U.S. ISDE Team Arrives in Brazil

Kit Palmer | October 27, 2003

The following is a release from GNCC Racing:

Forteleza City, Brazil- America’s Team has arrived. America’s best off-road riders spent the weekend in Brazil organizing their assault on the 77th annual International Six Day Enduro (ISDE), which begins Monday, November 3.

The team will build bikes, plan strategy and organize pit stops for the next week. But they’ll have some fun too. “These guys are all having a great time,” said America’s Team Captain Jeff Russell. “There’s a lot to do here, both on and off the track.”

Russell proudly reports all of the team’s bikes, parts and gear made it to Brazil in tact. Other teams, such as the powerhouse French squad, were not as fortunate. Reportedly, their crates will not arrive in customs until next Monday, which effectively eliminates them from contention. Three crates from other teams are reported to be lost at sea.

Wednesday is registration, bikes go into impound on Friday and opening ceremonies are on Saturday.

America’s Team is presented by Parts Unlimited and consists of Rodney Smith, Barry Hawk, Mike Lafferty, Ty Davis, Jason Raines and Mike Kiedrowski. These six riders will compete for the coveted World Team Trophy, which the U.S. has never won. In addition, a GNCC Club Team will compete in the three-man club team division. That squad features Randy Hawkins, Robbie Jenks and Doug Blackwell. Fred Andrews, an original member of America’s Team who had to bow out due to injury, is also in Brazil to help the team in any way he can.

Kit Palmer | Off-Road Editor

Kit Palmer started his career at Cycle News in 1984 and he’s been testing dirt and streetbikes every since – plus covering any event that uses some form of a knobby tire. He’s also our resident motorcycle mileage man with a commute of 120 miles a day.