Mike Lafferty (born October 25, 1975 [1] ) is an American former motorcycle enduro competitor. He is a multi-time AMA National Enduro Champion. He has been racing at the championship level since 1993 when he won the AMA Regional Championship. Lafferty has won eight AMA National Enduro Championships, which ties the record previously set by Dick Burleson. He has 69 National wins.
Americans are nationals and citizens of the United States of America. Although nationals and citizens make up the majority of Americans, some dual citizens, expatriates, and permanent residents may also claim American nationality. The United States is home to people of many different ethnic origins. As a result, American culture and law does not equate nationality with race or ethnicity, but with citizenship and permanent allegiance.
Enduro is a form of motorcycle sport run on extended cross-country, off-road courses. Enduro consists of many different obstacles and challenges. The main type of enduro event, and the format to which the World Enduro Championship is run, is a time-card enduro, whereby a number of stages are raced in a time trial against the clock.
The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) is an American nonprofit organization of more than 200,000 motorcyclists that organizes numerous motorcycling activities and campaigns for motorcyclists' legal rights. Its mission statement is "to promote the motorcycling lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling." The organization was founded in 1924 and as of October 2016 had more than 1,100 chartered clubs.
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Born in Port Elizabeth, New Jersey, Lafferty has been factory sponsored by manufacturers such as KTM USA, part of KTM, an international manufacturer of on and off-road sporting motorcycles. In 2009, Husaberg North America, a division of KTM Motorsports, Inc. signed Mike to the Husaberg Factory Race Team for the remainder of the 2009 and 2010 season.
Port Elizabeth is an unincorporated community located within Maurice River Township in Cumberland County, New Jersey, United States. The area is served as United States Postal Service ZIP code 08348.
KTM AG is an Austrian motorcycle and sports car manufacturer owned by KTM Industries AG and Indian manufacturer Bajaj Auto. It was formed in 1992 but traces its foundation to as early as 1934. Today, KTM AG is the parent company of the KTM Group.
Husaberg was a manufacturer of enduro motorcycles with four and two-stroke engines, the displacements ranging from 125 cc to 650 cc. Originally based in Sweden, its motorcycles were latter manufactured in Austria by parent company KTM until the line was retired in 2014.
His father, Jack Lafferty, is also known within the sport as a very competitive senior class rider, and for being largely responsible for his son's success since a young age. At regional enduro events, Jack is recognized for his physical longevity and riding skill, both of which he has managed to maintain in spite of his advanced age. He consistently outpaces many younger, healthier riders.
In the US Enduro community, the Lafferty name has become synonymous with the sport. Mike Lafferty in particular, is a well-known figure, respected by the community's constituents. In addition to his factory sponsorships, Lafferty receives product sponsorships from various motorcycle product manufacturers (primarily in an off-road context, but also from manufacturers who make products for on and off-road riding such as tire and clothing manufacturers, or products such as race-fuels and other fluids).
In a motorsport that does not receive much press coverage, and is supported by only a small fan following outside of the participants themselves and their families, there is not a lot of prize money or advertising (spokesperson) contracts. Factory sponsorship in Enduro racing does not include contracts that are comparable to those received by factory riders in motorsports like Supercross. Regardless, a few select riders who have attained the very pinnacle of success in the sport of Enduro on a regular basis have managed to make a good living out of racing in the sport. Lafferty is one of those few.
