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by : Jenna Goldberg

We all love action sports, and sometimes that passion drives us to do challenging and borderline- psychotic things. Take for instance, running a 24-hour motocross marathon, helping riders of all ages to learn to ride a dirt bike, regardless of experience or the hour, (the marathon ran from 8 am Friday morning, through the afternoon and night to 8 am Saturday morning.)

But Kawasaki didn’t burn the midnight motor oil for just any motocross school- “Green Goes Pink” was Kawasaki’s initiative to raise money for breast cancer research in honor of Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization.

Monster Energy Pro Circuit Team riders, Mika Cornelius and T Satchell instructed the novice riders on how to start and stop gracefully, while maintaining their balance on the bike. After testing the waters, riders learned to shift gears and stand up on the bike while circling the dirt track at Kawasaki Headquarters in Irvine, Southern California.

24 hours later, 75 beginner and intermediate riders were stoked for a good cause, raising $2,500. Breast cancer survivor Shasta Johnson spoke to the riders about the importance of early detection, and prevention of the disease.

“I just want to thank Kawasaki, and you guys- to step up and do something different, and show how much you care about ending this disease,” she said with tears in her eyes. “It is really, really amazing to me… I just want to thank each and every one of you, from the bottom of my heart, thank you very much.”

“We wanted to do something special to support Shasta’s efforts and promote breast cancer awareness,” said Jan Plessner, Kawasaki’s Public Relations Manager. “What better way to show our support than to raise money and teach first-time riders how to enjoy our sport safely.”

Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. President Tak Teranishi visited the event to express his gratitude to participants and donators, “With all the new medical treatment and research, I hope we will find a cure in our right time for breast cancer, and all other life threatening illness,” he said.

WMA Rookie of the Year Sara Price stoked riders with a demonstration around the track, pulling wheelies, stoppies, and kicking up dirt as the novice riders looked on.

Monster Energy Kawasaki riders Ryan Villopoto, Nick Wey, and Jake Weimer came out to sign autographs and encourage riders as well. The following night, Villopoto took the Monster Energy Supercross event held at Angel Stadium in Anaheim. The supercross event also went pink for the cause.

As the final classes kicked off at 11 p.m. and 4 a.m., Speed TV personality Greg White stopped by the track to pump up the riders. And by 8 a.m. Saturday morning, Kawasaki’s Green Goes Pink mission was accomplished.

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