Honored Heros: Distinguished Veterans

 

 

DDC Racing wants to honor the brave men and women who have served in America's Armed Forces. We thank you for your service, dedication and sacrifice to our great country. As a small token of our thanks, we offer a military discount. (Please email us us for details)

Every month, we will honor a new service member and if you are chosen, you will be recognized on this page, and you will receive a free DDC Racing T-shirt! The criteria is simple, you MUST be either active, honorably discharged, or retired from any branch of service and you MUST be a rider. 

To Apply:  Send us a short paragraph about yourself. Include any additional information or a message that you would like to share.  

  • Please send two pictures: one in uniform and one on the bike
  • Include your favorite bike make, and model
  • Include your favorite riding (place to ride/style of riding)
  • email to: sales@ddcracing.net  
If selected, you will be notified by email prior to being recognized here.  Once again, thank you for your service!

 

February 2021:

Nate Sheehy

Nate Sheehy, US Air Force

Favorite Bike: My current 2018 KTM 250 XC-W

Favorite Riding: Tight, Technical single track, preferably with trees.

"My name is Nathan Sheehy, I have a beautiful bride of 21 years who’s name is Lisa. I also have 2 kids, Nolan and Naomi. Nolan just graduated basic training for the Air Force and loves to ride also.
      I served 9 years in the Air Force as an Aircraft mechanic on the A-10 Warthog. I was stationed at Eielson AFB, Edwards AFB, Davis-Monthan AFB, Osan AB Korea, and Beal AFB. I loved what I did, and I wished I would’ve stayed in and retired.
      I grew up in NorCal and started riding at the age of 13, It’s been a passion of mine ever since. I raced a bit as an adolescent (VCGP, district 36 H&H and scrambles), and then I joined the military directly out of high school. I had a child at the age of 19, and spent the next 15 years passing on my passion to my son.  It is my hope to have him one day pass it down to the generations that follow him.
Live to Ride, Ride to Live.
God Bless America 🇺🇸" - Nate Sheehy

Thank you for your service Nate!

Nate Sheehy Riding

 


January 2021: No Submissions Received.
December 2020: No Submissions Received.
November 2020: No Submissions Received.
October 2020: No Submissions Received.

September 2020: No Submissions Received.

 

August 2020:

Nick Lake in a tunnel

Nick Lake, US Army Engineers

Favorite Bikes: 2018 Husky TX 300 & my 1991 KDX 220 with a KX 250 engine!

Favorite Riding: Desert Racing

"I was an Army Engineer for over 7 years and I medically retired in 2014. I was deployed multiple times in support of both Operation Iraqi Freedom & Enduring Freedom. I grew up riding dirt bikes, but I didn’t start racing until 2 years ago and I have been hooked ever since! I am racing the entire Best In The Desert Series this year in the Amateur Ironman class. Riding and racing dirt bikes has become essential to both my physical and mental health. I have currently sold my house and I'm living in my toy-hauler full time to chase this dream and I couldn’t be happier." - Nick Lake

BITD # O62 Ironman
SCORE # 232X
DIST 38 # 62V
UEMA MOTORSPORTS

Thank you for your service Nick!
Nick Lake

 

 

July 2020: No Submissions Received.
June 2020: No Submissions Received.
May 2020: No Submissions Received.
April 2020: No Submissions Received. 
March 2020: No Submissions Received.
 

February 2020:

John Grady firing door gun

John Grady, US Air Force

Favorite Bikes: 2009 CRF450X, 2017 Husky FX450

Favorite Riding: The beautiful New Mexico Desert

“My name is John Grady, and I am a Master Sergeant in the US Air Force. I am an HH-60G Pavehawk Flight Engineer. Our mission is to rescue personnel who are isolated behind enemy lines, and provide casualty evacuation. I monitor aircraft systems in flight, operate the 50 caliber and 7.62 minigun crew-served weapons, and work with the para-rescue team to insert and extract them and the survivor/patient. I have been in for 13 years and running. My favorite riding is in the desert, and my favorite place to ride is my home state of New Mexico. I currently ride an 09 CRF450X and a 17 Husky FX450. To Nate: thank you for all your support to those of us serving our nation abroad.” - John Grady

Thank you for your service John!

 

January 2020: No submissions received.
December 2019: No submissions received.
November 2019: No submissions received.
October 2019: No submissions received.
September 2019: No submissions received.

 

August 2019:
Dustin on assignment

Dustin Ashe-Everest, US Army

Favorite Bike: KTM 525 MXC

Favorite Riding: Capital Forest WA , Ocotillo Wells CA & The Ridge MX track in Shelton, WA.

"I’m a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Army stationed at Joint Base Lewis McChord WA. I’ve been riding since the age of 5 and recently become more involved in racing. I took a 1st Place finish at the 2018 BITD Vegas 2 Reno in Ironman Amateur, 2010 Parker 250 , and a handful of local off-road and MX races. This year I will be soloing the SCORE Baja 1000 aboard my KTM 450. I've been a huge fan of KTM’s for many years now and currently ride a KTM 450. I appreciate all the support that Nate and DDC Racing has done for the Active Duty and Veteran community." -Dustin Ashe-Everest

Thank you for your service Dustin!

Dustin Racing BITDDustin with 1st Place Trophy

Dustin and team, BITD Racing

July 2019: No submissions received.
June 2019: No submissions received.
May 2019: No submissions received.
 

April 2019: 

Jesse Bergen

Jesse Bergen, US Army

Favorite Bike: KXF450

Favorite Riding: Desert and trails.

"I joined the army in 2011 as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne division with one combat deployment to eastern Afghanistan. I started riding when I got out of the army in 2015." - Jesse Bergen

Thank you for your service Jesse!

Jesse Bergen KX450F


March 2019: No submissions received.
February 2019: No submissions received.
January 2019: No submissions received.

 

December 2018:

Matt Madore

Matt Madore, US Army

Favorite Bike: 2018 Beta 300rr

Favorite Riding: "I really enjoy the challenging terrain. I race hard & extreme enduro and the gnarlier, the better! I like to ride classic Colorado single-track and love some desert slab. If it's hard and punishing, sign me up. I also really like to hone my technical skills with log matrices, rock gardens, large tires, and whatever else the crazy race designers some up with."  -Matt Madore

Thank you for your service Matt!

Matt Madore On Bike

 


November 2018:
Zach Arnold

Zachary Arnold, US Army: Infantryman (2010-2013)

Favorite Bikes: Honda's & Yamaha's. I currently own and race a 2017 YZ250F

Favorite Riding: Moto & GP Style Tracks

"My name is Zachary Arnold. I joined the Army in 2010 and became an Infantryman. I was medically discharged in 2013 due to injury. I have ridden dirt bikes since age 4 and I could not imagine life without moto. I do some amateur motocross racing, and I also coach the MSF dirtbike school in my spare time. I operate a small shop out of my home and do some bike repair, race-prep, and sell parts as well." - Zachary Arnold 

Thank you for your service Zach!

Zach Arnold Racing

 

October 2018:

Joshua Dykstra

Joshua Dykstra, US Army: (2004- current) UTES Wage Leader

Favorite Bikes: Honda CRF450R, Honda CR125

Favorite Riding: Motocross and Supercross style tracks

Favorite Place to Ride: Morelands Supercross Track

"I serve as a 91B Light Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic. I have completed two tours overseas between Iraq and Afghanistan. I have every intention of staying enlisted for a minimum of twenty years. I started racing motocross back in 2001 and raced every weekend I possibly could, until I deployed in 2008. That is when I left the sport until recently, when I heard about an organization called Veteran MX. It immediately sparked my interest to get back into riding, especially with my son racing now. 2018 was my first full year back on a bike, and I managed to finish in the top 5 overall for points in 4 different classes between 2 different series." -Joshua Dykstra

Thank you for your service Joshua!

Joshua Dykstra Racing

 

September 2018: No submissions received.
August 2018: No submissions received.
July 2018: No submissions received.
June 2018: No submissions received.
May 2018: No submissions received.

 

April 2018:

Chet MainwaringChat Mainwaring Dress Blues

 

Chet Mainwaring, US Army: (1982-2002) Retired

Favorite Bikes: Husqvarna 701, Beta 300RR

 

Favorite Riding: Adventure riding and anytime I'm on two wheels

Favorite Place to ride: Washington State

"I served as a Small Arms Repairman, Tank Turret Mechanic, Senior Instructor, Recruiter, and Station Commander. I Currently work as an Instructor for Puget Sound Safety Off Road (www.pssor.com) and I'm the current VP for Veterans Back 40 Adventure, a 501c3 non profit organization dedicated to linking like minded Vets together. Our mission is  to get out and ride, and to explore what nature has provided us. Please check out our website: www.veteransback40adventure.org.
I recently added a DDC sprocket on my 701, I went up two teeth after a trip to Moab left me feeling like I was always in between gears. I'm happy to report that at this year's Kenda Desert 100 that the gearing was spot on and I finished 12th in the ADV Class!
If you see a Vet, look them in the eye, shake their hand, and express your appreciation." - Chet Mainwaring
Thank you for your service Chet!
Chet Mainwaring at the Desert 100Chet racing his Husky 701

 

 

March 2018: No submissions received.
February 2018: No submissions received.
January 2018: No submissions received. 
December 2017: No submissions received.
November 2017: No submissions received. 

 

October 2017:

Del Sheltrow

Del Sheltrow, US Air Force: (1997-2013)

Favorite Bike: Gas Gas EC300

Favorite Riding: Enduro and Cross Country

Favorite Place to ride: Northern Italy

"I'm originally from Michigan and I now live in Texas. I own D 'N' E Offroad. (www.dneoffroad.com) We provide track-side race support throughout northern Texas. 
I am retired U.S. Air Force, I served from 1997 to 2013."

Thank you for your service Del!

Del Sheltrow with motorcycleDel Sheltrow pushing swing.

September 2017: No submissions received.
August 2017: No submissions received.
July 2017: No submissions received.

 

June 2017:

Jesse Cunnally, Us Marine Corps: (2004-2008)  US Army: (2009-2014)

Favorite Bike: 2016 KTM 350SX-F

Favorite Riding: Virginia City/Honey Lake MX

"I was born in Carson City and raised in Virginia City, Nevada. Once referred to as "bad ass fast" by Bob "Moto-Mouth" Cavakis, but now I just pray for a top 20 finish which are few and far between. :)  I started riding around the age of 4, and besides the years I spent on active duty, I never stopped riding. The Moto community has unlimited patriotism in their blood and I'm glad to be apart of a sport that supports their veterans."

"P.s. Mortars are Hung!!!!"

Thank you for your service Jesse!

Jesse's KTM and American FlagJesse Cunnally

Jesse Cunnally KTM Action Sequence

 

 

May 2017:

Scott Hyde

Scott Hyde, US Army

Favorite Bike: DRZ400

Favorite Riding: Any day on the dirt in the mountains!

Favorite Place to Ride: Pine Nut Mountains/Carson Valley, Nevada

"I moved to the Carson Valley when I was 13 and got my first dirt bike soon after. I had left for the Army to start a new journey and never thought that I would move back to the Valley. That is until I came back and felt the sense of family and community that exists in our little village. I feel most at home when on the dirt in the Pine Nuts looking out over our home. I couldn’t think of raising my kids anywhere else."

Thank you for your service Scott!
Scott Hyde and his Suzuki Motorcycle Scott Hyde and US Army Company

 

 

April 2017:

Bryan L. Wedmore

Bryan L Wedmore, US Army

Favorite Bike: For Racing: a 1997 KTM 250EXC. This was by far the best woods bike I have ever owned. It just made me a better woods rider. My all time favorite "all around" bike would be an XR250. Bar none, that bike is indestructible!

Favorite Riding: Woods riding, (Enduros and Hare Scrambles).

All-time Favorite Place to Race: AMA District 15. I finished 3rd one year, it was around 2009 or so. I wasn't the fastest, but I was there trying at every race. 

"Riding has been a part of my life for over 40 years. Dirt bikes have given me more enjoyment than I could ever put into words. I really could not imagine a life without them. The places I've seen and the people I've met at the races at the best people in America. It truly is a family sport and rarely have I ever seen any trouble at a race."

Thank you for your service Bryan!

Bryan Wedmore with a yamaha motorcycleYoung Bryan Wedmore

March 2017: No submissions received.
February 2017: No submissions received
January 2017: No submissions received
December 2016: No submissions received

 

November 2016:
Travis Smith

Travis Smith, US Marine Corps.

Favorite Bike: 2008 250SXF converted to a 350.

Favorite Riding: Motocross

All-time Favorite Place to Race: Perris Raceway

Current Status: Travis Smith is the owner of Thumper Racing. Travis and his team build the baddest big-bore engines available!
"We've been in the the Big Bore Four Stroke industry for awhile now and have seen them come and go. Our kits and components have all undergone extensive torture tests in the real world with real customers, real racing, real endurance riding, and we have fed that back into our kits. You can experiment yourself on your expensive four stroke, but when you want Big Bore Power that "Just Works" and won't leave you stranded, make your ride impossible to start, or give you power that's unpredictable and "peaky", give us a call."

Thank you for your service Travis!!

Travis making a passTravis in Mid-AirThumper Racing Logo

 

October 2016: No submissions received.

 

September 2016:

Gary Kidman in uniform

Gary M. Kidman, US Army

Served in the US Army Mortar Division 1964-1969 and was Platoon Leader in the US National Guard, Weapons Platoon.

Favorite Bike: 1992 CR500

Favorite Riding: Motocross. Gary enjoyed racing with the Old Timers (OTMX) from 1980 to 1995 

Current Status: Retired. Loves working on classic cars and owns a mint 1992 CR500 and a sweet vintage Maico

"I'm a proud American who strongly believes in our freedom. My hope is that future generations preserve what many have sacrificed to protect."

Thank you for your service Gary!

 

 

 

August 2016: No submissions received.
July 2016: No submissions received.

 

June 2016:

 

Keith Serpa, US Marine Corps.

Served in Iraq during Operation Desert Storm

Owner: Carson Motorsports, Northern Nevada's Premier KTM dealership.

Favorite Bike: KTM 350 with a Thumper Racing 390 kit

Favorite riding:  "Gwarly Idaho single-track"

Our favorite Keith Serpa quote: "That was a triple, black diamond, nipple twister...... I don't even know what that was, but it was not a trail!"  #whoiskeithserpa

Thank you for your service Keith!

Motorcycles in a desert sandwash