2013 AMA/Rekluse National Enduro Concho Results
Historic Win For Husqvarna's Andrew DeLong!
[caption id="attachment_24627" align="alignright"
width="300"] Andrew DeLong stayed consistent to put
his FAR Husqvarna TXC310R on top of the podium - Photo: Shan
Moore[/caption]
Attitude made all the difference for Andrew
DeLong at round three of the AMA/Rekluse National Enduro
Series. The Fred Andrews Racing (FAR) Husqvarna carded his
career-first national enduro win at the Concho National Enduro in
Blackwater, Texas, which was also a landmark victory for Husqvarna.
The iconic brand celebrated its first national enduro win in nearly
a decade (the last being Fred Hoess in 2003)! DeLong revealed that
getting his TXC310R on
top of the podium was all about a positive attitude.
"I just had a really good day and had fun," said Andrew, who
started the season with two seventh-place finishes. "There was
really no pressure. The way we went about it was to just go out and
have fun. We were in high spirits the whole day and it seemed to
really pull me through. That was the big difference."
The rocky Texas terrain was a formidable challenge for riders,
including Andrew who had a crash on test three. A stick jammed in
his brake pedal cost him some time but he still pulled off a
fourth-place finish and moved into the overall lead. The
22-year-old also had some excitement on the first test when a deer
joined in the fun.
"The race was held in a hunting preserve," AD explained. "I almost
hit a deer that was running alongside me. It jumped in front of me
and then ran next to me before jumping back into the brush."
[caption id="attachment_24626" align="alignleft"
width="300"] The rocky and dusty Texas terrain was
challenging for the riders, but Andrew DeLong called it "just like
riding in Pennsylvania." - Photo: Shan Moore[/caption]
DeLong managed to avoid any further encounters with the wildlife
and stay consistent throughout the day. By the fifth test, a mere
10 seconds separated the top-five racers. In the end, Andrew kept
it on two wheels and played it safe to take his first-ever national
enduro victory!
"It feels really, really good to get this win," Andrew said. "I was
telling Fred I don't even know if it sank in yet. I race against so
many of my heroes in the national enduros - I've looked up to these
guys for so long, and I can't believe I actually beat them!"
"Hopefully I can carry this momentum and attitude into the rest of
the series and keep moving up," said DeLong, who used his landmark
victory to catapult him into fourth in the championship after three
rounds.
DeLong's wasn't the only Husqvarna on the podium at the Concho
National Enduro. Support rider Nathan Federer took first in the A
250 class while Kelsey Hartem ("Husky Highlight" rider of the week
- Facebook.com/HusqvarnaMotorcyclesNA)
took third in the Women's division.
Source: Husqvarna
Russell Bobbitt And Nick Fahringer Podium At Concho National Enduro
[caption id="attachment_24630" align="alignright"
width="300"] Russell Bobbitt started the day off well
and remained consistent with his times throughout the day for a
second place finish - Photo: Shan Moore[/caption]
Husaberg Factory rider Russell
Bobbitt and fellow Husaberg rider Nick
Fahringer finished second and third overall at the third round
of the AMA National Enduro Series while Factory Husaberg rider
Mike
Lafferty salvaged a sixth place result after bouncing back from
a series of crashes.
Bobbitt started the day off well and remained consistent with his
times throughout the duration of the day to put his Husaberg in
contention for the win. Heading into the final special test, he was
only 21 seconds down from the lead ride of Andrew
DeLong. Bobbitt gave it his all and walked away with the fast
time in the section beating Delong by 15 seconds. Unfortunately, he
was 6 seconds shy of scoring the overall and had to settle for the
runner-up position.
"I felt good all day," remarked Bobbitt after the race.
"Unfortunately, I suffered a couple crashes in the third test
section which cost me a lot of time. I was able to make up a few
seconds in the final two sections but wasn't able to get the win
today."
Fahringer had a poor start to the day after a big crash set him
back in the first test section. From there out, he put in solid
performances and was able to move his Husaberg back into the top
three to finish third overall.
Eight-time National Enduro Champion, Lafferty, also had a rough
start to his day. Like Fahringer, he also suffered a crash in the
first section which cost him a lot of time on the lead riders. He
also struggled in the fourth section with another crash. He was
able to make up time in the third and fifth test sections which
helped him climb back up toward the top five to finish sixth
overall.
Next Event: Forest Hill, LA - April 14, 2013
Source: Husaberg
Charlie Mullins Salvages Points For Championship At Concho National Enduro
[caption id="attachment_24629" align="alignright"
width="300"] Charlie Mullins was able to salvage
valuable points toward the AMA National Enduro Championship after
bouncing back from a mechanical issue - Photo: Shan
Moore[/caption]
Factory FMF/KTM rider Charlie
Mullins was able to salvage valuable points toward the AMA
National Enduro Championship after bouncing back from a mechanical
issue at the third round of the series.
Mullins started the day off well finishing with the second fastest
time at the first special test. He went on to earn the fastest time
in the second test section which put him in the lead going into the
third test. Unfortunately, he suffered a bike issue on the transfer
section between tests two and three. His Factory FMF/KTM Team
worked quickly to get him back in action, but unfortunately, he
showed up at the third test 4 minutes late. He was docked the four
minutes plus the time lost in his section to put him 34th overall
after the end of the third test.
In a remarkable effort, Mullins turned impressive times throughout
the final three test sections to gain back time lost. At the end of
the day he was able to finish eleventh overall to earn 9 points
toward the championship standings. He continues to hold the points
lead as the riders head for the fourth round of the series in
mid-April.
"I was definitely bummed that we had the mechanical issue today,"
stated Mullins. "Once we had it worked out, I knew I needed to ride
as hard as I could to gain each position within reach. I am happy I
was able to get back into point earning positions to earn enough
points to maintain my lead heading to the next round."
KTM support rider, Grant Baylor, had a great day. The young fifteen
year-old was able to ride close to the top five throughout the day
to finish 5th overall. Fellow KTM rider Ian Blythe, also had a
great day finishing 4th overall to earn the top KTM finish for the
weekend.
Next Event: April 14, 2013 - Forest Hill, LA
Source: KTM North America
Concho Overview And Point Standings
2013 AMA/Rekluse National Enduro Concho Image Gallery (Click for full size images)
Overall Results
Event Place | Rider Name | Brand | Class | Row | Number of Checks | Total Time |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Andrew DeLong | HSQ | Pro | 27A | 12 | 46:35 |
2 | Russell Bobbitt | HSB | Pro | 24A | 12 | 46:41 |
3 | Nick Fahringer | HSB | Pro | 25A | 12 | 47:20 |
4 | Ian Blythe | KTM | Pro | 30A | 12 | 47:32 |
5 | Grant Baylor | KTM | Pro | 26A | 12 | 48:27 |
6 | Michael Lafferty | HSB | Pro | 22A | 12 | 48:40 |
7 | Jesse Groemm | YAM | Pro | 33A | 12 | 49:09 |
8 | Josh Weisenfels | YAM | Pro | 37A | 12 | 49:58 |
9 | Brad Bakken | YAM | Pro | 28A | 12 | 51:26 |
10 | Kyle McDonal | HSB | Pro | 29A | 12 | 55:16 |
11 | Charlie Mullins | KTM | Pro | 21A | 12 | 55:17 |
12 | Martin Howell | KTM | A Open | 36B | 12 | 55:21 |
13 | Haydn Franklin | KTM | Pro | 40A | 12 | 55:49 |
14 | Nathan Ferderer | HSQ | A 250 | 42E | 12 | 56:45 |
15 | Zach Ingram | YAM | Pro | 32A | 12 | 56:49 |
16 | Tanner Thomas | KTM | A 250 | 31A | 12 | 58:17 |
17 | Tyler Trammell | KTM | A Open | 44B | 12 | 59:05 |
18 | Cameron Kirkpatrick | KTM | AA TSCEC | 21B | 12 | 60:00 |
19 | Mathew Stavish | HON | A 45+ | 50E | 12 | 60:11 |
20 | Michael Medeiros | KTM | A 250 | 25C | 12 | 60:45 |
Point Standings - Pro Class ( Race 3 of 10 )
- Charlie Mullins - 70
- Russell Bobbitt - 64
- Nick Fahringer - 62
- Andrew DeLong - 58
- Michael Lafferty - 56
- Grant Baylor - 44
- Brad Bakken - 43
- Ian Blythe - 38
- Thaddeus Duvall - 32
- Jesse Groemm - 29