Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/839188
IN THE WIND P58 FOURTH ANNUAL KCF MOTODOFFO FUNDRAISER T he Kurt Caselli Foundation (KCF) has come a long way since its start in January 2014. Born of a desire to improve safety measures for off-road riders and especially racers, it's seen its first goals reached and appears to be well on the way to achieving newer, loftier objectives, all of which would be impossible without money. Being a non-profit organiza- tion, the KCF depends largely on donations along with a couple fundraisers during the year. The 4th Annual Kurt Caselli Foundation MotoDoffo Winery Fundraiser at the Doffo Winery was the latest edition of an effort that's raised more than $622,000 in three years, spin- ning off $315,031 of that amount on program initiatives. As KCF board member Jon- Erik Burleson pointed out, "most of it comes in small little bits and when you add [that] up and do a couple good events and add up those little things, it turns out to be big money." Though too early to determine how much was raised at this one, Damian Doffo, the son of the owner, has seen the fund- raiser take off in its four short years. Reflecting on that, he noted, "And what started out as a small, really grassroots event has really grown. Now, I think with this year, I'd be really sur- prised if we didn't hit the $50K mark today, $50 grand in one afternoon!" That'll go a long way to fund such vital work as the ultrasound ma- chine on permanent loan to the Alpinestars Mobile Medi- cal Unit employed at all AMA Supercross and Pro Motocross races, where it can help identify internal injuries; the Kurt Caselli Memorial Scholarship (two per year, awarded so far to Starr Savage and Rachel Gutish); and continued research into head acceleration and brain injury, among just a few items. "So, we've been working on some initiatives that hope- fully down the road—those are longer-term initiatives down the road four or five years—we can see maybe some technology and maybe some protocols that help make our sport a little bit safer," Burleson says. And while it's impossible to prevent all injuries, reducing their severity and improving treatment will remain in line with the goals of the Foundation, which will continue to rely on the proven generosity of the motorcycle community to achieve them. Mark Kariya Two Kurt Caselli race bikes featured prominently in the Doffo Winery's Moto Barrel Room. Golf pro and rabid moto enthusiast Rickie Fowler donated one of his own bags—autographed, of course—filled with clubs for the on-site raffle. PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARK KARIYA