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October 2024 9 Don Cutler Don Cutler At the beginning of the season, Kevin did his best to stay on Don's rear fender, but in the end, Don would be wai ng for him. By the close of that season, it was Kevin who would be wai ng for Don. When Kevin men oned this, Don said how happy he was because it had all gone to plan. Don had groomed a champion as Kevin blossomed tremendously a er that special season, amassing three gold medals, two silver, and one bronze in ISDT compe on from 1975 to 1981. Kevin's other highlights were winning the brutal Black- water 100 three mes! All efforts during the 1974 season came to frui on at the 1975 ISDT, held at the Isle of Man. John Taylor of Yankee Motors provided the Silver Vase Team with a fleet of specially prepped 250cc Desert Phantoms. These machines were built by Don Cutler himself and adorned with many innova ve modifica ons that would greatly assist in maintenance during the mini- mal me allowed for bike prep during a six-day event. The team consisted of Don Cutler, Kevin Lavoie, Max Markowitz, and Charlie Vincent, an off-road and moto- cross compe tor with an impressive collec on of wins and championships in many disciplines of off-road mo- torcycling compe on. At the Isle of Man, Don earned a Silver, Kevin also a Silver, and Max earned a Bronze Medal. Unfortunately, Charlie experienced a DNF as a result of gearbox issues. 1975 was a wonderful year for the Ossa team. Sadly, '75 was also the last for this group of champs compe ng together. We have Kevin Lavoie to thank for assembling this group of fine men on this special day. With a renewed interest in the history of off-road racing, Kevin reached out to all the members of the 1975 Silver Vase Team to see if they were interested in a reunion. With both Don Cutler and Charlie Vincent living in Maine, Char- lie's Sunnyside Farm in Warren, Maine, would be the perfect loca on. Those in a endance traveled from all over the country, with Ossa Team Manager Mar- cia making the trek all the way from Wyoming. Jack Penton has had one busy summer, and I was happy to see he found the me to make the trip, too. Mingling and cha ng with heroes of my teenage years has been quite a treat. What's fun is the stories seem to be never-ending. While enjoying a delicious catered lunch, I bumped into my friend Bob Hogan of Hogan Cycles in Agawam, MA. Established in 1955, Hogan Cycles is one of the oldest motorcycle shops in New England, and Bob's list of accomplishments in motorcycle racing of all forms is massive. 1975 Silver Vase Team Photo 1975 Silver Vase Team Photo