Jean Turner | December 17, 2019
Industry, fans and friends gathered at Pala Raceway, December 14, for the 2019 Kurt Caselli Ride Day to once again celebrate the life and legacy of fallen racer Kurt Caselli. Typically held the first week in December, the 7th Annual Kurt Caselli Foundation Ride Day was held a week later to allow the Foundation members to travel to Columbus, Ohio the weekend prior for Kurt Caselli’s induction into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. Timing worked out perfectly, since the December 7 weekend saw pouring rain that turned the Pala venue into a mudhole. Conditions on Saturday, December 14 were ideal, partly cloudy and cool with chocolate cake dirt on the multiple motocross tracks and the off-road loop awaiting riders.
Fresh off a win for Team USA at the ISDE, Kurt Caselli’s friend and former teammate Taylor Robert always shows his support at KCF events. Photos: Jean Turner
What has turned into an annual day of fun and giving began six years ago when the off-road industry gathered in mourning for the sudden loss of Kurt Caselli. His death in the 2013 Baja 1000 was a tragedy that rocked the entire two-wheel world, and prompted many to ask, “What can we do to help make motorcycle racing safer?” The day of his remembrance at Glen Helen Raceway in December 2013 sparked the formation of the Kurt Caselli Foundation, an organization dedicated to protecting and supporting the lives of off-road riders.
Kurt Caselli Foundation members Quinn Cody (left) and Donnie Emler Jr. (right) prepare to raffle off a brand new KTM 500 EXC to a lucky winner. Photo: Jesse Ziegler
Since then, not only has the Foundation gone on to provide safety services, equipment, training and improvements to numerous race organizations, but the Kurt Caselli Ride Day has carried on as an annual event. Now held at Fox Raceway in Pala, California, the Kurt Caselli Ride Day is a day for remembering our fallen friend, racer, champion and off-road advocate, and also a fundraiser for the Foundation, which has now raised over $1 million and spent over $700,000 on safety initiatives.
Supercross stars Ryan Morais (left) and Trey Canard (right) came out to have some fun at the Kurt Caselli Foundation Ride Day.
(L-R) Jeff Emig, Nick Wey and Mike Sleeter prepare to face off in the Team Challenge.
Gary Sutherlin (center), Eric Yorba (right) and Sutherlin’s teammate enjoy some post-moto bench racing.
The 2019 Kurt Caselli Ride Day fielded another huge turnout, including a large number of pro riders who signed up to be a part of the “Team Challenge” (which is not a race, as Kurt Caselli Foundation president Donnie Emler Jr. emphasized). In the Team Challenge, pro riders are teamed up with a non-pro by a random drawing, and the teams face off on the vet track for a 20-minute moto, with team members swapping a pair of boxers on every lap.
Notable racers who participated in the race included Taylor Robert, Destry and Cooper Abbott, Noah Kepple, David Kamo, Jacob Argubright, Brandy Richards, Josh Toth, Gary Sutherlin as well as many motocross stars such as Jeff Emig, Trey Canard, Nick Wey, Mitchell Oldenburg and Ryan Morais.
Donning a pair of boxers but only one boot, Team Challenge participants get started by running to the boot pile.
Find your boot and go!
The boxer switch-off doesn’t always go smoothly… which is kind of the point.
Following the always-comical Team Challenge is the Memorial Lap, in which several hundred riders parade around the vet track together following behind the Kurt Caselli Foundation members, including Kurt’s mother, Nancy, his sister, Carolyn and his fiancé, Sarah Jean White.
Kurt Caselli Foundation events have always had the support of KTM, and this year also marked the participation of Honda Motorcycles. Honda not only came out to support the event with bikes and riders, but marked the occasion by donating two Honda Pioneer 1000 side x sides to the foundation, which will be converted into safety vehicles and outfitted with emergency-response equipment.
American Honda’s Chris Cox was proud to present KCF President Donnie Emler with two new Honda Pioneer 1000 side x sides for the Foundation. Photo: KCF
“We’re big believers in the goals of the Kurt Caselli Foundation, and we’re excited to be able to support them with their important work,” said American Honda’s Chris Cox. “Kurt was obviously a great racer and worthy opponent, but more importantly, he was also a good man off the track. I’m sure he would be proud of the achievements made in his name by his family and friends, and we appreciate having the opportunity to be a part of the Riders as First Responders project.”
“Thank you to each and every person that came out to support the Kurt Caselli Foundation at the Ride Day and who help us keep Kurt’s legacy alive each and every day,” said Nancy Caselli. “Also thank you to our board of directors and team who generously donate their time to keep Kurt’s memory alive, plan events like this, and continue to create safety initiatives to make our sport of racing safer. The off-road community is family! Thank you everyone for your support! We couldn’t do any of this without your donations and support.”
Cooper Abbott makes a pass stick on his dad, Destry Abbott.
Along with multiple motocross tracks to choose from, KCF laid out a challenging off-road loop at Fox Raceway. Photo: Jesse Ziegler
It was great to see Trey Canard back in action, sporting the KC66 Team Challenge boxers and all.
SLR Honda’s Tallon Lafountaine doing some bench racing with the Wey family.
Mitchell Oldenburg (left) dukes it out with Jeff Emig (47).
Ryan Morais (116) and Kelsey Abbott (208) putting in the laps.
