that he has to venture off to England and Tokyo to name a few. Garrett also play rides Ocotillo Wells many times each year. But he tells me a little about why he loves to race. “I race because I love the thrill of going fast and pushing myself to take my motorcycle through canyons and up mountainsides. I enjoy sports I can do on my own rather than as a team.” He came back from the Summer break leaving behind his novice status and picking up his yellow bar! Andrew Vandenberg is our newest member to the team. He’s an electrician out of the Orange County area. In the last year, Andrew holds 30 first place finishes and four #1 plates in the Desert, Grand Prix, Enduro, and Best of the West Series. Andrew began riding when he was 5 years old and now runs in the open Lightweight II class. He is a bold young man in what I believe is just the beginning of his prime. On his 2010 KTM 200, Andrew glides across the desert with ease. He recently became a father, alongside his biggest supporter, wife Erin. Together they will raise their beautiful son as the fourth generation aboard Jackrabbits MC, to carry on the support as they did with Andrew.
Harvey Bohman was brought into Steve Roberts
Vector’s most relatable rider, every man. A hard working family man who uses his riding as an outlet to decompress the week’s events. Steve explains the pros and cons of desert racing, “Being able to have elbow room while out camping, being able to play ride as opposed to a motocross track, there are no gate fees, way more seat time on the bike, and racing some of the most technical, gnarly terrain which make you become a better rider!” Steve belongs to the infamous club, Checkers MC, who are known for being a tight knit group of fast and sometimes famous, riders. Their comrades have included legends like JN Roberts and Red Ludford. I am confident Steve will make his mark with the Checkers .
Garrett Severen a 29-year-old yacht designer from Dana Point comes into 2011 as an amateur with countless accomplishments in 2010. He has raced multiple night quad races and back-to-back grand prix races. His accomplishments are enhanced by team racing with Patty Blais, wife of the world renowned Chris Blais. Garrett is a world traveler. On many weekends throughout the year, we find
place awards in racing. Last year he brought with him the 2010 Rich Caselli Sportsman of the Year award, a perpetual trophy given to reward the most noted sports man or woman each year within the AMA So Cal Motocross Championship Series. Harvey races the vintage and senior expert class in GP, Desert, Motocross, SRA, and Enduro Series. Harvey told me recently “Being the old bull of the team at the ripe ol’age of 49½, I have to say that I love to ride! It’s just finding the time. 2010 was the best and the worst year of my life. After almost losing Kim [Harvey’s wife] to an illness in May, I was devastated. I was ready to sell everything and quit racing, to be with my family. Kim, being true to form came back from the impossible. I told her what my plans were, I wanted to spend more time with my family. Kim told me that I have been with my family the whole time, our desert club So Cal MC and our team Vector Powersports.” Harvey went on to tell me how much our sponsors have helped him. He has confidence he has the highest quality products around and that he was able to spend less on them through the team. This helps settle his mind to compete. He then continues, “
..sell the kids,
...the dog,
..the lawn mower! Sell what you can to make a fast buck to get to the races.” Lastly, my husband Shane Sands, as the best father I have ever known, he prides himself in being a hardworking 5th
Vector Powersports for his dedication and multiple 1st
grade
school teacher. Shane describes racing, “Desert racing is a battle field. You line up anxiously waiting for the banner to drop, to do battle for 3+ hours against the rugged terrain, the 200+ pound bike and other racers.” He’s always been a strong athlete in wake, skate, and snowboarding. He consistently tries to “one-up” his own
education with a Masters and multiple degrees beyond that. But there is no better victory than to see him take his helmet off, huge grin, and begin excitedly describing the events that just occurred. His endeavors have made our family so proud to be a part of Vector Powersports. Shane is now running V6 in the Amateur class with only a few transfers left to reach the expert class. The desert has now become a near and dear place in my heart. A decade ago Shane and I would join Jason Houghton in Ocotillo each year. When our group began shrinking, Shane got desperate to ride more often but didn’t have the security and safety of a group. We discovered racing in 2005, he started as a beginner unsure of his ability against other racers. He would receive finisher pins and trophies at every race. His confidence took large strides as he moved up to a novice after joining District 37 in 2007. We then began looking into race clubs for that “safety and security” we wanted. So Shane researched the racing series online, looking through club websites and reading about the historics and current issues on the district’s message board. So Cal MC was the club we knew was a fit for us. There were other young kids like ours, fun, caring people with similar interests. No one was to leave the desert until the last club member was safely through the finish line. And we know many clubs that have similar club values. I will never forget sitting around the fire one night and listening to everyone’s careers. They ranged from a crime investigator, and deep sea welder to construction workers and a naval medic. We were among the younger of the club but I can say with confidence some of my favorite people are the “old timers” who tell their history and how the club has evolved over the years. These people became a part of our lives and our kids’ lives immediately. My 8 and 6 year old, for a few years now, get cheered on at an occasional kids race, receiving trophies and other fun stuff. I have recently become involved in the So Cal Motocross Series, as a result of being active in the desert. This lifestyle is an expected stress relief. With everyday issues of work, my own health issues, the
Harvey Bohman after picking up his Catalina GP trophy
complexities of raising children, my schoolwork, and trying my best to be a supportive wife, I still can’t imagine our lives any different. The relationships and safety we all feel in each other’s presence can’t be paralleled. And now with the creation of our race team, that bond is even stronger. With the resources of the people we are surrounded by we can reach goals we never intended on. We keep our fingers crossed for everyone’s health and whatever else can get us through to the next race. We all have a tight camaraderie that is connected because of our ability to work together and push one another. As Brian Nasif says, “When I am tired and sore and just want to sit down to ride out a race, I remember all of those who are working hard so I can have this opportunity and it motivates me to press on.”
As a team our best advice is to just come out and give it a try!
With the support of our sponsors we can insure our riders can be confident they are racing with high quality products. Barnett Transportation, Inc, One Industries, Scorpion EXO Helmets, BGA Insurance, FMF, Lisa Nasif/Unisource Realty, Pro Moto Billet/ Fastway, TBT Racing Suspension, Fasst Co, Gaerne Boots, Warp 9, K&N Filters, Scotts Performance, MadJack Racing/AmsOil, Dirt Tricks, Smith Optics, Sunline, SixSixOne, Stomp Designs, Seal Savers, IMS, Cycra, PG Graphics.
The Vector Ladies D37 awards 2011
MON-THURS 8:00 to 5:00 Shane Sands, Glen Helen Prairie Dogs 2011
www.Doetsch-Shocks.com 800-8-SHOCKS
www.SS-OffRoadMagazine.com - MAY 2011 - S&S OFF ROAD MAGAZINE 25
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