Nearly $44,000 Raised For The 9th Annual Kurt Caselli Ride Day
A family fun day at Fox Raceway in honor of Kurt Caselli raised nearly $44,000 for off-road safety initiatives and scholarships!
MURRIETA, California (January 6, 2022) — The 9th Annual Kurt Caselli Ride Day presented by Rocky Mountain ATV/MC, KTM USA, FMF Racing, and Fox Racing took place on Saturday, December 4, 2021, at Fox Raceway in Pala, California. The event pays tribute to the great Kurt Caselli and helps raise awareness for the nonprofit organization, The Kurt Caselli Foundation ("TKCF"/" KCF"). Through the gate fee, raffle, silent auction, food, drinks, vendors, sponsors, KCF merchandise, donations, and the bike giveaway, The Kurt Caselli Foundation event proceeds raised nearly $44,000 to continue to fulfill their mission of Protecting and Supporting the Lives of Off-Road Riders.
For 2021, the Caselli Team Challenge took on a new twist with an ISDE-style Special Test competition where riders were given 3 attempts to score their best time. 22 riders are paired up with 22 Pro Riders at random by a drawing at the rider's meeting. Last year's winner, GNCC Factory Gas Gas rider Johnny Girroir and his teammate Eric Yorba added their names to the perpetual Caselli Team Challenge trophy. Team Challenge results are viewable at KurtCaselli.com. In another new event feature, the KCF and the U.S. Motorcycle Coaching Association ("USMCA") partnered to offer free beginner skills classes with USMCA Certified Coaches throughout the day.
Kicking off the afternoon activities, event announcer Dave Arnold invited all riders to join The Kurt Caselli Foundation team on the vet track to show respect in remembrance of Kurt Caselli and come together as a community. The lap is always an emotional part of the day as you can see just some of the people that Kurt made an impact on.
During The Kurt Caselli Foundation presentation, safety team volunteer Rhiannon Kamo announced that with support from sponsors and donors, the Foundation has raised over 1.8 million dollars since its inception in 2013. This funds various off-road motorcycle safety initiatives and scholarships. Over the past year, the KCF has focused heavily on donating Sweep/Medical UTV's along with PCI radio communications and continuing to build upon our medical safety packs for everyday riders as well as full medic/sweep teams to wear at events. Two recipients were awarded the Spring 2022 Scholarship: Mitchell Owenby of Blairsville, GA and Eric Yorba of Alpine, CA. One Fall 2021 Scholarship was also recognized during the presentation. Each recipient will receive $2,500, which will be directly applied to their tuition. The Scholarship application for the Fall 2022 semester is now open, and students may apply at KurtCaselli.com/scholarship. Mark Milson of Apple Valley, CA was selected as the 2021 KTM 350 XC-F winner; the live broadcast was recorded and can be watched at KurtCaselli.com.
The raffle and silent auction concluded the event festivities and featured items donated by the Caselli family such as Kurt's #6 WORCS number plate and race gloves, Kurt's 2013 SCORE Person of the Year Award, among other items donated by sponsors and vendors, including signed jerseys from Adam Cianciarulo and Michael Mosiman, and much more.
It takes a team to make an event of this caliber possible; a huge thank you goes out to the KTM/Husqvarna/Gas Gas employees and their families who volunteer year after year for our annual events. Go to KurtCaselli.com to see photos and video from the event.
About The Kurt Caselli Foundation
The Kurt Caselli Foundation was established in 2013. The focus of the foundation is the safety of riders and racers in the off-road motorcycling industry. While we understand the inherent elements of danger in this industry, we aim to help minimize this danger to the best of our ability. The foundation has a three-part mission that encompasses safety precautions for riders before, during, and after a racing career. Read more at www.KurtCaselli.com.