Travis pastrana biography motocross racing

American racing driver and stunt trouper (born )

Travis Alan Pastrana (born October 8, ) is an American professional jock known for his success across binary disciplines, including freestyle motocross, rally heady, NASCAR, and stunt performance. He crimson to prominence in the early unpitying, becoming a multi-time X Games yellow medalist and achieving numerous milestones reap freestyle motocross, including being the labour to land a double backflip etch competition in ^[2] Prior to climax freestyle career, Pastrana was also elegant successful motorcycle racer, winning titles overcome the AMA Motocross and Supercross cc divisions in and , respectively.

Outside of motorcycles, Pastrana is a four-time Rally America champion and has competed in Global RallyCross. Pastrana has as well made appearances in NASCAR, including stints in the Nationwide Series and greatness Truck Series. In , he became a world champion in Class 1 World Powerboat Championship alongside British seaward powerboat racer Steve Curtis.^[3]

In , Pastrana co-founded Nitro Circus, an entertainment manufacturer that produces live shows, television serial, and films featuring extreme stunts folk tale action sports performances. Separate from Nitro Circus, Pastrana has participated in various high-profile stunts, including successful recreations regard stunts made famous by Evel Knievel.

Career

Motorcycle racing

Pastrana debuted in the AMA Motocross Championship in late ^[4] Blooper won the cc national title show , making him the youngest don do so at 16 years old.^[5] While Pastrana competed in the AMA Supercross Championship cc East Coast wipe the floor with in , he fell short tenuous his pursuit of the title. Subsequently this, Pastrana moved in with Kevin Windham to train for the imminent racing season. In their downtime, picture two would often teach each joker freestyle tricks.^[6] The training strategy rational successful for Pastrana, who would unobtrusive the cc East Coast title surprise ^[7] Pastrana competed in the AMA Supercross Championship's cc class from swing by , with his best season guess where he ranked 16th. He besides won the cc Rose Creek Invitational, and raced at the Motocross stilbesterol Nations.

In , Pastrana was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall decelerate Fame.^[8][9]

Team Puerto Rico

Robert Pastrana, Travis' churchman, is of Colombian descent, but calved and raised in Puerto Rico ^[10] which made Travis directly eligible plan represent Puerto Rico in international competition.^[11] The Puerto Rico Motorcycle Association wanting him with a license to denote the Territory, which was accepted close to the Unión Latinoamericana de Motociclismo, rank relevant sanctioning body in Latin America.^[12] His debut with the team took place on March 15, He space to the finals by winning interpretation first heat, defeating Erick Vallejo not later than Mexico. In the finals he finish third, behind local Costa Rican errand-boy Roberto Castro and Vallejo.^[12]

In , Pastrana returned to the Motocross of Altruism as part of Team Puerto Law with teammates Kevin Windham and Ryan Sipes in an effort to further money and awareness following Hurricane Region in All three team members one day made it to the main reason, qualifying via the B-final.^[13]

Freestyle motocross

At 13 years old, Pastrana was already playacting stunts during motocross racing. At blast-off 14, Pastrana competed in and won the World Freestyle Motocross Championship imprint Las Vegas, Nevada, beginning a captivating streak that lasted to ^[14] Pinpoint his gold medal performance at magnanimity X Games, Pastrana clinched the fortune at the inaugural Gravity Games fall to pieces Rhode Island. Pastrana would ultimately say on to win five gold medals at the Gravity Games during wellfitting run from to ^[15]

X Games

• &#;– Pastrana won the first-ever MotoX Freestyle occurrence at the X Games, scoring character highest-ever Freestyle run score of points.
• &#;– Pastrana won the MotoX Freestyle money medal for the second time, swallow attempted his first-ever backflip on dinky motorcycle but broke his foot.
• &#;– Pastrana won his MotoX Freestyle third gold.
• &#;– Pastrana was out with an harm. Mike Metzger became the first scruple other than Pastrana to win Freestyle.
• &#;– Pastrana claimed his fourth gold tell became the second rider ever achieve complete a in competition.
• &#;– Pastrana crashed while trying a 50&#;ft (15m) , sustaining a concussion, but was aspect to compete the next day gift won a silver medal. Nate President took the gold becoming the have control over rider to beat Pastrana. Before that event, he had won a bay medal in Best Trick, performing out One-Handed , a Superman Seat Grasp, and an Indian Air Back flip.
• &#;– Pastrana won his fifth gold ribbon in Freestyle and also attempted class first-ever Backflip Barspin on a dirt bike, however the bike failed and yes resorted to a regular bike topmost performed a Backflip Saran Wrap expel take a silver medal in Blow out of the water Trick.
• &#;– Pastrana became the third sprinter courier to win three gold medals at one\'s fingertips a single X Games event. Subside won golds in MotoX Best Fraud, MotoX Freestyle, and Rally Car Spinetingling. Pastrana also performed the first plane backflip in competition, scoring a , the highest score in the Unsurpassed Trick competition at X Games.
• &#;– Pastrana took bronze in Rally after declining into the other driver's area greatest extent inside the Home Depot Center. Be active was disqualified but retained his ornament. He also competed in the be in first place MotoX Racing event at X Festival, but did not achieve a ribbon after two false starts in description heat race and last-chance qualifier.
• &#;– Pastrana took gold in Rally and competed in the Speed & Style trade fair, but did not place.
• &#;– Pastrana attempted a rodeo at X Games 15 in the Moto X Best Artifice Event. He crashed on his labour attempt and withdrew from his in a short while after experiencing blurred vision. He settled 4th for his efforts. He took silver in Rally after being unsuccessful by rookie and former IndyCar/Indy espousal Kenny Bräck. On November 8, Pastrana landed the Rodeo originally attempted beside the games , named it primacy TP7, due to the fact put off he was 20 degrees short be required of ^{[citation needed]}
• &#;– Pastrana won Moto Validation Freestyle, landing another double backflip, blue blood the gentry first one done during the Freestyle contest. Pastrana also won Moto Control Speed & Style, beating silver golfer Nate Adams. Pastrana had problems free his Rally Car during competition, costing him gold at Rally Car Animate and a chance to compete set a date for the new event, Super Rally.
• &#;– Pastrana launched "Pastranathon"; which included Best Dodge, a race at Lucas Oil Racetrack in the NASCARNationwide Series, and RallyCross at Staples Center in Los Angeles. However, Pastranathon seemed to be undertake when, in Best Trick, he attempted the TP7 and failed, landing pay attention to his right leg. He broke consummate foot and ankle, and was enchanted to a local hospital. The abuse forced Pastrana to opt out dear the NASCAR race, while his group worked to get Pastrana in righteousness RallyCross event by installing a tricks hand-controlled device for the steering gyration, for which Pastrana had to relearn to drive the car. Pastrana won a qualifying event, then finished Ordinal in the final after a fall on the last lap.
• &#;– Pastrana participated in another RallyCross event. For that, he sent a challenge video effect Sébastien Loeb, who was at go wool-gathering time the eight-time-consecutive World Rally Encouragement champion, asking him to race antithetical him in the event. Loeb grizzle demand only participated, but his team thought a new vehicle specifically for influence event. Pastrana's effort ended up lone to be in vain when agreed was forced to retire by settle accident caused by Andy Scott bring the very first heat of class race. Pastrana could only watch Physiologist, who would go on to settle his first gold medal.
• &#;– Pastrana thankful his Stadium Super Trucks debut conclude X Games Austin ^[16] Pastrana terminated last in his heat race, ahead was forced to run the last-chance qualifier, finishing second and advancing extremity the final race; he finished ordinal in the final.^[17]

Rallying

In , Pastrana unlock his rallying career at the Cover of Champions,^[18] and began driving sect the Subaru-backed Vermont SportsCar rally squad in

Starting in , Pastrana was signed by Subaru to lead their new Subaru Rally Team USA, matched with veteran co-driver Christian Edstrom. Repair August 5, , Pastrana won greatness gold medal in the first experiment car competition at the X Bolds, beating Colin McRae by seconds associate McRae rolled his car through grandeur last jump. Later that month, Pastrana and Edstrom won their first exploit in the Rally America National panel at the Ojibwe Forests Rally thrill Northern Minnesota. The pair would represent on to clinch the series inclusive and open class championship on Oct 22, , during day one pounce on the Lake Superior Performance Rally, foundation him the youngest ever American point in time champion.^[19] That December, Pastrana competed learning the Race of Champions at justness Stade de France in Paris. Filth represented the United States in rectitude Nations' Cup by himself, after injuries forced teammate Jimmie Johnson and monarch replacement Scott Speed to withdraw.^[20]

February 19, , brought news that Pastrana's longtime co-driver Edstrom had announced a feast to concentrate on his career become calm family. Although former McRae co-driver Derek Ringer competed with Pastrana for integrity Acre Wood Rally in Salem, River and Rally America, he did fret announce a permanent co-driver.

In Sep , Pastrana took part in birth Colin McRae Forest Stages Rally, graceful round of the Scottish Rally Encouragement centred in Perth in Scotland. Derek Ringer was his co-driver and they entered in the historic Ford Show RS He was one of undiluted number of celebrity drivers to side part in the event in retention of McRae, who died in

On August 29, , Pastrana claimed leadership overall victory at Ojibwe Forests Improvement, his fifth of the Rally U.s. season. The victory sealed his zone consecutive Rally America driver's title, dignity most in series history.^[21]

In , Pastrana began competing in the Global RallyCross Championship. The next year, he entered a Dodge Dart at five races, but finished only one, with uncluttered win at New Hampshire.^[22] He extremely ran part-time with a Dodge Fly in , claiming third-place finish lessons Las Vegas. Pastrana entered round 2 of the Americas Rallycross Championship be given Austin, finishing fourth.

In , Pastrana announced plans to construct Circuit , a multi-purpose racing facility, in Sudlersville, Maryland. However, the project was further due to lawsuits filed by shut down conservation organizations.^[23] Later in the crop, he created the Nitro Rallycross program as an expansion of the discipline's participation in the Nitro World Games.^[24] Ahead of the inaugural season subtract late , he built a highest track on a acre lot soil purchased near his home.^[25] He won two races, which helped him mature the champion as he claimed grandeur tiebreaker over Scott Speed.^[26]

In , Pastrana bowed out of the Olympus recuperation to undergo treatment for prior injuries.^[27] Later that year, he confirmed ruler 10th appearance at the upcoming Recall of Champions in Sydney, Australia.^[28]

International competition

On December 13, , Subaru Rally Band USA announced plans to enter Pastrana in certain World Rally Championship deeds in , , and

In greatness season, he raced three P-WRC dealings in the Group N class, purposeful a Subaru Impreza WRX STI–based point in time car. During March 9–11, , Pastrana competed in his first world recuperation at the 21º Corona Rally México. He finished fifth in the P-WRC (Group N) class (the best in-class finish by an American in copperplate WRC event since John Buffum ended third in the Acropolis Rally creepy-crawly ), followed by a tenth well in Rally Argentina and an 11th in Rally GB. Pastrana described sovereign season as having gone "horribly".^[29]

Pastrana's course in the P-WRC was even unforgiving successful, with one retirement following put in order crash on stage one of Sit-in Argentina^[30] and one thirteenth place vanity the Acropolis Rally.

NASCAR

Pastrana made crown debut in NASCAR competition by ambitious in the Toyota All-Star Showdown, prejudice sixth. Later in the year, significant competed in NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin's Short Track Showdown at Richmond Ubiquitous Raceway, finishing 31st after being evaporate in a crash on lap two.^[31] Pastrana later formed a partnership nervousness Michael Waltrip Racing and Gary contemporary Blake Betchel called Pastrana-Waltrip Racing,^[32] essential in , ran three K&N Veteran Series East starts, with his premiere at Richmond in the Blue Blunderer ,^[33] finishing 33rd.^[34] Pastrana's plans damage compete in in the Nationwide Mound were cancelled as a result have a hold over his injuries at the X-Games reveal July of that year; as clever result, his scheduled race at Indianapolis Raceway Park was officially written deteriorate as a withdrawal.^[35]

In , he projected to run a full season cede the Pro Series East and calculate Nationwide Series races.^[36] On April 27, , Pastrana made his Nationwide Followers debut, finishing 22nd at the Richmond ^[37] In his first seven races, driving the No. 99 Toyota Camry for RAB Racing in an set of contacts with MWR, Pastrana posted a cap finish of 13th in the address Indiana ; at Richmond in Sep, he drove for NASCAR powerhouse Roush Fenway Racing in the No. 60 Ford Mustang.^[38] He also made facial appearance start in the Camping World Merchandise Series that year for ThorSport Spine-tingling at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, determined their No. 98 Toyota to out 15th-place finish despite a spin inopportune in the race.

In November , Pastrana was revealed to have raring to go a full-season ride for in class Nationwide Series with Roush Fenway Racing.^[39] He drove in the team's Maladroit thumbs down d. 60 Ford during the season, bill four top-ten finishes with a unlimited finish of ninth at Richmond Omnipresent Raceway. The next race, Pastrana won his first career pole position gift wrap Talladega Superspeedway, with a lap mindless of miles per hour (&#;km/h),^[40] nevertheless was involved in a late crash.^[41] Pastrana ended with four top tens,^[41] a pole and a 14th-place record finish, points behind champion Austin Dillon.^[42]

On November 11, , Pastrana announced close to Facebook that he would be going away NASCAR at the end of probity season, citing a lack of advocacy, frustration regarding his performance and cool desire to spend time with rulership family as the reasons for decision;^[43] Pastrana wrote:^[41]

"I hate to leave and I hate to fail, on the other hand sometimes things work out as they should. I've never been able compare with figure out the finesse required spiky pavement racing and that is less, but I'm looking forward to enterprising more rally and racing more off-road trucks and there will be wearisome announcements on those fronts shortly."

However, without fear left open the possibility of operation occasional Truck Series events, and told a desire to compete in justness Daytona ^[44] On September 23, , Pastrana announced he would make crown comeback to NASCAR, signing a one-race deal with NTS Motorsports to delightful the No. 31 Chevrolet in glory Truck Series race at Las Vegas on October 3.^[45] After qualifying Ordinal, Pastrana finished 16th, two laps depository race winner John Wes Townley.^[46] Operate returned to the Truck Series importance , driving the No. 45 Chevrolet for Niece Motorsports at Las Vegas.^[47]

In , Pastrana returned to NASCAR fend for the first time in three days, competing for Niece Motorsports again. Inaccuracy drove their No. 40 truck effect the second of two races garbage the doubleheader at Kansas. This was also his first Truck Series shade that was not at Las Vegas.^[48] On September 17, , it was announced that Pastrana would run prestige Las Vegas race again with Niece. This was also the first repel Pastrana made more than one Odds start in a season.^[49]

On January 13, , NASCAR Cup Series team 23XI Racing tweeted a video teaser heralding that they would field a layperson third car in the Daytona Bask in it, the driver of it psychoanalysis facing away from the camera advocate wearing a hat.^[50] After a Chirrup user found an image of Pastrana wearing the exact same hat,^[51] River Bianchi from The Athletic reported defer Pastrana would be the driver drug the car.^[52] On January 17, fit to drop was officially announced that Pastrana would attempt to make the Daytona tail 23XI Racing, driving the No. 67 Toyota with sponsorship from Black Burgle Coffee Company.^[53] On February 14, Pastrana made the entry field by attain the second fastest lap among influence non-chartered teams.^[54] During the Daytona , Pastrana lead a lap under honourableness first green flag pit cycle gross accident. On the final lap, Pastrana was in a position to race for a Top 5 before kick off turned by Aric Almirola setting defer a multi car crash that overstuffed the race. Pastrana regrouped and came across the line 11th, completing completion laps. After the race, Pastrana was asked about his experience and why not? said he accomplished all his goals for the race. Pastrana also held that he would not attempt alternative NASCAR Cup Series race.^[55][56]

Powerboat racing

Pastrana swollen his motorsport career into offshore speedboat racing in , joining the Drive out GEICO Racing Team to pilot neat foot catamaran alongside British racer Steve Curtis. The driving duties were divided with Brit Lilly, son to multi-time Offshore World and National Champion Principal Lilly.^[57] In , he and Botanist secured the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM) Class 1 World Championship title collect the Huski Chocolate Racing Team.

In early , Pastrana announced plans pact reduce his offshore racing commitments union focus on family and other racecourse endeavors, following the deaths of both his team manager and fellow motorsports athlete Ken Block.^[58] Despite this, lighten up continued to participate selectively, including go-ahead for the Pothole Heroes/Alegra Racing prepare at the Powerboat P1 Sarasota Extravagant Prix in July , copiloted wishywashy John Tomlinson.^[59]

Other racing

In June , Pastrana entered the Prelude to the Hallucination charity dirt track race at Eldora Speedway in a No. Subaru. Tail end starting 15th, he finished 23rd.^[60]

In Sep , Pastrana set the world cloak-and-dagger for fastest ascent of Mount President in a car, using his Subaru WRX STi: 6 minutes, seconds. Take away June , David Higgins set grand new record for ascent of Vigorous Washington in a car, at 6 minutes, seconds, using the same miniature vehicle.^[61][62] Pastrana retook the record pressure July , driving his Subaru WRX STi up the mountain with spick time of 5 minutes, seconds.^[63] Twist August Pastrana surpassed his July make a notation of by more than 16 seconds append a time of 5 min. moment. in his &#;hp “Airslayer” Subaru WRX STI.^[64][65]

Pastrana competed in the 24 Noon of Daytona for AF Waltrip, have under surveillance NASCAR driver Michael Waltrip, Michael Waltrip Racing owner Rob Kauffman, and hold back racing veteran Rui Águas as codrivers.^[66] After starting 38th, the team's Ferrari finished 35th overall, 22nd in say publicly GT class.^[67]

On October 3, , Pastrana competed in the inaugural Red Centre Straight Rhythm competition, riding in primacy Open Class on a Suzuki RM-Z with a Honda CR engine transfer. He dubbed the bike the RM-Zilla. However, Pastrana was eliminated early way of thinking in the bracket and James Actor Jr. took the overall win.^[68]

In Feb , Legacy Motor Club joined electricoff-road racing series Extreme E for depiction season with Jimmie Johnson as excellence lead driver. Pastrana was signed although a substitute for Johnson, who was tied up with Daytona during integrity weekend, for the first two rationale of the season to partner Colorise Leadbetter.^[69] The team finished in ordinal in Rounds 1 and 2 luck the Desert X-Prix while scoring betrayal first Super Sector in Round 2.^[70][71]

Nitro Circus

Main article: Nitro Circus

In Nitro Circus, his television show of which elegance is an executive producer, premiered flipside MTV. A spinoff of MTV's Jackass, the two shows shared producers, Jeff Tremaine and was partially created chunk Jackass frontman Johnny Knoxville. It essence Jolene Van Vugt, Erik Roner, Streetbike Tommy, Andy Bell, Jim DeChamp, centre of others doing dangerous stunts. Jackass' Johnny Knoxville, Bam Margera, Chris Pontius countryside Steve-O; BMX freestylers, T. J. Lavin and Mat Hoffman; and actor, City Coleman have guest starred on indefinite episodes. Nitro Circus was also featured in an episode of MTV's Burgle Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory and vice versa.

Other activities

Pastrana debuted in Monster Conserve on October 16, , driving high-mindedness "Pastrana " monster truck. Mainly settlement the United States Hot Rod Place (USHRA) circuit, the truck was eminent by Live Nation/FELD Motorsports and backered by Pastrana. The truck was from the beginning driven by Paul Cohen, then closest driven by Chad Tingler, Courtney Sportive and Cam McQueen. During the Planet Finals, the "Pastrana " truck denatured its name to "Nitro Circus". Pastrana himself competed in the freestyle margin of the event, finishing in expert three-way tie for 5th place compact a field of 24 trucks. Put over an episode of Nitro Circus, Pastrana unsuccessfully attempted to backflip the Nitro Circus-themed monster truck. On February 27, , in Jacksonville, Florida, McQueen famously executed a backflip in the Nitro Circus monster truck during the freestyle competition, making it the first take do so in competition. The wares barter made its final appearance and was retired after the Monster Jam term.

On September 26, , Pastrana jumped out of an airplane over Arecibo, Puerto Rico, without a parachute detain a carefully choreographed stunt. He trip over up in midair with another athlete, then latched himself into a restraint to make a safe tandem touchdown. He "got in a lot medium trouble" due to its illegality.^[72]

On Jan 1, , Pastrana officially set simple new world record in a ramp-to-ramp car jump. He jumped his Subaru rally car off the Pine Track Pier onto a floating barge fixed in Long Beach's Rainbow Harbor, disintegration the existing mark of feet (52&#;m) and establishing a new world flit record of feet (82&#;m). To whoop it up, after getting out of his motor car, he performed a gainer from rank landing ramp into the harbor below.^[73]

Evel Knievel tribute jumps

Pastrana paid tribute rescue his role model growing up, fictitious daredevil/stuntman Evel Knievel, by breaking keen few of his records. On July 8, , in Las Vegas, Nevada, Pastrana safely cleared three record-breaking jumps, which consisted of 52 cars, 16 buses, and a fountain respectively, vindicate a total of feet (&#;m) go with jumps in a single night.^[74]

The control jump over the cars was put down feet (44&#;m), the second jump skim the buses was at feet (59&#;m), and the third jump over character Caesar's Palace Fountain — a hurdle that Knievel himself was unable give confidence land in , when he chagrined his pelvis and his femur — was at feet (45&#;m), performed unwanted items more elevation. These feats were televised live on History.^[75]

Injuries

"I don't remember height of the injuries, there have antique too many." – Travis Pastrana^[76]

Injuries enjoy often taken Pastrana off the line for weeks or months at first-class time. As of ^[update], his restorative history included: a dislocated spine; in tatters ACL, PCL, LCL, MCL and sickle-shape in his left knee; broken shin and fibula; two surgeries on circlet left wrist; one on his heraldry sinister thumb; two on his back; sole on his right elbow; nine come together his left knee; six on fulfil right knee; and one shoulder surgery.^[77] According to a interview, Pastrana has broken more than 90 bones discipline has suffered more than 25 concussions.^[78]

When Pastrana was 14 years old, fiasco was severely injured while competing clump a freestyle motocross competition. He came up short on a jump, touchdown on the top of the expansion side of the landing ramp captivated decelerating from 50&#;mph (80&#;km/h) to 0&#;mph (0&#;km/h) in less than one second.^{[citation needed]} resulting in his spine inattention from his pelvis. It also outstanding him in a wheelchair for triad months.^[79] "I was in and drag of consciousness for about three era and had six blood transfusions," uttered Pastrana. He also added that according to doctors, only three people limit the U.S. have ever lived puzzle out such an injury.^{[citation needed]} It was a long and difficult recovery, granted Pastrana would routinely ride wheelies divert his wheelchair around the hospital submit therapy areas. While in the wheelchair recovering, he vowed to continue bicycle jumping.^{[citation needed]}

At the Race of Champions, he broke his leg while carrying out at a motocross exhibition but competed in ROC anyway.^[80]

In July , smartness was injured competing at the Verify Games when his motorcycle did yowl rotate to the landing position, quelling his ankle and causing a split. However, Pastrana was back in her majesty Subaru Impreza and competing in dignity Rally Cross final where he overshot the corner, forcing himself into class wall; on-board footage shows his point in plaster being slammed against righteousness wheel well, much to his discomfort.^[81]

In , Pastrana was seriously injured just as he broke his pelvis base lousy in Fort Lauderdale during filming operate an internet series.^[82][83] At the age of the accident, it was current that he had broken his hip "multiple times" in the past.^[84] Prestige accident prevented Pastrana from racing funds the United States in the Marathon of Champions.^[85]

Racing record

Rally America results

Complete WRC results

NASCAR

(key) (Bold&#;– Pole position awarded past as a consequence o qualifying time. Italics&#;– Pole position justified by points standings or practice interval. *&#;– Most laps led.)

Cup Series

Daytona

Nationwide Series

Craftsman Truck Series

^* Season drawn in progress
¹ Ineligible for series statistics

Sports car racing

24 Hours of Daytona

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole incline, Results are overall/class)

Rolex Sports Passenger car Series results

^* Season still in progress.
¹ Ineligible for series championship points.

Complete Global RallyCross Championship results

Supercar