Oklahoma City, OKLA. (October 20, 2013) – Charlie Mullins capped off a championship winning season by taking his eight victory of the year at the final round of the Rekluse AMA National Enduro Series in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
After wrapping up the 2013 title one round early at last month’s round in Indiana, Mullins came into Oklahoma hoping to cash in on the $5000 Radiant AirGroup Bounty offered to any rider that could win all six tests of the race. The FMF/KTM rider got off to a great start by winning the first four tests, however, a near crash in the fifth test shook Mullins to the point that he backed off the pace. In the end, Mullins decided to concentrate on the race win rather than risk a crash going for the bounty.
“In the fifth test I just had one of those moments,” said Mullins. “It was on a downhill and I hit a rock at the top and although I didn’t go down, it got me thinking.”
Mullins still ended up fourth fastest for the test, however he encountered another problem in the final test when he lost his rear brakes about two miles in.
Despite finishing eighth in the final test, Mullins still took the overall win by 37 seconds over factory Husaberg rider Russell Bobbitt.
“I just didn’t feel the same after almost crashing,” said Mullins. “Then after that, I was afraid I might have lost the race when my brakes went away, so it was pretty cool to come away with another win.”
Bobbitt won the final test of the day on his way to the runner-up finish, while Radiant AirGroup Racing’s Nick Fahringer came on strong in the final two tests to secure the final step of the podium and second overall in the final standings.
Local AA rider Tony Joiner surprised some of the series regulars by winning the fifth test and finishing second in another. The Yamaha rider ended the day in fourth ahead of Colorado’s Ian Blythe.
Am Pro Yamaha’s Jesse Groemm was sixth ahead of eight-time champ Mike Lafferty, who was making his final ride on a Husaberg.
Husaberg rider Kyle McDonal was eighth, ahead of FAR Husqvarna’s Andrew DeLong and Obermeyer Yamaha’s Brad Bakken.
In the final series standings, Mullins was first with a total of 268 points, with Fahringer second with 218, and Bobbitt in third with 186.
For full results and the 2014 schedule visit www.nationalenduro.com.
Results
1. Charlie Mullins (KTM)
2. Russell Bobbitt (Hsb)
3. Nick Fahringer (Hsb)
4. Tony Joiner (Yam)
5. Ian Blythe (KTM)
6. Jesse Groemm (Yam)
7. Mike Lafferty (Hsb)
8. Kyle McDonal (Hsb)
9. Andrew DeLong (Hsq)
10. Brad Bakken (Yam)
