Lafferty wins Enduro opener

From KTM Racing

SUMTER, SC -- The riders and fans could not have asked for a more beautiful day to start off the first round of the AMA National Enduro Series. The weather was sunny with temperatures in the mid 50's as the riders geared up to tackle the course.

Defending National Enduro Champion Mike Lafferty took the early lead in the first of four special tests on the course. Lafferty's Red Bull KTM teammate and runner-up in last year's championship chase, Russell Bobbitt, came into the first check only two seconds off of Lafferty's time. It was evident the two teammates were embarking on another year as each other's toughest competitor.

The two continued to push each other through the sandy course. With the event half over only two seconds separated the hard charging Red Bull KTM teammates. Lafferty finished in a good time at the third check point. Bobbitt was not as fortunate and lost approximately 40 seconds to Lafferty when he got lost on the loop.

Lafferty was holding his own on the fourth test until he crashed. Lafferty was unharmed and remounted his bike to continue on to the finish. Bobbitt won the final test 15 seconds ahead of Lafferty. Although Bobbitt's last minute charge was a valiant effort, it was not enough to win the overall for the day. The eight-time National Enduro Champion, took the overall by less than a minute over Bobbitt.

"I'm excited to come out on top," declared Lafferty at the finish. "Russell rode strong through the whole race, pushing me the whole way. With him and the other tough competitors here (some who came from the GNCC circuit), I am proud that I was able to take this win."

The series continues on Feb. 24 in Greensboro, GA.

Results
1. Mike Lafferty, KTM
2. Russell Bobbitt, KTM
3. Barry Hawk, Yamaha
4. Jason Raines, Yamaha
5. Jesse Robinson, Kawasaki