finishing top three is what we plan for at the start of the year and we’re very grateful to see it possibly happen this year,” he said.

Dave says though they are always facing off head-to-head, the trio always works as a unit.

“We do operate as a team,” said Dave. “Our bikes are all pretty similar, so we can use data. We share everything. We share notes. We talk about our competitors. We have game plans of what we want to do and we always work together.”

Now years into his racing career, Riley says he could not have made it this far without the support of his parents.

“A lot of the success came from my dad, he basically taught me everything I know about racing, really,” he said. “I’d also like to thank my mom. She helps us all so much, and we really wouldn’t be able to do this without her help and support.

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