Sgt. Ryan Begin, United States Marine Corps (USMC) served two tours in Iraq and returned home with a Purple Heart in Aug. 2004. Ryan has endured extreme sacrifices in his service to The United States. Along with losing part of his right arm (elbow), Ryan lost all hope of ever becoming a professional snocross racer. The AMSOIL Championship Snocross Series has invited Sgt. Begin to be an honorary guest at the HK Powersports New England Nationals at Rockingham Park Friday and Saturday, Feb. 12 and 13.

Ryan came home to Jackman, Maine as a decorated veteran. His proudest honor is his Purple Heart. Ryan was hit by a roadside IED on Aug. 1, 2004. “As a result of the blast I lost my right elbow,” Ryan wrote in an email to XWEO, ISOC and other races entities “I have had over 60 surgeries on my right arm since and also suffer from severe post traumatic stress disorder.” (PTSD) When the doctor asked me what angle I wanted my arm to be fused at, I held up my arms in the same position as the handle bars on a snomobile. Since my injury I have had to adapt a new riding style, and now I am once again riding at a very high ability level.

Ryan grew up riding snowmobiles since the age of 4. His first sled was a 1979 Ski-Doo Olympia 340. Ever since then he has had a dream of becoming a professional snowmobile racer. On Aug. 1, 2004, he thought his dream had died. He sunk into a deep depression that contributed to his PTSD.

But on Jan. 31, 2010 Ryan was watching the 2010 X-Games in Aspen, Col. “When I saw the adaptive race on (ESPN), for once in my life since the injury I had an extreme feeling of hope,” Ryan wrote.

Thanks to Rock Maple Racing (RMR), ISOC Racing Series, Valley Motorsports, Try Main Racing and a retired Marine, Sgt. Ryan Begiin is racing in a Adaptive Rider Race on February 20 & 21 2010 at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway in the Inauguarl Sno Bowl.
www.nhms.com

UPDATE:
Sgt. Ryan Begin competed in his first snocross race 02/20/2010 running in third place for his first time ever racing in the first RMR sanctioned Adaptive Race. Ryan's day ended short when he broke his right arm during the first lap in the final race. After speaking to him after he was back in his hotel from the hospital he was in high hopes and was excited just to have lived his dream. Ryan is going to see a sugeon next week.

There will be more to come when we sit down with Ryan and have an exclusive interview. XWEO is going to be working with engineers to design a handlebar that will adapt to Ryans riding style. There is also discussion of him entering into the Snowmobile Grassdrag competition.


To make donations please click the button listed below or email us: info@xweo.com

Sgt. Begin Contributors
ISOC Racing Series - RMR Snocross - XWEO - Valley Motorsports - Troy Main Race Team - NESNOX Snocross

Rock Maple Racing - Thank you for holding the Adaptive Rider Race
www.rockmaple.com

A special Thank You to Valley Motorsports of Northampton, Massachusetts for thier more than generous donations to make Sgt. Ryan Begin's dream of becoming a snocross racer reality. They have a dedicated "Team" of professionals that are willing to go that extra mile and provide you with quality service. Be sure to thank them for thier support when you make your next purchase.
Valley Motorsports
216 N. King Street Northampton MA 01060
Phone: 413-584-7303 Fax: 413-586-8323
Toll Free Phone: 800-649-9965
www.valleymotorsports.com

Special Thank you to Troy Main Snowcross Race Team of Fridley, MI, which has made a superior donation.
www.troymainracing.com

And to the Retired Marine who I commend for the great contibution. There aren't words that can describe your generosity...

The generosity is truly amazing Together as a "TEAM" this mans dream is becoming reality...XWEO.com