Bobbitt Wins US National Enduro Rd8

Russell Bobbitt led an all-Husaberg sweep of the podium at this weekend’s Rattlesnake Enduro, round eight of the Rekluse AMA National Enduro series in Cross Fork, Pennsylvania.

Rain the day before and on the morning of the race made for slippery conditions at this year’s event, as Bobbitt took advantage of a late start number to come away with a long overdue win. After posting the fastest time in the first three tests of the day, Bobbitt settled into a comfortable pace for the rest of the race to take the overall win by a 33-second margin over runner-up Nick Fahringer. The win was Bobbitt’s first in nearly a year.

“It feels good to get back on top of the podium,” said Bobbitt. “I was riding really good today, but I also had a bit of an advantage because of my late start time. I guess I’ll be breaking trail at the next race, so it all works out. I’ll take it any way I can get it.”

After getting off to a slow start, Fahringer came on strong at the end of the day. The Husaberg rider finished second in the fourth test and then won the final two tests to beat out factory Husaberg rider Mike Lafferty by 30 seconds, making the fourth time this year that Fahringer has finished in the runner-up slot.

Series points leader Charlie Mullins had an off day and finished fourth, although at one time the KTM rider was as far back as seventh before a strong finish in the final test moved him up the order. Despite the fourth-place finish, Mullins still holds a 29-point lead in the series standings over Fahringer with only two races remaining on the schedule.

“I suffered a few crashes throughout the tests today which set me back,” stated Mullins. “I really had a tough time in the fifth test but the sixth test was smooth and a perfect amount of rocks – not too many. I was able to make up some ground in that test, which helped bump up my overall finish.”

Yamaha’s Brad Bakken rode a 250F Yamaha to fifth overall, while Yamaha’s Jesse Groemm rode a 250 two-stroke to sixth. Groemm turned some heads by winning the ultra-fast fourth test.

The Rekluse AMA National Enduro Series now takes a seven-week break before resuming action in Lynnville, Indiana, on September 15th for round nine of the series.

For more information on the series go to www.nationalenduro.com.

Results – US National Enduro Rd8

1. Russell Bobbitt (Hsb) 2. Nick Fahringer (Hsb) 3. Mike Lafferty (Hsb) 4. Charlie Mullins (KTM) 5. Brad Bakken (Yam) 6. Jesse Groemm (Yam) 7. Andrew DeLong (Hsq) 8. Thad DuVall (Hon) 9. Ian Blythe (KTM) 10. Tanner Thomas (KTM)