On April 29th, 2011, we lost our friend and fellow Metal Mulisha team rider, Jeff “OX” Kargola from injuries suffered from a crash in Baja, Mexico. His life, although short, was one to be admired. The Jeff “OX” Kargola fund is being created in his memory to carry his spirit on forever.
Donations made to the fund will help to improve hospital conditions and, in turn, increase other riders’ chances of surviving from accidents sustained south of the border. Out of tragedy comes hope.
Please check back at a later date to learn more information on how to donate.
Over the weekend Metal Mulisha head out to Glen Helen CA, for the Round 5 & 6 of the Lucas Oil Offroad Racing Series. From our Friday Practice and Qualifying post and a promising update for the Mulisha Fans, Saturday and Sunday held a weekend tribute in remembrance of Jeff Ox Kargola.
Ox was a serious competitor and athlete on both two wheels and four, and he took his first Lucas Oil Off Road Series victory in the Super Lite category just this season, back in Round 2 at Firebird along side his teammates Deegan & Bean. Ox, along with teammate Colton Udall, also took the overall motorcycle victory at the prestigious SCORE San Felipe 250 desert race back in March, and looked to have a long and bright future in motorsports. Sadly, Ox passed away after a crash in the Rip to the Tip motorcycle ride last month, and today, the crowd was filled with shirts honoring his memory.
Chaplain Steve Hanson, Cameron Steele, and General Tire’s Dana Zamalloa all come to the podium to pay their respects and help the crowd remember the wonderful life of this young man, with Zamalloa presenting Steele with the special watch Ox would’ve been given by General Tire, the highest award given by General Tire, in honor of his wins. A short film was then shown to the entire audience, commemorating Ox’s life, after which the crowd chanted in unison, “we love you Ox!” Ox’s smiling face and tremendous competitive spirit will be sorely missed by everyone; ride in peace Ox!
Shortly after the emotional and amazing tribute for Ox, the it was time to fire up the engines and get the Super Lites staged and ready to go for the kick off of round 5. Metal Mulisha teammate and close life long friend to Ox, Trigger Gumm was taking it to the track in memory of Ox.
Both Saturday and Sunday Trigger went out there and tore up some laps roosting dirt and clearing sections with some serious speed for all the LOORRS Glen Helen fans.
Cameron Steele and Chris Brandt started at the head of the field on sunday’s Pro Lite Unlimited race. Close behind came Rodrigo Ampudia with Deegan having everyone in his sights. Deegan right off the line, smoked everyone and moved up to third on lap two. Ampudia, and LeDuc were all hounding Steele for second place, and Deegan finally got by to take over second spot.
Ampudia and LeDuc also got by on the following lap, and on the lap after that, with the competition yellow less than a lap away, Jacob Person put Steele down to sixth as he moved his Pro Lite up to fifth. Before he could get to the competition yellow, Steele pulled into the hot pits, and though he was able to re-join with what appeared to be a new left rear tire, he had been dropped to the back of the pack. Up front, Deegan was now really putting the pressure on Brandt, and on the following lap, he pushed Brandt wide to take the lead in turn four.
Brandt and LeDuc were really battling now, and after LeDuc just touched Brandt on the backside as the two pounded through the rhythm section, it took an incredible save by Brandt to avert what would’ve been a nasty rollover. This gave Deegan a nice comfortable pocket and he gunned the Mulisha Pro Lite to the finish taking 1st place! NICE WORK DEEGAN!
After the race Deegan cooled off in the hot pits next to his 900HP Pro 2 Unlimited #38 Rockstar/Makita Ford alongside Carl Renezeder on the front row.
Rolling past the finish line and taking it to full throttle Deegan ran one-two at the end of lap one, followed by Rodrigo Ampudia, Robby Woods, Greg and Adler.
On the restart lap, Rob MacCachren made his bid for a top five spot, having spun himself out in the early going, which forced him back to last place. MacCachren dove down the inside of Deegan and forced him wide at turn two, which helped Deegan bump side to side with Woods.
As those two collected, a pile-up ensued as several other drivers were caught up in their collision. Deegan pulled out of the “mess” and put the heat back on the track. He seriously light up the track moving quick, pounding his truck threw the woops. He charge through the pack and managed to pull it all the way back into forth.
Deegan had one hell of a Pro 2 race and the upcoming race at Miller Motorsports Park Utah is going to be a full out war.
Hailie Deegan wasn’t the only Deegan out in the dirt this weekend. Hailie had some solid lines and moved into some advancing positions.
Along side Hailie was Brooke Kawell, and known for running fast times. Both these Mini Troops are advancing in the series and have nothing but assurance that they will smoking half the boys again this year! Hailie and Brooke put up a solid race in there Kart’s and is is ready for more action for the next race in Utah.
In the Pro Buggy Unlimited’s Justin “Bean” Smith went to war on the track in the name of Metal Mulisha. Bean was having some issues with his ride on Saturday but Sunday was D-Day and Bean had insane battle. Bean was in the #19 Metal Mulisha/Competitive Metals AlumiCraft buggy up against Porter on lap two, and after Holmes was a little slow out of turn two, Bean also got by to pick up fourth spot on lap four.
Bean then had a great run through the rhythm section on the next lap, and he used his momentum to close down on Porter and make the pass in turn three. At the white flag, it was Whelchel, Bean, Holmes, Davis, and Bailey in the top five, with Davis having just lost his right rear tire. Bean launched pass the finish and finished up on the podium in 2nd place. Nice work Bean!
La Jolla Group CEO Toby Bost fired up his Limited Buggy in the middle of the pack along side with Curt Geer, Geoffrey Cooley, Fitzgerald fourth, and Zac Hunt fifth.
Tucker got his #377 General Tire/Kar Tek buggy up to second on lap two, while up ahead, Geer had already opened a small cushion over those behind. Bost held it together and battle his way up through the race and really put his Limited Buggy to the test. He got caught up in a corner and pushed his way back up into the pack finishing the race in 11th.
The next race for Bost will be at Miller Motorsports Park, Utah which is a favored track of his so get ready to see Bost push his way up to the podium.
Last Wednesday held a traditional Hawaiian paddle out at the San Clemente pier in memory of the recent tragedy and loss of Jeff Ox Kargola. You can check out the last weeks blog and also have the chance to scroll threw the Jeff Ox Kargola photogallery if you didn’t get a chance to see it yet. The paddle out served as a final goodbye to Ox as hundreds of friends, family, and the local community came to support and pay respects to Ox. Check out the paddle out video we put together to remember our good friend, family member and one of the greatest athletes around.
Metal Mulisha will be at Glen Helen, CA this weekend racing in the Lucas Oil Offroad Racing Series. To commemorate the life Jeff “Ox” Kargola, Glen Helen Raceway will have a special opening ceremony that will begin at 2 p.m this Saturday. The SuperLite Championship Round 5 main event will immediately follow the tribute.
In honor of Jeff “Ox” Kargola hundreds of friends, family, fans and locals gathered Tuesday and Wednesday in San Clemente in the remembrance of Ox. Tuesday’s gathering was held at the historic San Clemente Casino after Jeff’s service and funeral. Family and friends all had the chance to say something about Ox and everyone watch the first viewing of the Jeff Ox Kargola tribute video.
Wednesday held a traditional Hawaiian paddle out at the San Clemente pier in his memory. Organized by longtime friend and surfing legend Sunny Garcia, the paddle out served as a final goodbye to Ox.
A prayer on the beach was said for Ox and the blowing of the conch shell followed as the large group of supporters began to paddle out to the end of the San Clemente pier and formed a circle. Everyone held hands, and a prayer was recited for Ox.
As the prayer finished a helicopter flew above, releasing thousands of rose peddles as they scattered across the waters of San Clemente. The emotional feeling was felt across the beach and water as flowers and lei where thrown in remembrance of Ox.
The turn out was amazing and Jeff Ox Kargola will be truly missed. Please take a moment and look, upload, and share your photos in the Jeff Ox Kargola Paddle Out photogallery. We also will have an amazing video of this day to release soon.
We would like to thank all the Metal Mulisha family and friends from around the world that gave all the kind words, love and respect to the loss and tragedy of Jeff Ox Kargola. Jeff touched each and everyone’s heart in a special way. Jeff was a individual that always gave 110% of effort in each and every talented skill he had from Freestyle Motocross, Surfing, Offroad Truck Racing, and racing in Baja. Family, friends, and fans from around the world, send in thousands of videos and photos to help contribute and create Ox a tribute video of his amazing life. Please take a moment and check out the legacy of Ox. You can also upload some of your personal photos of Ox in our Remembering Jeff Ox Kargola photogallery.
If you are following us on Facebook or Twitter we would be pumped to share the Ride In Peace logo with all of you and add it to your profile picture.
We want Jeff Ox Kargola to be remembered as a friend, family member and one of the greatest athletes ever. He was never one to back down from any challenge life had to offer him–on or off the track, surfing, Baja racing or truck racing. To Jeff, there was never a question of there being any consequences, especially doing something he loved.
Boost Mobile sent over this great tribute video to share with everyone in honor of Ox.
His drive, love, passion and commitment drove him to become the best rider of his time. Jeff will always be part of the Mulisha family, and his memory will continue to push our group of friends to the outer limits of life.
Jeff touched so many people around the world, and we would like you to upload some of your photos with Jeff and we look forward to seeing and hearing from those who were fortunate enough to meet him.
Please keep the warm thoughts, comments and prayers coming…they’re very much appreciated. God bless and Ride In Peace Ox.
Today while riding with friends and family outside of San Felipe, Jeff “Ox” Kargola crashed while riding his dirt bike. Jeff was attended to by medical personnel on site and was transported via helicopter to the San Felipe hospital where he passed away due to his injuries.
He passed early this afternoon with his best friends Cameron Steele, Ryan Hagy, Chad Peebles, Ryan Cropley, Rich Niggemann, Mark Moss and Trigger Gumm.
“Words can’t express the emotions I am feeling. I love Jeff like a son and he was riding with all of his best friends he grew up with in San Clemente,” said Cameron Steele.
More information will be released soon on arrangements for Jeff.
The Monster Energy Rip to the Tip presented by General Tires takes on Mexico’s Baja Peninsula, with 30 riders looking to try and attain the ultimate goal of the “Full Pull.” The Full Pull requires riders to achieve every mile of the plotted trail, as led by Rip founder Cameron Steele, who is a second generation Baja racer and winner of the Baja 1000. From sand washes, beaches, mountains and cactus filled single track, the bikes and their riders will have to battle all of the elements to ride into Cabo San Lucas and realize their goal of “ripping” to Lands End.
Cameron Steele, Jeff Kargola, Ryan Hagy & Trigger Gumm will be facing 8 grueling days, 1376 miles, in projected temperatures and conditions, ranging from 35 degrees and snow to potential 100+ degree days in the middle of the Baja Peninsula throughout the ride. Riders will start some days waking up at 4am, getting on the bikes before sunrise and then finish other days as late as 2am. Sleep deprivation and the constant grind over 8 days can really take its toll on the group.
Day 1: The riders have made it to the fuel/dinner stop at Valle Trinidad. Everyone is okay but today’s first portion of the ride wasn’t without it’s hardships. Three riders weren’t able to make it up ‘The Summit’ due to exhaustion and dehydration. Among the three riders were two Honda executives brought on the ride with Johnny Campbell and Pat Dailey. All three bikes were loaded onto the Honda buggy and riders strapped in for the remainder of today’s ride. One of the Honda executives was so dehydrated that our crew had to start an I.V., he is okay now and resting at the dinner stop in Valle Trinidad. This goes to show you the true beating Baja can throw your way, harsh trails and extreme heat are a battle tough for anyone to overcome. Riders still aren’t done for the night as they have more miles to log in before they can call it a night for Day 1 of the 2011 Rip to the Tip. Both Pat Dailey and Honda executives have decided to put their bikes on the trailer for the remainder of today’s ride. Their bikes will be trailered to the next destination where riders will rejoin tomorrow for Day 2.
Check out the latest video with Brian Deegan, Justin “Bean” Smith, & Jeff “OX” Kargola racing at Speedworld Off Road Park in Surprise, AZ, as the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series for Round 4 of the 2011 season.
Pro-Lite Saturday
Friday Deegan qualified 1st
Inverted to 4th/2nd row outside on start of race Saturday
Moved to passed Corey Sisler and Cameron Steele to 2nd position on turn 2
Moved back to 3rd on Mandatory caution
Passed Corey Sisler to take over 2nd position
Maintained 2nd to end of the race
Pro2 – Saturday
Friday Deegan Qualified 11th in the Pro2 Class
Starts 11th Saturday
Moves through pack up to 6th position first half of the race
6th Position on Mandatory Restart
Moved passed Naughton to take 5th on first lap
Race red flagged
Restart in 5th position
Capitalizes on Bryce Menzies mistake in turn 2, takes 4th position
3 laps remaining
Marty Hart engine trouble/Deegan moves past to claim 3rd position
Finishes 3rd
Pro-Lite Sunday
Takes lead on first lap
Walks away from the pack
On mandatory caution Chris Brandt closes in on Deegan’s bumper
Deegan holds his position until the last turn for a neck to neck 1st place finish
Pro2 Sunday
Deegan’s transmission breaks in qualifying, automatically placing him at the back of Sunday’s main event.
Deegan battles up to 7th position and maintains until the mandatory caution
Maintains 7th positon to another full course caution
First lap on turn 2 major pile up causes Deegan to move back to finish in 11th position
This Sunday, April 3rd at 9:00pm (pst) a brand new episode of West Coast Customs will be featuring Jeff OX Kargola and his General Tire truck! Check out all the work and how sick they decked out OX’s ride! Make sure to tune in on the HDTV channel on Sunday 4/3 at 9pm/11pm CST (channel 281 for Directv).
Ox, along with teammate Colton Udall, also took the overall motorcycle victory at the prestigious SCORE San Felipe 250 desert race back in March, and looked to have a long and bright future in motorsports. Sadly, Ox passed away after a crash in the Rip to the Tip motorcycle ride last month, and today, the crowd was filled with shirts honoring his memory.
