Posted on 12/31/2007 8:49:17 PM PST by hole_n_one
It will be the jump of Robbie Maddison's life.
The Aussie freestyle motocross star will attempt to jump the length of a football field in the middle of Las Vegas tomorrow and shatter the current Guinness World Record.
The 26-year-old from Kiama, on NSW's south coast, hopes to jump nearly 110 metres in the air and fulfil his lifelong dream.
"It's been a goal of mine to set the official longest distance jump and the other is to jump the length of a football field," Maddison told ninemsn from Las Vegas.
"I'm pretty confident I've got this one and that I'll have the record for longest jump as mine."
"Maddo" will approach the ramp at speeds of nearly 153km/h and will only be in the air for a mere 4 seconds during the planned jump.
He has been training at his southern California property for the past few months and has already surpassed 100 metres during practice runs.
"The best training I could have is just a life of riding bikes since I was four year old," Maddison said.
"Every spare minute of my life I've been on a two-wheel machine and that's given me the confidence that I have now.
"I started practicing at 200 feet and we've worked it back slow and I've already done a jump of 100 meters the other night."
Nor does the life-threatening nature of the jump seem to worry Maddison.
"The wind is pretty much my biggest enemy and I've been praying for perfect conditions," he said.
"The way I leave the ramp is a calculated manoeuvre and it's a dangerous gig, but believe it or not I can still correct the bike."
Maddison will stage his death-defying stunt as part of New Year's Eve celebrations at the Rio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, with other daredevils and music stars performing throughout the night.
Maddo already holds two world records — the longest jump on a 125cc motorcycle at 67 metres and the longest jump with a trick at 75 metres.
He is dedicating the jump to his idol — Evel Knievel, who died on November 30, aged 69, after suffering with pulmonary fibrosis, commonly known as a scarring of the lungs.
"I want to do this for the man who inspired me and everything I do," he said.
"100 per cent of this is for him and I've invited his family here and he's the man of honour."
Evel Knievel attempted a similar jump 40 years ago to the day by sending his motorbike 46 metres over the fountains at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas.
Knievel didn't land the jump and spent more than a month unconscious in hospital.
Maddison insists he is not fazed. "It doesn't worry me, I've watched his jumps and its 100 per cent different," he said.
"I'm fully confident and I know it's weird, but I think times have changed and the outcome will change."
Something tells me that if this is actual and not camera tricks, it’s gonna go wrong. Not that we aren’t up for watching people doing foolish stuff.
The bike is expected to reach a top speed of 90 mph on the ramp and at it’s apex, 60 ft. high.
500cc is a helluva lot of power. I couldn’t believe they pointed out that the handlebars are padded. I’m thinking if he blows the landing, the handlebars are going to be the last thing going through his mind. Literally.
A young celebrity paying tribute to the military, that’s kind of surprising.
Thank you for posting-—watching!
He will make it.
I used to ride a KTM 450 enduro - that bike had lots of go. A 250 would beat me off the line, but the 450 was so powerful on the stretches it was scary.
Run up run.
Here he goes!
He did it!
322 feet.
Not satisfied. He will do it again!
he's gonna jump it again.
Getting ready.
This is cool.
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