FASSETT, PA

Decisions, decisions...

Riders were once again given the option at the Barbed Wire Enduro to ride up the infamous "Slide" (right) or not. Do they try their luck with this non-points-taking 200-foot hillclimb (a.k.a. "Hero") and wow the spectators, or do they just slide quietly out the back unnoticed and ride around it to the next section (a.k.a. "Zero")? Going up the Slide, some riders felt the thrill of victory and some met the agony of defeat. Either way, the spectators were wowed.

The Southern Tier Enduro Riders laid out more than 70 ground miles of trail in a two-loop traditional enduro fashion, which included six points-taking sections. The first loop incorporated three sections that consisted of elevation changes, creeks, rock beds, grass sections, and an interesting trek through a tunnel under Route 14.

The riders had a 45-minute layover back at the start and then were sent out again for three more sections, one of which included the Slide, where they had the opportunity to perform their heroic or "zero-ic" feat. After jumping over the New York and Pennsylvania borders throughout most of the day, the riders finished up (back in Pennsylvania) with an 8-mile piece that re-educated them on their "three R's" - roots, rocks and ruts - and proved to be the most challenging section of the day.

In the AA class, after the first points-taking section (check two), current ECEA points leader Rich Lafferty (above) and his older brother Jack Lafferty Jr. tied with a 3/174 and their fellow KTM jockey and WNYOA favorite, John Oeschle scored a 3/192. Subsequently, at the next crucial points-taking section (check six), Rich carded a 3/164, followed by Suzuki pilot Ben Smith with a 3/176 and KTM rider Chase Compton with a 3/201. At check eight, Rich Lafferty pulled ahead with a 2/149, followed closely again by Smith and Compton.

By the end of the event, MSR/DP Brakes/Kenda Tires/ELF/Factory Connection/GPR's Rich Lafferty was the overall champion with a 14/487, followed by the seconds-splitting competitors Smith (16/562), Compton (16/572), and Jack Lafferty Jr. (16/644). High Point A went to Pirelli/Factory Connection's Mike Sigety, who managed to finish the event on his Suzuki while suffering from a broken ankle.

Yamaha rider Brent Hoover easily won the B-class overall/High Point B (and the B Four-Stroke Light class). Roy Harrell, Brad Bernet and Ray Powell duked it out to end up in third, fourth and fifth overall, respectively, but their fellow KTM rider Art Downs managed to slide by them all to claim second overall.

In C-class competition, High Point C winner Richard Heins, on his Yamaha, dominated the day with his score of 44/1555. His closest competitor was KTM rider Robert Kitchen, with a 47/1685.

KTM rider Jack Lafferty Sr. easily won the Masters' class, over Kawasaki jockey Jim Jenkins, while Charles Stapleford carded the best score in the Golden Masters' class, with his fellow KTM riders Joe Galie and Jack Mitchell sparring for second- and third-place finishes, respectively.

In typical fashion, STER held a well-organized and stellar event. From sign-up procedures to trophy presentation and quick online posting of results, a rider couldn't ask for anything more. Well done!

Results

AA: 1. Rich Lafferty (KTM); 2. Ben Smith (Suz); 3. Chase Compton (KTM).

A 200: 1. Chris Curlett (KTM); 2. Steve Aretz (KTM); 3. Ron De Caro (KTM).

A 250: 1. Ed Emery (Suz); 2. Mark Beauregard (KTM); 3. Mark Conner (KTM).

A OPEN: 1. Mike Sigety (Suz); 2. Jacob Williams (KTM); 3. Brian Melik (Yam).

A 4-STRK LT: 1. Garrett Mayer (KTM); 2. Eric Hahn (KTM); 3. Stephen Green (KTM).

A 4-STK HVY: 1. T.J. Cacacie (KTM); 2. David Glenn (Yam); 3. Perry Lesko (KTM).

A VET: 1. Jamie Wright (KTM); 2. Ryan Kaza (Yam); 3. Jeff Moyer (KTM).

A SR: 1. Des Conboy (Yam); 2. Phil Carlin (Hon); 3. Pat Emmons (KTM).

A S/SR: 1. Wayne Fontanazza (Yam); 2. Cliff Tenney (KTM); 3. Dale Sonnenschein (KTM).

B 200: 1. John Castaldi (Kaw); 2. Justin Gibble (Kaw); 3. Kyle Fontanazza (KTM).

B 250: 1. Brad Bernet (KTM); 2. Raymond Powell (KTM); 3. Malcolm Bohanon (KTM).

B OPEN: 1. Alex Perry (KTM); 2. Jason Serafin (GG).

B 4-STRK LT: 1. Brent Hoover (Yam); 2. George Short (KTM); 3. Joseph Gallagher (Yam).

B 4-STRK HVY: 1. Dirk MacFarlane (Hus); 2. Michael Collins (KTM).

B VET: 1. Roy Harrell (KTM); 2. Eric Smith (KTM); 3. Rich Grate (KTM).

B SR: 1. Arthur Downs (KTM); 2. John White (Yam); 3. Michael Demos (Hon).

B S/SR: 1. Russell Newlen (KTM); 2. Peter Quigley (KTM); 3. Ed Brown (Hon).

C 250: 1. Richard Heins (Yam); 2. Timothy Turner (Yam).

C OPEN: 1. Sam Runbeare (KTM); 2. Dan Duzenski (KTM).

C 4-STRK: 1. Stuart Finnigan (Suz); 2. Bernard St. Amand (Hon); 3. Scott Karascak (Yam).

C VET: 1. Robert Kitchen (KTM); 2. Tom Habig (Hon); 3. Michael McGuckin (Hon).

C SR: 1. Martin Judge (KTM); 2. Earl Gibb (KTM); 3. Casey Crout (Suz).

MSTR: 1. Jack Lafferty Sr. (KTM); 2. Jim Jenkins (Kaw).

GOLDEN MSTR: 1. Charles Stapleford (KTM); 2. Jack Mitchell (KTM); 3. Joe Galie (KTM).

TEAMS: 1. OCCR; 2. DER#1; 3. SPER.