Red Bull: New Year. No Limits. Double Dose of Distance
Levi LaVallee and Robbie Maddison simultaneously break world records over 300-foot water gap On New Year’s Eve, live in San Diego on ESPN
Just after midnight on the East Coast (9 p.m. Pacific) Levi LaVallee and Robbie Maddison soared over 300 feet of water, and when they safely landed, both established new world records for distance jumping on a snowmobile and motorcycle, respectively, at Red Bull: New Year. No Limits. The event was telecast live from San Diego, Calif., on ESPN, ESPNHD and ESPN3.
LaVallee, a 29-year-old native of Longville, Minn., who was slated to jump in the same event last year before a testing accident derailed his New Year’s plans, redeemed himself in a big way – by breaking his existing certified world record of 361 feet with a leap of 412 feet 6 inches.
Maddison, a 30-year-old Aussie now living in Temecula, Calif., also achieved history by breaking his existing certified world record of 351 feet 3 inches by more than 30 feet, landing 378 feet 9 inches from his take-off ramp. Read more
Red Bull: New Year. No Limits. Call it a Comeback
A motorcycle and a snowmobile walk into a bar…Well, not quite, but not too different, as a motorcycle and a snowmobile will simultaneously fly over water in the latest installment of Red Bull: New Year. No Limits.
This year will bring together two incredible athletes who have found their way back to the annual New Year’s Eve celebration via different paths. The event will air live from San Diego, Calif., on Saturday, December 31 at approx. 11 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. PT on ESPN, ESPNHD and ESPN3, immediately following the Chick-Fil-A Bowl. Read more
Red Bull Soapbox Race Set to Speed Through the Streets of Downtown Los Angeles
FORTY-SEVEN TEAMS GEARING UP TO RACE DOWN GRAND AVENUE ONTO 5TH STREET
On September 26 there will be at least two streets in Los Angeles free from the usual gridlocked traffic. Grand Avenue and 5th Street in Downtown will be reconfigured into wide-open raceways as the Red Bull Soapbox Race screeches into town. The wacky event will feature a field of 47 hand-made soapbox racers, driven by men and women daring enough to brave steep drops, a 90 degree turn and scary speeds in pursuit of achieving glory. But this race is far from your stereotypical childhood derby, and these are no ordinary vehicles! Angelenos can keep their eyes peeled for a giant nose, a bunk bed, a time-traveling DeLorean, Pac-Man, an Aztec temple and more zooming down Grand Ave and taking a sharp turn onto 5th Street next to Pershing Square Park.
After reviewing around 200 applications, the 47 most creative teams were selected to race their human-powered vehicles down the course. While these teams definitely feel the need for speed – they can reach close to 40mph in their racers – they will need more than just velocity to win. Judging is based on three criteria: speed, creativity and showmanship, so expect to see a healthy slice of style added to soapboxes’ blur-inducing speed.
BORN TO BE WILD
It should come as no surprise that Los Angeles would produce some of the wildest soapboxes to date, many of which include a familiar cast of characters. Head Downtown on September 26 and you will witness E.T. and Elliot flying over the moon, OJ Simpson being chased by the police and the cast from Alice in Wonderland riding a giant caterpillar. And where are the Wild Things? Tearing down the Red Bull Soapbox Race course in Max’s boat, that’s where. Also expect appearances by Speed Racer, James Bond, Falkor from The Never Ending Story and Lord Dark Helmet from Spaceballs. The teams come from all over Southern California as well as from Oregon, Arizona, Texas, Colorado and Nevada. College rivalries will be in high gear as teams from USC, UCLA, Pepperdine, Cal Poly Pomona, CSU Long Beach, CSU Northridge, Loyola Marymount University, Oregon State University and University of North Texas take to the track to compete for school pride.
These gearheads may love the smell of axle grease in the morning and race just for the thrill of it, but turns out there’s a pay off! First place at Red Bull Soapbox Race is an unforgettable NASCAR experience including flight and hotel for all five team members. Second prize is the ultimate driving day at one of the most challenging and exciting racetracks in the nation. Third place receives a day of high speed go-kart racing. One team will also win the People’s Choice Award to be chosen by the crowd through SMS voting on race day.
Los Angeles may be the latest pit stop, but the Red Bull Soapbox roads have been braved by many daredevils before. The first Red Bull Soapbox Race took place in Belgium in 2000, and has since visited almost 30 countries including Austria, England, Jamaica, Czech Republic and Australia to name a few. The first U.S. event was held in St. Louis in 2006 and the event is making two U.S. stops this year in Atlanta (August 29) and Los Angeles (September 26).
RULES OF THE ROAD
It may be fast, it may be wild, it may even be weird. . .but there are rules to keep it legal. All driving machines must be entirely human-powered – no stored power or external energy sources allowed – though they must have a braking system. To maintain ground clearance (and prevent them from getting stuck on the starting ramp), soapboxes should sit at least 7″ from the ground, and be no taller than 7′ high. And finally, all soapboxes can have one or two drivers, must weigh no more than 176 lbs (without the drivers).
www.redbullsoapboxrace.com
Source: Red Bull
Ronnie Record: Motocross Star Ronnie Renner Breaks Big Air World Record at Red Bull High Rise
Unparalleled insanity met high hopes in the friendly confines of Chicago’s Butler Field at Grant Park as professional motocross athlete Ronnie Renner broke his own Guinness World Record for highest motorcycle jump off a quarterpipe.
Thousands of excited fans from all over the Midwest huddled together in anticipation and watched as Renner fearlessly approached the imposing ramp, which featured Chicago’s world famous skyline as the backdrop. On his third attempt, Renner launched himself an astounding 63 feet 5 inches above the ground, eclipsing the record he set a year ago.
“It’s been crazy. I’m so pumped to have done it,” said Renner after his jumps. “What a killer vibe! All these people coming out to see me and they were psyched. I could hear the crowd cheering.”
Guinness World Records certified Renner’s highest jump, which was officially measured from the top of the 22-foot-tall quarterpipe, as 41 feet 5 inches from the top of the ramp (63 feet 5 inches high, total).
“I was super excited to come but didn’t really know what to expect,” said Lindsey Marlow, a fan. “I’ve seen a lot of motocross events, but Ronnie’s jump was amazing!”
Immediately following Red Bull High Rise, Renner jumped on a yacht to be a part of Chicago’s 52nd Annual Venetian Night as the last boat of the evening. Adding his usual touch, he played air guitar as he sailed down Lake Michigan. During Renner’s time in Chicago, he witnessed both a White Sox and Cubs game, priding himself on being a non-biased fan. Unfortunately, he missed Mark Buehrle’s perfect game by a day.
Ronnie set his initial world record in 2008 on the Santa Monica Pier by jumping 59’2″ above the ground. After that jump, he knew he could go higher, and under an ominous Chicago sky, he did. When asked what he planned to do next, Renner stated, “Between myself and Red Bull, we’re bound to come up with something crazy.”
Renner is a respected freestyle motocross veteran whose credentials include a gold medal in Moto X Step Up at the 2007 Summer X Games, and the Step Up world record. He will participate in the X Games next weekend, competing in the Moto X Step Up and Best Whip events.
Renner’s jump completed yet another amazing chapter of world-firsts, following the record-shattering performances of fellow motocross sensation Robbie Maddison and BMX star Kevin Robinson. Maddison jumped the length of a football field in front of thousands on New Year’s Eve 2007, clearing 322 feet in Las Vegas. Last June, Robinson soared 27 feet above the lip of a huge quarterpipe (54 feet above the ground) in New York’s Central Park to set the BMX big air world record.
For more information about the event, visit www.redbullusa.com.
Motocross star Ronnie Renner to attempt to break highest air world record at Red Bull High Rise, Saturday, July 25
Chicago’s renowned skyscrapers will share the sky with motocross superstar Ronnie Renner on Saturday, July 25. The Windy City will watch as Renner attempts to break his own Guinness World Record for the highest air ever attained on a motorcycle at Red Bull High Rise. He will go sky-high at Butler Field prior to Chicago’s annual Venetian Night, adding a new spin to an old tradition.
Renner is a respected freestyle motocross veteran whose credentials include a gold medal in Step-Up at the 2007 Summer X Games and the Step-Up world record. He set his original quarterpipe big air world record by jumping an amazing 59 feet, 2 inches in July, 2008. In 2009, he will attempt to beat this record by launching sky-high onto a massive custom-built steel landing ramp measuring 64 feet wide and 30 feet tall.
Why Chicago? Why not? “While I was thrilled with being able to set the initial world record last year, I know I can push myself to achieve a better height, and Chicago is one of the best places to be in the summer,” said Renner. “Plus it added another component to my training regimen – I need to train my stomach to prepare for Chicago cuisine; especially the deep dish pizza!”
Renner has been training at the exclusive Red Bull Compound in Southern California in preparation for his big night on a modular quarterpipe built specifically for him. The Compound is a one-of-a-kind training facility that Red Bull provides its athletes to equip them with the support they need in order to achieve their wildest dreams.
WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF RED BULL
Renner’s jump completes yet another amazing chapter of world-firsts, following the record-shattering performances of fellow motocross sensation Robbie Maddison and BMX star Kevin Robinson. Maddison jumped the length of a football field in front of thousands on New Year’s Eve 2007, clearing 322 feet in Las Vegas. Last June, Robinson soared 27 feet above the lip of a huge quarterpipe (54 feet above the ground) in New York’s Central Park to set the BMX big air world record.
VENETIAN NIGHT!
Presented by the City of Chicago, the 52nd Annual Venetian Night is expected to draw more than half a million people to the lakefront. In addition to Renner’s world record attempt, the evening kicks off at 7:45 p.m. with the Chicago Fire Department’s Air/Sea Rescue re-enactment. Immediately following at 8:15 p.m. the boat parade begins, culminating with a spectacular fireworks display at 9:00 p.m. People of all ages begin to stake out spots along the lakefront in the early morning to ensure a good view of this popular event. Admission to the event is free.
Source: Red Bull North America