Red Bull did it again, another New Year with another new record. And they chose none other than Nitro Circus star Travis Pastrana, a man that defines fun, to make history on NYE.
Epic conditions in the LBC called for chaos to unravel on the eve of 2010. Clear dark skies, a crisp 60-degree ocean breeze and the not-so-warm-looking, pitch-black waters lit by a blue moon welcomed the Red Bull: New Year. No Limits. world record attempt. The Queen Mary in distance, the waters of Long Beach's Rainbow Harbor would remain calm until Pastrana stirred up the evening.
Under the blue moon was the place to be along with thousands of cheering spectators. The area surrounding the lighthouse was jam packed like a can of sardines. Making our way down to the media area was a journey in itself; people were less than excited about letting us through. We had to make our way through 70,000 spectators along the way I hear people arguing Pastrana’s success rate of the attempt. The ruling seemed to be thirty percent of the fans hoped for quick-action from the recovery team; the other seventy percent knew just what Pastrana was about to do. Bulldozing our way through the anxious mob, we also overheard people remarking that it was an optical illusion from the lighthouse. It was no visual arts trick, the landing ramp was definitely taller than the take-off. We were lost in a sea of people, it was time to call for some sidewalk assistance. A friend of mine came to the rescue and led us on the correct path through the impatient crowd to a slim media area that grazed the rocks of the harbor waters. Once reaching our destination, I recognized a few well-known moto photogs lining the fence including BrownDogWilson, who was armed with two cameras. He let me shoot the jump with one, very cool! Thanks BDW! A big screen set-up projected the live ESPN show, hosted by Jamie Little and Joe Tessitore. The big screen entertained the crowd while Travis and his crew prepared for the big flight. The world record for a ramp-to-ramp car jump was set by Subaru teammate Ken Block at 171 feet in 2006. Travis seized the record...
On December 31st, 2009, just as New Yorkers rang in the New Year, Pastrana set the world record for jumping a car ramp-to-ramp and the first record doing so over water. Pastrana goes into 2010 holding over ten Guinness World Records including First Person to perform a Double Backflip on a Motorcycle, Lowest Motorcycle Backflip (3 feet) and Most Motorcycle Backflips in 30 seconds.
The crowd went wild as Pastrana made the 269 feet rally car flight look like a perfected routine. People were jumping up on the fences and cheering as the dare-devil just made record-taking history among their presence. With few practice runs on dirt, he had one shot at the jump over water and he did it with excellence. Message boards crowded the internet with the question, "Even if he does make it, how is he going to stop the car?" A safety barrier would be the answer and the end of the road for the airborne Subaru WRX STi. The car slammed into the barrier wall leaving it incapacitated. Travis quickly aborted the car to let fans know "I'm okay, I did it!" The ecstatic Wonder Boy ran to the top of the landing ramp began the afterparty with a gainer into Rainbow Harbor. Yes, Travis ended up in the water and overshot his planned record by 19 feet. Travis also noted on camera that the moisture from the ocean made the floating barge as "slick as ice," making it difficult to stop the Subaru.
Launching a rally car off an 80-foot-long ramp into the air hoping that landing is on the other side is just plain insanity. First off, you have to find someone that is willing and crazy enough to commit to this stunt. Second, they have to actually do it and all in front of the world on live television. Third, the car must make its way down a 900 foot runway reaching 90mph before taking flight. Fourth, it must land on the barge to set an official world record. Travis Pastrana was the man for the job. He committed, he flew 269 feet, he landed, he conquered.
Red Bull gives their athletes as much room needed to push the limits of action sports, I can't wait to see "what's next," who will set a new high or attempt a new world record in 2010.