Update: Dec 24th – Rhys Millen was apparently injured during testing for the stunt. Unconfirmed reports indicate the ramp failed during a practice run and launched Rhys outside of the safety zone. More details as they are released.

Update Dec 25th – Quote from Rhys Millen – “After successfully landing the 360-degree backflip three times into the cardboard boxes in training, I am disappointed that our last jump ended in an accident. As I lay here in the hospital with three broken vertebrae in my neck and two compressed and broken vertebrae in my back, I am also disappointed that we cannot perform the 360-degree backflip at the Red Bull Experiment on New Year’s Eve, but I’m happy that I will be able to walk again. I look forward to watching Robbie Maddison do his 300-plus-foot motorcycle jump in Las Vegas.”

Rhys Millen attempts racing truck backflip on New Years.

Rhys Millen, as part of the Red Bull Experiment, attempts a world first racing truck backflip Monday Dec 31st, 2007. The world record attempt is part of the ESPN “New Year. No Limits” event to be shown live to millions of viewers. The event will also be held in front of thousands of Las Vegas fans at the Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino. For everyone’s sake it had also better be “no problems” when all is said and done. Catastrophic failure here would also set a world precedence.

Performing a backflip inside a closed compartment race truck is very different from doing so on an ATV or motocross motorcycle. On an ATV the rider can compensate for spin, angles and rotation by either moving his/her body or by tapping the accelerator or brakes to control wheel spin forces. Rhys Millen won’t have those luxuries, the launch must be perfect.

As you can see on the image provided by Red Bull there is a small lip at the top of the ramp to induce the backspin. I can only imaging that the front wheels will hit the lip hard and the lip will fade away so that the rear tires don’t cause the truck to spin forward instead of backwards. I’m sure these guys are pros, the level of danger however is great, there is simply no room for error so get your TiVo ready and wish Rhys Millen luck!

Robbie Maddison will also be attempting a distance record motorcycle jump. No word yet on whether or not the Crusty Demons will increase their March record distance attempt if Robbie succeeds. 2008 is starting out with a bang!

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