Trail Rider Magazine

Did the high expectations and pressure of a factory ride get to him? Once he got back in to form, it was too little too late; the damage was done and he was dropped from the factory squad. With nothing to lose and a lot to prove, it is entirely possible Nick can win the series. The Case Against Nick Fahringer - While he flirts with moments of greatness, he hasn't put together a complete season. He tends to start the Nick Fahringer season slowly and build momentum and speed throughout the year. Nick will also be contesting the OMA series in addition to the National Enduros. Once again, more races means more chance of injury. The Case for Charlie Mullins - Charlie Mullins is probably the most versatile rider East of the Mississippi River. He has won both GNCC and National Enduro titles and has the best chance of winning both in the same year. He is also the only guy that can win the series on a four-stroke. This year's schedule may play to his favor, as there aren't as many races with "super tight", four stroke boiling single track. The Case Against Charlie Mullins - As well as Mullins rides the 4-stroke, it's not the right tool for the job. While there are some faster venues that may favor a four-stroke, the lighter, quicker 2-stroke is generally the weapon of choice for the National Enduros. Yes, I know that he won his National Enduro Championship on a four- stroke YZF 450, but most of the competition still hadn't sprained their ankles jumping off the 4-stroke bandwagon yet. Given the intensity of both seCharlie Mullins ries, the risk of injury goes up markedly as evident by Mullins, Buttrick and Baylor getting hurt last year. And if I had to guess, I'd wager that most of Charlie's focus is on the GNCC's. With that in mind, can he win the series? Without a doubt. I just think he wants a GNCC championship more. 66 Trail Rider So with the above factors to consider, how do we see the season shaking out? Well, it will largely boil down to consistency and avoiding injury. With the competition as tight as it is, I don't see anyone being completely dominant. The 2013 champion may not be the guy who wins the most races, but the guy who lands on the podium the most. Here's how we see it shaking out. 1) Russell Bobbitt - Enduros are (literally) Russell's bread and butter. I think there is an argument to be made that when Russell is firing on all eight cylinders, he goes though the tight Enduro terrain faster than anyone else. Bobbitt was so dominant coming off a disappointing 2010 that he basically annhilated the completion in 2011 before getting hurt and allowing Mullins to catch up. He still managed to earn the 2011 championship in a pressure cooker final round. I expect that same situation to unfold in 2013. Being back on a PDS bike will only help. Bobbitt's back for 2013. We call it. .. 2) Mike Lafferty - He's right there. He's as fast as everyone else and good at avoiding injury. He isn't running two series like his competition, and that will help his cause. If he stays consistent, he will be there at the end. 3) Nick Fahringer - Nick has nothing to lose and everything to gain - it's kinda like playing with house money. How bad do you think Fahringer would like to get his old job back? Regardless, it's time to infuse a little consistency into that deep pool of talent. 2013 is go time for Fahringer. 4)Steward Baylor - Boy I struggled with this one! I have to wonder how being sidelined for the entire off season will affect the Champ's early season? Will he even make the first round? And what about running the GNCC's in addition to the National Enduro's? I think the GNCC's are more intense and by extension, the associated risks are greater than the OMA's that Bobbitt and Fahringer will contest. Will his style evolve away from the ragged edge into something a little more composed? There are lots of unknowns going in to 2013 for the upstart champion. I predict that Steward Baylor wins multiple championships throughout his career, but hindsight reveals 2013 as a learning year. He is still so young, imagine how scarey he is going to be in a year or two? Yikes! 5) Charlie Mullins - Rides that 4-stroke for all it's worth but realizes it's the wrong tool for the job. Meanwhile, he edges Paul Whibley for the GNCC Championship. . From our perspective, it's possible that any one of the top 5 picks can come away with the 2013 championship. Each will require a little luck, but the winner will be the one that keeps it on two wheels while maintaining his motivation and consistency. The opening round is only a few weeks away! www.TrailRider.com

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