Jeff Fredette 30 ISDE Starts in a row
Jeff Fredette is riding his 30th consecutive ISDE. Yes 30, in a row! In the last 29 starts, he has 29 finishes with 10 Gold medals, 18 Silvers medals and, 1 Bronze medal. That is the longest starting streak and more importantly the best finishing streak in ISDE history. And that history goes back to 1913.
This year, Jeff is riding on the JAFMAR club team with Don Williams and Billy Burns. At the end of day 3 they are running 13th out of 74 club teams.
The 52 year old Fredette hardly looks his years. There is a bit of grey in his hair, but the twinkle in his eye and his ready smile when talking about his favorite sport make him look 30 something. He is the owner of Fredette Racing Products and is from Beecher Illinois. His company specializes in ISDE accessories and especially Kawasaki parts. Jeff has been Kawasaki mounted most of his ISDE career and sports the nickname of “Mr. KDX” for his love for that great Kawasaki off-road bike.
Jeff considers the ISDE his vacation for the year. He has ridden all over the world and met people from many different backgrounds and cultures. “It is cool to have someone else decide that we will ride in Chile, New Zealand, Brazil, France, Italy, or wherever in the world. I look forward to it each year as my foreign vacation!”
Jeff started riding on a Hodaka Ace 90 when he was 12 years old. Jeff’s dad was an enduro rider and soon Jeff went from support crew to riding. He started riding the ISDE on a Suzuki, but soon switched in 1982 when he and Fritz Kadlec rode Kawasaki’s sponsored by Jones Goggles and Metzeler tires. He has ridden Kawasaki ever since. Jeff was concerned when Kawasaki stopped making the KDX 2 stroke, but has made the transition to 4 strokes in recent years.
Jeff earned a Silver medal in Greece in 2008, and a silver medal in Portugal in 2009. He is focused on finishing well and hoping for at least a silver this year in Mexico.
For Jeff, 30 is fine, but he is already talking about riding number 31 in Finland in August 2011!
go jeff!
Truly amazing! Fredette is the true Iron Man of ISDE!
Way to go Jeff, show them young riders how us over 50 guys can ride. Of course, most of us other over 50 guys can’t ride like you do…. Keep up the good job, you make our country proud.
Fast Eddie
Got a chance to spend time with Jeff in Portugal and can say he is truly an incredible person. I asked him how to survive 6 days and I stuck to his advice. He is famous in the ISDE world for sure, everyone knew him.
There are some interesting points in time on this article however I don’t know if I see all of them heart to heart. There may be some validity however I’ll take hold opinion till I look into it further. Good article , thanks and we want more! Added to FeedBurner as nicely