Russell Bobbitt and Heidi Landon

are going to Brazil for the 78th annual International Six Days Enduro

Race and Bobbitt's mother, Bonnie, is doing everything she can to

help finance the trip.

Both Bobbitt and Landon will

race on motorbikes approximately 160 miles a day, through all sorts of

terrain. The race starts in Fortaleza, Brazil, and racers have to maintain

an average speed and hit their checkpoints exactly on time. The racer

with the fewest points at the end is declared the winner. Bobbitt will

race in the U-24 division for the United States, while Landon will race

with the U.S. Women's team.

Bobbitt is a 17-year-old senior

at The Heritage School in Newnan. He is a lifelong Fayetteville resident

who started riding at the age of four years old. He competes every weekend

with the Southeastern Enduro Trailriders Association. In addition to his

passion for riding, he enjoys playing soccer.

Landon is a Palmetto resident

and is new to the area. She has been racing for eight years, in both endurance

races and the National Cross Country Series. The race in Brazil will be

her first International Six Days Enduro Race, but she is looking forward

to it. She is engaged to a mechanic for Kawasaki and is looking to enjoy

a racing career before settling down to raise a family.

"The cost of going to

the Six Days Enduro is easily five figures," estimated Bonnie Bobbitt.

In order to help raise some money for her son, who is not fully sponsored

in Brooks. One of the main costs both Bobbitt and Landon face is shipping

their bikes to Oregon. The U.S. team will pay to ship their bikes to Brazil

from there. Other ways Bobbitt's mother is trying to raise some money

is by selling baked goods at Cycle Specialty, which is owned by Bo Bobbitt,

and is also where Landon is employed; having a garage sale and selling

things on eBay.

Bobbitt and Landon will be

leaving for Brazil at the end of the month. The race will take place from

Nov. 3-8. If you are interested in following the race from the Internet,

there should be information on www.isde2003.com or www.skunkworx.net.

if you would like to donate to Bobbitt or Landon's journey to Brazil,

phone Cycle Specialty at 770-461-3541.