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 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.
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).
“The General” Brian Deegan started the 2011 Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series with a strong weekend. The 2010 Lucas Oil Driver of the Year leads the field in points after the first two rounds in the Pro 2 Unlimited Class. Deegan began Saturday with an assertive win in round one of the Pro Lite Unlimited class at the Firebird Raceway in Phoenix, AZ. Deegan held the lead throughout the race with Brandt and Stephensen battling for second and third respectively.
Saturday’s Pro 2 Unlimited class was more of a battle, Deegan got into it with MacCachren on the last lap as they came together when Deegan made the pass three turns from the finish line. In the next turn Deegan’s truck was hit from the rear by MacCachren, causing Deegan’s truck to spin out. Deegan ultimately took his truck to the finish line in the fifth spot. After the race, MacCachren was given a black flag penalty for his collision with Deegan in turn four, costing him a 1 lap penalty.
“It was an exciting race for me to be battling with a guy like MacCachren. its too bad how the day ended up, but things should be all good between us moving forward,” said Deegan.
Sunday’s Pro Lite Unlimited race started off strong for Deegan who shot off the start and led early on until he had some mechanical problems causing him to drop off the pace and nurse the truck home for an 11th place finish. Later that day in the Pro 2 Unlimited Race Deegan took the early lead of the start ahead of Saturday’s winner Bryce Menzie. Deegan led the first 17 laps this time only to suffer handling problems the last 3 laps. Deegan managed to secure a 3rd place finish and his first podium appearance in just his third career race in the Pro 2 class. For the weekend, Deegan led the most laps on Saturday and Sunday of all the drivers totaling 26 laps.
“We came in on Saturday and started the season off completely dominant in the Pro Lite, setting the pace, and winning by a large margin,” said Deegan after the weekend. “On Sunday I was on my way to do the same thing, and had some technical problems with the truck. In the end, I chose to get the truck around the track to savage points, with the end goal being the championship.”
Deegan announced he would donate his winnings from the 2011 Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series, “In the end we were able to raise funds for the Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital, it was a positive weekend,” said Deegan.
Jeff “Ox” Kargola has had a great couple of weeks as he’s coming off a win at the San Felipe 250 and set direction to race him Super Lite in Round 1 & 2 for the Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series in Arizona. Besides from the “shuffling” of cars on the start, OX managed to battle his way and pull up with the rest of the pack in the front. On the restart at the halfway point, Jeff “Ox” Kargola took the lead and never looked back, as he was able to keep his truck hooked up and in control to stay in front! CONGRATS to OX & 1st place podium finish.
“I think I really owe this win to the General Tire Grabbers and the Method Wheels,” he said. “The combo seems to be really working perfectly out here. It’s kind of slick for everyone else, but I’m grabbing, hooking up and taking it away.”
In Pro Buggy Unlimited with the man himself Justin “Bean” Smith, a tight battled ensued at the front of the pack for much of the race. Doug Fortin held the lead for much of the race, fighting off another veteran in Jerry Whelchel as well as Justin “Bean” Smith, who won the championship in the Limited Buggy class last year. Davis was forced to pull off near the end of the race with mechanical issues and was unable to continue. Smith was able to hold on for second place in his first race since stepping up from Limited Buggy.
“I didn’t know what to expect stepping up next to these competitors, but to be on the box the first time out I’m pretty excited about it,” Smith said. “We tried to stay away from the trouble, and there was a little bit in front of us and it helped us out a little bit maybe, but I’ll take it.”
Congrats to the Metal Mulisha team for there great weekend of racing. Rounds 3 and 4 of Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing takes place in Surprise, Arizona on April 16th and 17th.
Metal Mulisha’s Jeff “Ox” Kargola has once again dominated the dirt in Baja, bringing home a well earned victory for the second year in a row in the 5th annual SCORE San Felipe 250 in Baja, Mexico. In November 2009, Ox crashed while pre-running for the Baja 1000, suffering severe injuries which almost took his life. He recovered extremely quickly and was back on his bike a short time later, but this section of the Baja course continued to be a mental block for Ox as he prepared for this year’s 250.
“It feels so sweet to be the fastest bike in Baja again, especially coming back after my accident,” said Kargola. “To win on this course for a second straight year is a testament to our team and how well Jeff and I ride together. Colton and I weren’t expected to finish first this weekend, but we proved all the naysayers wrong. “ Leading the way with teammate Colton Udall, both won the overall Motorcycle class with a time of 4:36:51, averaging 54.63 mph over a some of the roughest terrain in the world.
After passing Kawasaki’s Bobby Garrison on mile 19, Kargola and Udall fought off surges from larger Kawasaki and KTM teams all day, but maintained a steady lead throughout the 252.9-mile race. On the same stretch of Baja course that proved disastrous less than two years ago, Ox again powered through the dangerous desert terrain, then passed off to Udall for the final leg.
Ox and Udall now take the SCORE Motorcycle Class points lead in the as they prepare for the Baja 500 in June.
Results, San Felipe 250 – Motorcycle Class:
1. Colton Udall/Jeff Kargola
2. Shane Esposito/Bobby Garrison/ Steve Hengeveld
3. A.J. Stewart/Bryce Stavron/Donald Stanley/ Kyle Corfman
Jeff “OX” Kargola can definitely prove his skills on a dirtbike. From either desert racing, freestyle motocross, offroad truck racing Ox has definitely done it all. Ox meets up and surfs with our good friend, and legend pro surfer Sunny Garcia in Waimea Bay with 20+ foot surf. You are F_in nuts OX!
The 1st Annual Jeremy Lusk Memorial Ride Day kicked off at Pala Raceway. The turnout was amazing with tons of athletes, family, and fans who all came together to share this special moment showing support for Jeremy Lusk. As everyone gathered around, we all signed a flag in his honor and talked about our memories we had with Jeremy.
After some lunch, everyone geared up and hit the track to put in a solid riding session and ride in the name of Lusk!
“The Lusk Ride Day is a chance to celebrate his life, the good times and having fun in his memory. It’s what Jeremy would have wanted.”
- Brian Deegan
“It’s really cool to get all of Jeremy’s friends and fans together and have a good time doing what he loved. This means a lot to me that he has touched so many people’s lives. Seeing all the people come out to support him, it’s very touching.”
- Lauren Lusk, Jeremy’s widow and founder, In God’s Hands
“This is a day for everyone to come and pay their respects to Jeremy. We want everyone to know that he was our friend and we’ll miss him. It’s nice for everyone to come together and remember Jeremy as a great friend and rider.”
- Ronnie Faisst
“This is a great way to have fun, get all the guys together and have a day in memory of our friend Jeremy Lusk. He would have wanted us to celebrate like this. Later, we’ll kick back and have some Coronas, like he would have done.”
- Jeff ‘Ox’ Kargola
“Being out here, seeing how many people have showed up, shows how respected he was in our industry. Jeremy was a guy I looked up to and respected, he reminded me that riding should always be fun. It’s very cool that we all come out here to celebrate his life.”
- Josh Grant
