290cc to 450cc four-stroke motorcycles. The E3 class features 290cc to 500cc two-stroke and 475cc to 650cc four-stroke motorcycles.
There have been many great New England riders that have been a part of the U.S. ISDE team in past years. While the ISDE may seem like only a dream to most riders, the level of talent and commitment needed to qualify for a place on U.S. ISDE Club Team is certainly within the grasp of many New England riders if they choose to go after it. In the past four years alone three of the six total qualified riders have been NETRA Hare Scramble grand champions and the other three were NETRA red plate holders.
It takes focus and planning to qualify and then race in an ISDE. What I have learned over the past four years is that there are a lot of people and organizations willing to jump in and help you if you do qualify for the U.S. team. The cost of a typical ISDE is $25,000 for the rider and their required support person to attend. This includes their bike, spare parts, entry fees, insurance, shipping, airfare, hotel and meals. Fund raising and sponsorships will certainly help defray most if not all these costs.
Unfortunately this year no riders from New England attempted to qualify for the U.S. club team. But on a good note there are two New England riders selected to be on the U.S. Junior World Trophy Team. Josh Toth, of Winsted, CT, on a KTM 250 XC-F and Ben Kelley, of Burlington, CT, on a KTM 350 XC-F. This is the second year for Josh being selected and the first year for Ben. Their third teammate is Grant Baylor, of Belton, SC, riding a KTM 450 XC-F. Grant is already a world champion, having won the Junior World Trophy in 2014, and most experienced Six Days rider of the three.
If you haven’t followed an ISDE before I encourage you to do so this year. Online live timing & scoring as well as social media and press will be your best way to follow the U.S. team day by day and also learn more about the event. Links to key online ISDE information.
Let me end this month’s Motley View with this advice. Don’t be afraid to set your sights high and if one of your dreams is riding in a future ISDE then go after your goals! And never forget what a gem we all have in our family based New England Trail Rider Association organization, clubs and events.
ABOUT TRAIL JESTERS
Trail Jesters is a professional and amateur offroad racing team that participates in the AMA Grand National Cross Country series, AMA National Enduro Promotions Group series, New England Trail Rider Association series, J Day Offroad series and the FIM International Six Days of Enduro. Trail Jesters Racing was launched in January 2014 and is dedicated to supporting New England riders as they pursue their dirt bike passion. We sponsor riders that have strong personal character and grit. Sponsorship is by invitation only.
NEWS AND PERSPECTIVE FROM THE TRAIL JESTERS
CLICK HERE FOR ISDE ONLINE RESOURCES