LAS VEGAS, Jan. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Australian motocross superstar Robbie
Maddison literally leapt into the pages of the Guinness Book of World Records by
jumping his motorcycle 322 feet 7-1/2 inches over the length of a regulation
football field to shatter the previous record of 277 feet at the Rio All-Suite
Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. The jump was the first-ever Red Bull
Experiment, which involves world-class athletes attempting world-first athletic
achievements.
 |
Robbie Maddison in an action sequence breaking the Guinness World Record for longest motorcycle jump (322 feet 7.5 inches) during the Red Bull Experiment at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.(PRNewsFoto/Red Bull) |
Telecast live on ESPN's New Year, No Limits program shortly after the ball
dropped in Times Square signifying 2008, Maddison hit the take-off ramp at 94
miles per hour on his Honda CR 500, reaching a height of more than 60 feet, and
soared into history.
"I came here to jump a football field," said Maddison. "Conditions weren't
perfect, but I'm happy with the result. Yesterday in rehearsal, I went 350 feet
and I knew 360 feet was achievable. We did all we could, but the winds played a
bigger factor than we planned. But this is called the Red Bull Experiment, and
we didn't know what the outcome would be. I just want to thank everyone that
made this jump possible and a big thanks to all the fans who came out to support
me. This is just the beginning."
A who's who of action and motorsports superstars cheered Maddo on, including
Olympic gold medalist Shaun White, 2006 MotoGP World Champion Nicky Hayden,
Olympic gold medalist Amanda Beard and the family of the late Evel Knievel, to
whom Maddison dedicated his world record-breaking feat.
Maddison, who hails from the town of Kiama, two hours south of Sydney, has
achieved tremendous success in the freestyle motocross world and is also the
owner of two additional world records -- for the longest jump on a 125cc
motorcycle (221 feet) and the longest jump with a trick (246 feet).
Other notable guests in attendance included five-time 500cc Grand Prix World
Champion Mick Doohan, AMA Superbike racers Ben and Eric Bostrom, freestyle
motocrossers Tommy Clowers, Mike Metzger and Ronnie Faisst, former motocross
racer Ernesto Fonseca, X Games BMX Big Air gold medalist Kevin Robinson,
skateboard legend Danny Way, big wave surf legend Ross Clarke Jones, snowboard
superstar Travis Rice, NASCAR driver Scott Speed and skateboarder Jake
Brown.
For additional information on Maddison and the Red Bull Experiment, please
visit http://www.redbullexperiment.com