Lafferty Wins A Wet One At Leadbelt National Enduro

Shan Moore | May 1, 2006

KTM’s Mike Lafferty (right) padded his lead in the AMA FMF Racing National Enduro Series overall standings by taking his second win of the year at a wet and muddy fourth round of the series held at St. Joe State Park in Park Hills, Missouri, yesterday. Lafferty, who is in pursuit of an eighth National Enduro title, topped fellow KTM rider Russell Bobbitt of Georgia by seven points with Stephen Edmonson of Virginia, also riding a KTM, another point back.

Lafferty opened up a four point lead over both Bobbitt and Edmonson after the first loop, which covered 50 miles of tight and rocky single track, as a light rain fell intermittently on the event.

During the second lap a storm moved over head, dropping torrential rain and hail on the riders, as Lafferty gained another three points over Bobbitt and four over Edmonson to take the win.

New Jersey’s Fred Hoess, riding a Gas Gas, took fourth, with Ohioan Cody Mastin, on a KTM in fifth.

Rich Lafferty, Mike’s brother, was in contention for a podium finish until the final check section where he watered out while attempting to pass a rider. He eventually finished ninth.

With four of 11 rounds in the books, Lafferty holds a 13 point lead over Bobbitt in the standings (106 to 93), with Edmonson in third, another 16 points back with 77. Hoess is fourth with 59 and Rich Lafferty is fifth with 57.