Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

(Left) Ty Davis fell to second In the series points after struggling to a flfth-place finish. (Right) KTM·mounted Mike Lefferty took third overall, a single point behind Hines, and trailed the leaders closely all day. (Below) Fonner Netlonal Enduro Champion Steve Hatch had an off day, crashing and Injuring his knee. Hatch did not finish. At the second gas stop, Hines, Hawkins and Mike Lafferty' were all carding six points. Hines had the edge with the smallest of leads, two seconds. Jack Lafferty Jr. had a 7, while Davis, Spence and Smith trailed with an 8. Hatch had a 6, but had to pull out of the race due to a knee injury. "I was riding hard and having lots of fun," said Hatch. "I caught Davis and was really excited when the next thing 1 knew 1 saw air, ground, air and ground, 1 knew my knee was injured right away. With the GNCCs, Hare Scrambles and ISDE coming up, 1 didn't want to risk further injury." With the DNF, Hatch's participation at the remaining National Enduro rounds is questionable. "We at Team Suzuki agreed early in the year to re-evaluate our focus at midyear," explained Hatch. "Rodney Smith won the ISDE Qualifier Series, I'm leading the GNCC series, Rodney's leading the Hare Scrambles series and Randy now leads the Enduro series. 1 may put most of my emphasis on the GNCC and Hare Scrambles series:' Hawkins and Davis also tweaked their knees in the same section but were able to continue. "I crashed several times," said Davis. "] would be racing along, building up confidence when all of the sudden I would be off the course or in a tree:' The afternoon loop had two sections where the club took points from all the riders. Again, the club checked the riders into the sections. The club then checked the riders out of the first section with another tie-breaker check. It is here where you learn that every section counts in an enduro. Hawkins rode the section six seconds faster than Hines. The seconds came at the end of one minute and the beginning of another minute to give Hawkins a one-point lead over Hines and Mike Lafferty. Hawkins scored 1:58 while Hines scored 2:04. Five other riders scored 2s; Mike Lafferty 2:06, Pavis 2:20, Bennett 2:37, Smith 2:43 and Jack Lafferty Jr. 2:50. There were six 3s, and all other riders scored four or more. This put Hawkins in the lead with a score of seven. Both Hines and Mike Lafferty had eight, Jack Lafferty Jr. had nine, and Smith and Davis had 10. After being checked into the last section, it was a flat-out race through more technical terrain to the finish. Hawkins and Hines were the fastest, both dropping four minutes and taking first and second places, respectively. Mike Lafferty and Bennett scored five, which gave Mike a firm hold on third place and moved Bennett into sixth. Davis, Smith, Spence and Jack Lafferty Jr. all scored six. That was good enough to give Jack fourth and Davis fifth for the day. {N Uttle Rhody Enduro West Greenwich, Rhode Island Results: June 23, 1996 (Round 5 of 9) Olle 1. Randy Hawkins (Suz) 11; 2. Kevin Hines (CRE) 12; 3. Mike Lafferty (KTM) 13; 4. Jack Lafferty Jr. (KTM) 15; 5. Ty Davis (!(aw) 16; 6. Kevm Bennett (Hbg) 16; 7. Jerry Madore (Suz) 17; 8. Chris Smith (WERJ 19; 9. Mark SpenO! (Kaw) 19; 10. Richard Lafferty (KTM) 20; 11. Dave Gunn (KTM) 20; 12. Fred Hoess (Suz) 21; 13. Paul Milliken (KTM) 21; 14. R. White (Hon) 22; 15. J. Caye, (Hon) 22; 16. Mike Slechta (CRE) 22; 17. Da....ll Szachetka (Kaw) 22; 18. Rick Oaxton (Hon) 22; 19. ua;g Cossaboon (!(aw) 24; 20. James Kelly (Hus) 24. O/A A: Jerry Madore (Suz) 17. 125 A: I. K. Howley (KTM) 27; 2. K. Clark (TM) 31; 3. H. Neff (KTM) 33. 200 A: 1. D. Sdachetka (Kaw) 22; 2. P. Stevens (Kaw) 34; 3. H. Whipple (Kaw) 36. ZSO k 1. D. Gunn (KTM) 20; 2. F. Hoess (Suz) 20; 3. P. Milliken (K'rM) 21. OPEN A: 1. M. Slechta (CRE) 22; 2. B. Si,onen (KTMJ 34; 3. E. Sweets'e, (ATK). FIS Ie 1. B. Atkinson 25; 2. J. Mitchell (Hon) 27; 3. J. Burleson (!(aw) 35. VET Ie 1. M. ParkO'S (KTM) 29; 2. T. Vella (Hon) 30; 3. S. Reed (!

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