GODSPEED KURT

[SHLEPY]

  Looks like new lost another great,good luck to you Kurt Caselli.

[Charlie500]

I walked into my office and seen an article on Facebook about it... I'm absolutely devastated! This guy was a one of my heroes! I can't believe my eyes!!!!

http://www.motoxaddicts.com/2013/11/15/rip-kurt-caselli-baja-1000-claims-kurts-life/

[TJXK]

Would it be possible to stage a race similar to that in the States so it could be a little more closely monitored?  It's pretty messed up this happened due to shenanigans.

[USMC 500]

I've been speaking with all my buddies down south........I am completely devestated at the fact that I've lost another friend to the sport I love so much.  My pain is my selfish burden and mine to bear.....I can't be sad for Kurt because he is now racing in the sky and is reunited with his dad.  I'll miss you greatly my friend.

[flem469]

A great loss to the off-road community.

[USMC 500]

Would it be possible to stage a race similar to that in the States so it could be a little more closely monitored?  It's pretty messed up this happened due to shenanigans.

Let me clear the rumor.......I have very, very "inside" information and I am telling you all that Kurt passed away, but it had nothing to do with a booby trap or any other man made infuence.  I am not able to give specific details but I do swear to this very fact.  Kurt passed away while racing (pulling a lead on the Honda boys) and the cause of his death had nothing to do with a booby trap.

everyone please be safe out there and continue to enjoy riding.  Even though Kurt was paid to ride he always used to tell me that everyday he wakes up all he wants to do is go for a ride......

[motopunk]

Would it be possible to stage a race similar to that in the States so it could be a little more closely monitored?  It's pretty messed up this happened due to shenanigans.

Let me clear the rumor.......I have very, very "inside" information and I am telling you all that Kurt passed away, but it had nothing to do with a booby trap or any other man made infuence.  I am not able to give specific details but I do swear to this very fact.  Kurt passed away while racing (pulling a lead on the Honda boys) and the cause of his death had nothing to do with a booby trap.

everyone please be safe out there and continue to enjoy riding.  Even though Kurt was paid to ride he always used to tell me that everyday he wakes up all he wants to do is go for a ride......
[/quote



booby trap or no booby trap... the fact is that any rider, that dies at a race, is one to much... safety first, but fails are possible and could happen to anyone...
its very sad, that this bad accident is happen. someone would like to try to turn back the wheel of time, but unfortunately no one could do it...

kurt caselli starts now at the neverending race in the sky..
and we all will keep this great rider in our hearts.
rest in peace kurt... 

[TJXK]

the cause of his death had nothing to do with a booby trap.

It's horrible he died, but I'm glad this wasn't the reason why. 

[KevinTwoStk]

I was never able to meet him, but I did get to see him ride at the 29 Palms Big 6 GP this year. Smooth...fast...and yes, as others have said, he made it look easy.

This is a terrible loss. Godspeed, Kurt. You are missed by those who knew you, as well as those who knew of you.

[USMC 500]

There are talks within SCORE happening right now......Roger Norman owner of SCORE is considering taking the motorcycles out of competition for safety reasons.  Many people have their opinion of this.  Every opinion is valid.  There are those who say that racing motorcycles down there is too risky and should not be allowed.......There are those who say that the reason they race the Baja is for the challenge of racing such a legendary event against all the different factors and risks involved.  And you have all the different  opinions in between these two extremes.  Racing is dangerous and this is something that all racers have accepted. 

2 years ago I was having a conversation with Kurt and he was telling me how he couldn't wait to go racing in Baja.  He was in love with the challenge of going down there and being amongst some of the greatest racers in history to race Baja.  He was aware of all the factors with racing Baja and accepted the risks.  Kurt has accomplishments in every discipline of dirt bike racing......from Motocross to Endurocross, from ISDE to Grand Prix's, and from Rally racing to Baja.....there was nothing left for him to dominate.  He had no "unfinished" business and went doing what he loved to do everyday.  Kurt was racing in Baja because he wanted it......not because he was a racer and KTM made it his job.


His family and friends are doing well considering the situation.........I've spoken with many people and they are starting to make peace with the situation.  I'd like you all to keep certain people in your prayers

Nancy, his mom
Sarah, his fiancé
Anthony, his friend and mechanic

and especially his teammate Ivan Ramirez............Ivan is a good friend of mine and the one who found Kurt on the race course.....Ivan is going through some rough times right now.

I thank you all and again, be safe out there when enjoying this sport we love so much.

[don46]

I had the honor to meet Kurt 5 years ago at a hillclimb at the Glen Helen Raceway park, a very down to earth guy willing to help anybody. He was having a very good time doing what he liked best.... ride his motorcycle. He will be missed for sure

I too had very reliable information that indicated it was not a booby trap, but that he had hit some animal that was evidently in the raceway.

I don't think he would want to have the motorcycles omitted because of this tragedy, as Oscar said most riders do it for the Challenge. Other events such as the Isle of Mann of the Dakar rally are events that challenge man and machine, thats why riders want to participate.

[ELRUKO]

Vaya con Dios Kurt.  Go with God.  Thats how they say it in Baja.   Riding in Baja for 30 years now has been a wonderful experience.  But, it has its risks, its the wild west.  You are on you own.  Do like the Mexicans is a survival secret.  This is terrible tragedy.  Untimely that the helo just went off station to re-fuel.  Kurt was riding like the wind to get their first Baja 1000 win.  After playing catch-up for 500 miles riding in the dust of 1X, he was in the lead!  I saw a overhead photo of the area, it was flat and straight.  There was a bunch of 6" high bushes along the course.  They think he hit a horse or cow at speed.  I have watched Kurt race at the H & H Nationals for the last several years.  I have been at the end of the bomb run to see him go by.  His speeds were unreal, 80-90 mph.  I saw the start for the Baja qualifing trial, 1st thru 5th over the jump out of sight and pinned, never backing off.  Though I didn't know Kurt personally, This really hurts.  He has a lot of friends.  Que Dios te Bendiga.   Elruko

[TJXK]

http://motocross.transworld.net/1000155119/features/ama-statement-passing-kurt-caselli/

Here's an article by Transworld that includes a statement by KTM. 

"The team, who have now recovered Kurt’s bike discovered traces on the machine that indicate he had collided with some small animal, which apparently caused the crash."

[Motorrad]

Honda snipers

[motopunk]

the updated article:
http://www.motoxaddicts.com/2013/11/15/rip-kurt-caselli-baja-1000-claims-kurts-life/#comment-20828

now comes my question, where is the little animal??  at this hard crash at topspeed it is quiet impossible to resist for any animals or humans...    this kind of crash could happen to anyone . the risk is always there...

i think the baja 1000 crew should be thinking of make some things a little bit safer for the bikes... track layout etc...
   taking off the bikes out of the baja 1000 would be like eating a cheeseburger without cheese...
accidents are sad, but they could happen anytime to anyone.




20 years ago i crashed on our mx-track with a rabbit, that unfortunaly was running into the spokes of my frontwheel... my big luck were the bushes beside the track, that gave me a soft landing ...