KTM Enduro Race Report
February 1, 2010, 1:40pm
Wedgefield, SC – FMF/KTM riders Cory Buttrick and Russell Bobbitt finished on the box at the opening round of the National Enduro Series with Buttrick coming in 2nd place and Bobbitt finishing one spot back in 3rd.
Buttrick, whose main focus is the GNCC XC1 class, used this race as a warm up to the GNCC Series and showed the National Enduro riders he has the skill and speed to run up front. Buttrick rode a strong race from start to finish staying consistently within the top three times on each special test. Bobbitt was also in contention for the win throughout most of the day.
“I actually felt strong all day. I started well, winning the first special test. I lost some time in the next two but was able to catch back up in the fourth special test. This course was challenging and it was poorly marked in places, and unfortunately, I got turned around in a few spots losing time,” remarked Bobbitt.
The weather was another factor the riders had to face. At the start of the race the weather was in the low 20’s and only warmed up into the 40s by the end of the day. “For the first time in my life, I ran heated grips on my race bike,” commented Bobbitt.
The final special test was the most difficult. “The first few tests were mainly sandy sections, sometimes with some clay and mud puddles thrown in but the final test was the most demanding of the day,” stated Bobbitt. “It was a tight woods section that looked like it hadn’t been pre-run. I felt like a wild bandit in the woods blazing the trail. There were roots exposed everywhere and lots of vines which would catch your foot pegs, boots and rear brake caliper at times. It was definitely a little hairy and I was glad to finish.”
Bobbitt had gone into the final test section 12 seconds ahead of Mike Lafferty. The two riders finished the final 10-mile test in the exact same time which gave Bobbitt the bump for 3rd place. Buttrick came in almost one minute faster in the final test which moved him into 2nd overall while Charlie Mullins took the win.
“Overall, I am pleased to finish on the podium. It is a decent start to the season and I am looking forward to round two which will be near my hometown in Georgia,” Bobbitt remarked after the event.
Next Round: Greensboro, GA – February 21, 2010
Overall Results –
1. Charlie Mullins
2. Cory Buttrick – KTM
3. Russell Bobbitt – KTM
4. Mike Lafferty – Husaberg
5. Nick Fahringer – Husaberg
Buttrick, whose main focus is the GNCC XC1 class, used this race as a warm up to the GNCC Series and showed the National Enduro riders he has the skill and speed to run up front. Buttrick rode a strong race from start to finish staying consistently within the top three times on each special test. Bobbitt was also in contention for the win throughout most of the day.
“I actually felt strong all day. I started well, winning the first special test. I lost some time in the next two but was able to catch back up in the fourth special test. This course was challenging and it was poorly marked in places, and unfortunately, I got turned around in a few spots losing time,” remarked Bobbitt.
The weather was another factor the riders had to face. At the start of the race the weather was in the low 20’s and only warmed up into the 40s by the end of the day. “For the first time in my life, I ran heated grips on my race bike,” commented Bobbitt.
The final special test was the most difficult. “The first few tests were mainly sandy sections, sometimes with some clay and mud puddles thrown in but the final test was the most demanding of the day,” stated Bobbitt. “It was a tight woods section that looked like it hadn’t been pre-run. I felt like a wild bandit in the woods blazing the trail. There were roots exposed everywhere and lots of vines which would catch your foot pegs, boots and rear brake caliper at times. It was definitely a little hairy and I was glad to finish.”
Bobbitt had gone into the final test section 12 seconds ahead of Mike Lafferty. The two riders finished the final 10-mile test in the exact same time which gave Bobbitt the bump for 3rd place. Buttrick came in almost one minute faster in the final test which moved him into 2nd overall while Charlie Mullins took the win.
“Overall, I am pleased to finish on the podium. It is a decent start to the season and I am looking forward to round two which will be near my hometown in Georgia,” Bobbitt remarked after the event.
Next Round: Greensboro, GA – February 21, 2010
Overall Results –
1. Charlie Mullins
2. Cory Buttrick – KTM
3. Russell Bobbitt – KTM
4. Mike Lafferty – Husaberg
5. Nick Fahringer – Husaberg
