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AMA: Ty Davis clinches AMA/Acerbis National Enduro Series title

28 August 1999

     PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- Ty Davis has clinched the 1999 American Motorcyclist

Association/Acerbis National Enduro Series title with two rounds remaining in

the series. His third-place finish at round 13 in Harrison, Mich., builds his

series points lead to an insurmountable 70 points over defending champion

Michael Lafferty.

     Davis, 30, started the season strong by winning the first two rounds, then

turned in consistent top-five finishes at rounds three through six. Davis then

put some points between him and all challengers with three wins in rounds eight

through 10. His closest competition was Lafferty, who struggled in finding

top-three consistency and lost too many points after not finishing round three.

     "This year's series requires consistency," Davis said of the rule change

that counts all 15 rounds for the overall title. "A lot of guys didn't contest

the whole series, so when either Mike (Lafferty) or Randy (Hawkins) didn't do

well, I was able to put some distance between me and them."

     Eight of this year's rounds were two-day events that also served as

International Six Days Enduro qualifiers, and Davis figured the added

competition from more top riders actually benefited his cause. "The two-day

format really worked in my favor," said Davis. "Not only did I do well at them,

but other riders got between me and my closest series competition, increasing my

points lead. If I hadn't done as well as I did at those rounds, the points

spread could easily have gone the other way."

     Although Davis is very pleased with the championship, his racing schedule

is far from over. "I'm glad I got it done when I did," he said of clinching the

title two rounds early. "Now I can concentrate on the AMA National Hare and

Hound Series. I still have a chance to win that, but I have to win the next

two."

     But even the prospect of two national titles isn't enough for Davis, who

leaves in two weeks for the International Six Days Enduro, Sept. 13-18 in

Coimbra, Portugal. Davis will again lead the elite six-rider U.S. World Trophy

team against the world's best off-road racers. "My goal is to be the top

American finisher and be in the top five overall," said Davis. "But the

Europeans are fast, especially on their home turf."

     Davis, of Hesperia, Calif., plans on riding Yamahas again next year, as

part of his sponsorship package from the factory and Montclair Yamaha, a local

dealership. "I'm very happy with the championship," said Davis who now has two

AMA National Enduro titles to his credit. "I gave Kawasaki their first enduro

title in '95, and now I have given Yamaha their first enduro title."

     Round 14 of the series is on Sept. 26 in New Waverly, Texas, with the final

round on Oct. 31 in Delaware City, Del. Lafferty, of Millville, N.J., sits in

second place with 247 series points, well ahead of Randy Hawkins, of Travelers

Rest, S.C., in third with 183. Hawkins is followed closely by Arizona's Destry

Abbott with 171 and Brian Garrahan, of Boulder Creek, Calif., with 126.

     For complete AMA/Acerbis National Enduro Series results, and for other AMA

National Championship Series news and results, log on to the Amateur Racing

section of AMADirectlink at www.ama-cycle.org