2021 Kurt Caselli Ride Day Recap
Mark Kariya | December 7, 2021
Ninth Annual Kurt Caselli Ride Day Another Success
From left: Eric Yorba, Grant Kawell and Mitchell Owenby each received $2500 scholarships for their continuing educational goals from the Kurt Caselli Foundation, which has awarded over $75,000 in scholarships since the first ones were awarded in 2015.
Photos by Mark Kariya
Now in its ninth edition, the Kurt Caselli Ride Day, Presented by Rocky Mountain ATV-MC, saw hundreds of racing stars, fans, friends and family gather at Fox Raceway in Pala, California, December 4, for a day of fun while continuing to raise funds for the Kurt Caselli Foundation’s (KCF) mission of protecting and supporting the lives of off-road riders. It was, once again, a fitting way to honor his legacy.
Kurt Caselli Foundation staff pose before the annual Memorial Legend Lap.
Among the day’s highlights was the announcement of the most recent scholarship winners: Grant Kawell, Mitchell Owenby and Eric Yorba. Each will receive $2500 to aid in furthering their education. Mark Milson won the one-off Caselli Edition 2021 KTM 350 XC-F, while the Johnny Girroir/Eric Yorba duo topped the Team Challenge ISDE Special Test competition—Girroir the first back-to-back winner of the event.
In the Team Challenge ISDE Special Test, each of 22 Pros was paired with a randomly drawn amateur. Each rider took to the test three times with each team’s score the six total times of both riders. Johnny Girroir and Eric Yorba won overall in 18 minutes, 12 seconds. Brandy Richards (20) and Brian Bolding were 11th in 20:03 while Thad Duvall (5) and CN’s Jesse Ziegler took seventh in 19:30.
A couple dozen vendors as well as food trucks, Husqvarna’s Stacyc demo rides, USMCA (U.S. Motorcycle Coaching Association) instruction for beginners, raffles, plus open riding on the Vet and Pro MX tracks, as well as an extended off-road loop, made for a great time enjoyed by all. While the total amount raised won’t be calculated for some time, it appears to be substantial and will be announced on the KCF website at KurtCaselli.com.
The MotoDoffo/KCF winery event is the next fundraiser on the schedule so mark your calendars for June 11, 2022.
