The 2017 Kurt Caselli Ride Day

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Kurt Caselli was more then just a legendary racer he was a friend and competitor of mine. Kurt and I would race each other a few times a Year when we would cross over into  each other’s world. I might race a WORCS race and he would do a MX Race here and there. I wouldn’t fair as well as he would when switching over. In off road events I had no chance to stay with him but when he raced moto he was on pace which pissed me off.

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I remember standing in the workshop at KTM when Kurt was leaving for the Baja 1000. I told Kurt good luck and he said thanks I have one goal and that’s to bring back that #1 plate. He was so calm and very confident as Kurt seemed to always be. I couldn’t believe the news of the passing of Kurt, I was like no not Kurt I know he is so calculated, so precise, this just could not happen.

The Industry was rocked we are all a big family and when their is a tragedy of this magnitude we rally. I remember the very first ride day like it was yesterday. The support for Kurt’s Family and friends was amazing. The riders from the off road and motocross community came together as one to honor Kurt’s life. The day was an emotional day for all involved but it was something that the motorcycle industry needed to do to honor Kurt.

Shortly after the 1st Ride day the Kurt Caselli foundation was formed. 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. Fast forward 4 years  and the KC66 Ride day is a day to celebrate Kurt’s life and for us to all reflect on what his name and foundation has done for the motorcycle community. The Ride day consists of a day for all riders all ages and abilities to share a day of riding at Glen Helen a place Kurt spent a lot of time at it’s only fitting to have the full Motocross track prepped, a 6 days off road loop and the annual team race where all the pros names are put in a hat then a amateur rider pulls a card where he or she will find out who his or her teammate will be for a race where you have to switch a pair off boxers one lap at a time. This is a very fun race but highly competitive because of the signature KC66 trophy that FMF gives the team keep for a year until we race again. Following the riding and team race there is lap of honor for Kurt where his family and close friends lead the entire group of riders for a lap around Glen Helen. This year I was able to take my oldest son Mason who is now 6 to the ride day so he can understand who Kurt is and what he has done for the off road motorcycle community. Mason has been to a KC66 Ride day with me before but he was in his gear riding on the front of my bike for the lap of honor for Kurt not on his own bike. This year Mason was able to ride his PW50 around the track and experience the overwhelming love we all share for him and what him and his foundation have done.

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Pulling out of Glen Helen with my son I had to reflect on the fact that we were both smiling and laughing and that’s exactly what Kurt would make you do. He would get you out of your comfort zone, make you smile and most of all appreciate the moment. Thank you to everyone involved at the KC66 foundation for keeping Kurt’s legacy shining bright and doing all you do for the motorcycle industry to make it bettter. If you have time please read more about the Kurt Caselli Foundation.

The off road motorcycle industry is like a big Family as they all come out to support Kurt’s foundation and ride day