Matthews, IN, Oct. 14, 2012 – Steward Baylor wrapped up the 2012 AMA Rekluse National Enduro title with one round remaining on the schedule after claiming his sixth win of the season at the Muddobbers National Enduro – round nine of the series in Matthews, Indiana.
Baylor came into the Indiana race with a commanding lead in the series point standings, the Fly Racing/RidePG.com/Genuine Dirt Racer/WP Racing USA-backed KTM rider needing only to finish ahead of eight-time champ Michael Lafferty to clinch the title.
When all was said and done, Baylor topped the day’s results by 39 seconds to secure the victory, while Husaberg teammates Nick Fahringer and Lafferty finished second and third, respectively.
Lafferty pushed Baylor hard during the early going, finishing just a second off the South Carolina rider’s pace in test one, but Baylor was able to put 20 seconds on Lafferty in the second test and from there he stretched his lead in each of the following tests.
Fahringer, on the other hand, started slow but came on strong at the end, winning the final two tests of the day to edge Lafferty for the runner-up position.
Rory Mead finished a surprising fourth on a WMR KTM, riding in just his second enduro. The New Zealander is a regular on the GNCC circuit, but adapted quickly to the new format of the national enduro series.
New Jersey KTM rider Jesse Groemm won the opening test of the day and was in the hunt for a podium until a crash in the final test dropped him to fifth for the day.
AirGroup Radiant Racing’s Shane Hufford turned in one of his best performances of the year for a sixth, the Pennsylvania rider looking particularly good in the slippery conditions.
Grant Baylor, Steward’s younger brother, was seventh overall in his first Pro race, while KTM riders Zach Klamfoth, Hunter Williams and defending series champ Russell Bobbitt rounded out the top 10. Bobbitt explained after the race that he spent most of the race trying to sort out handling problems.
The AMA Rekluse National Enduro Series wraps up its 2012 schedule with its final round in Stanton, Alabama on November 4th. For more information on the race or the series go to www.nationalenduro.com.
