AMA: Lafferty, Hawkins battle for top spot in 2000 AMA FMF Racing National Enduro Series
12 May 2000
PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- Young against old. Two-stroke versus four. Two enduro titles compared to six. Break down this year's AMA FMF Racing National Enduro Series title chase and you'll find these characteristics -- and Michael Lafferty and Randy Hawkins, who sit first and second in points -- at odds. Lafferty and Hawkins have won the first four races in the 14-round series. Hawkins, 33, of Travelers Rest, S.C., jumped to an early lead winning the first two rounds, while the 25-year-old Lafferty of Millville, N.J., has won the last two. But by virtue of his third and second, Lafferty leads the championship by 7 points. Numerous contrasts make the title chase especially interesting. Lafferty campaigns a two-stroke factory KTM. He is the brightest of the many young stars who are moving into the American off-road scene. Hawkins is the cagey veteran who's not slowing down. He lays waste to the field on a factory Yamaha four-stroke thumper and wins with the flair of a much younger competitor. Rounding out the top five in series points are David Lykke, of Bellingham, Wash., in third, followed by Matt Stavish of Blaine, Minn., and Brian Garrahan of Boulder Creek, Calif. The series title sponsor FMF Racing has recently been joined by four supporting sponsors, Braking, Clarke, Motion Pro and Sidi. "All four companies have a long history of supporting motorcycle racing in America, and this commitment is clear with their involvement in the AMA FMF Racing National Enduro Series," said Bill Amick, vice president of AMA Sports. "This year's series is shaping up to be one of the finest in recent memory, and our new sponsors will only enhance that." The next stop in the series is May 21 in Kalgary, Texas. The rest of the series schedule follows: 2000 AMA FMF Racing National Enduro Series Rounds 5-14 May 21, 2000 Lubbock Trail Riders, P.O. Box 1012 Lubbock, TX 79408, (806) 797-6716 LOCATION: Kalgary, TX May 27, 2000 (ISDE Qualifier) Enduro Riders Association, 3621 Dempsey Rd Westerville, OH 43081, (614) 891-1369 LOCATION: McArthur, OH May 28, 2000 (ISDE Qualifier) Enduro Riders Association, 3621 Dempsey Rd Westerville, OH 43081, (614) 891-1369 LOCATION: McArthur, OH June 3, 2000 (ISDE Qualifier) Boise Ridge Riders, 3660-B Chinden Blvd Boise, ID 83714, (208)384-5141 LOCATION: Idaho City, ID June 4, 2000 (ISDE Qualifier) Boise Ridge Riders, 3660-B Chinden Blvd Boise, ID 83714, (208)384-5141 LOCATION: Idaho City, ID June 11, 2000 Appalachian Dirt Riders, 35520 Lakeview Rd. Hamden, OH 45634-0502, (740) 384-6379 LOCATION: Wellston, OH June 25, 2000 Rhody Rovers, 1581 Ten Rod Rd. Exeter, RI 02822, (401) 397-3076 LOCATION: W Greenwich, RI July 8, 2000 (ISDE Qualifier) Red River Dirt Riders, 1320 E Windsor Denton, TX 76201, (940) 387-8123 LOCATION: Munster, TX July 9, 2000 (ISDE Qualifier) Red River Dirt Riders, 1320 E Windsor Denton, TX 76201, (940) 387-8123 LOCATION: Munster, TX September 17, 2000 Stumpjumper Motorcycle Club, 9571 Griffith Eaton Rapids, MI 48827, (517) 393-6477 LOCATION: Wolverine, MI