KTM's media release on the loss of Kurt Caselli
Monday 18 November: KTM reports with great sadness that American KTM factory rider Kurt Caselli died as the result of injuries sustained in a crash while competing in the SCORE/Baja 1000
Kurt, part of the Factory FMF/Bonanza Plumbing/KTM team competing in
this desert
race, was in a leading position when he suffered a crash
that resulted in severe head trauma. He died of his injuries in
Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico.
The team, who have now
recovered Kurt's bike discovered traces on the machine that indicate he
had collided with some animal, which apparently caused the crash.
Kurt,
30, was an accomplished American offroad and desert rider but he had
also made a successful transition to international rallies for the KTM
Factory Team. He was admired and respected in racing circles for his
skill, natural talent and exemplary sportsmanship far beyond the borders
of his home country. While Kurt was one of the most popular figures on
the KTM team, he was also an unmatched role model for young riders and
fans.
Passionate about his sport, he had multiple consecutive
championships in WORCS and National Hare and Hound racing and had been
the lead rider for the USA International Six Days Enduro team for the
past ten years. In January 2013, Kurt was drafted into the official KTM
Rally team to ride in the Dakar Rally, replacing his friend and factory
teammate Marc Coma, who was injured. Kurt’s debut ride in the 2013 Dakar
Rally was impressive. He was subsequently given a permanent spot on the
KTM Rally team and was preparing to contest the Dakar 2014 and the FIM
World Cross Country Rallies Championship in the coming season.
Pit Beirer, Head of KTM Motorsports: "Today
we lost a KTM hero in the worst possible circumstances. We are shocked
and saddened by this tragic news and our thoughts and deepest
condolences go out to Kurt’s family. Kurt was much more than a very
talented rider; he was also an exceptional team player. He represented
and lived by the values and a passion for racing that lies at the very
core of KTM. Our sport has lost more than a great rider; we have also
lost an excellent ambassador for offroad racing.”
Jon-Erik Burleson, President of KTM North America: ”We
at KTM can't put into context the loss everyone in the motorcycling
community is experiencing. Beyond his racing successes and talent as a
rider, Kurt was above all else a core member of our greater off-road
family that simply can't be replaced. Kurt inspired the KTM family to
keep pushing the limits of racing. He was the driving force behind our
renewed efforts in Baja, Hare & Hound and the International Six Days
Enduro. His work ethic, attitude and graciousness will never be
matched.”
Antti Kallonen, Factory FMF/KTM Team Manager: "The
loss of Kurt is immense to the sport, our team and to our family. Kurt
has been on KTM his entire professional career. Even in the early years
he brought something special to the off-road environment by bringing a
leadership role like no other. He had the uncanny ability to bring a
team together for efforts big and small. Professional motorcycle racing
is always considered an individual sport, but Kurt made it a team sport.
Whenever there was an opportunity to lead, help, inspire, advise or
coach Kurt went into it like he went into a race—completely prepared,
completely confident and knowing he could win. Kurt was the most
galvanizing force I’ve ever seen. Those who knew him were lucky. Those
of us who got to work with him were blessed”.
Kurt Caselli
will be deeply missed by the entire KTM family, his teammates, his
fellow competitors and by his fans all over the world. At this time of
acute sadness, the KTM management and the entire KTM international
family extend their heartfelt condolences to the Caselli family.