Second Snake River Canyon jumper gets permit

TWIN FALLS, Idaho (AP) - Texas motorcycle stuntman Big Ed Beckley’s plans to repeat Evel Knievel’s attempted jump of the Snake River Canyon in south-central Idaho could be upstaged by a Hollywood stuntman with an earlier launch date. Jerome County commissioners approved a permit for a rocket-powered jump proposed by Scott Record and Scott Traux for Sept. 1, a week ahead of Beckley.

The Times-News reports (http://bit.ly/1cZ5nTd) the plan approved earlier this week involves taking off from private land in Jerome County and landing on private land in Twin Falls County, sidestepping public land restrictions and permits. Eddie Braun has been picked to guide the craft, making two daredevils this year with plans to rocket across the canyon and succeed where Knievel failed in 1974.

The county commission’s approval of the second jump is causing friction with the Twin Falls City Council, which has worked with Beckley and even annexed the land containing Knievel’s jump site. That’s where Beckley plans to launch. Braun would launch from the other side of the river.

The new event might “water (Beckley‘s) down a bit,” Twin Falls Mayor Don Hall said. Councilman Greg Lanting said the county plan sounds like the junior varsity, while “ours feels like the varsity.” The state last year awarded Beckley a lease to use the public land landing site of Knievel’s attempt, and Beckley in October paid $943,000 to the Idaho Department of Lands.

His company, Beckley Media LLC., was among several that placed bids for the rights to a two-year lease on the state endowment lands. All the money from the lease goes to the state’s public endowment, which helps support public schools. Omega Point Productions failed to get the lease, but can circumvent some requirements by using private land, officials said. That company was formed in Twin Falls by Record and Truax, whose father designed Knievel’s rocket that ended up a failure and parachuting into the canyon. They said they’ve designed a new rocket, and that it’s nearing completion. “This event is to clear my dad’s name and clear Evel’s name,” Truax said. “It is to cure history.” Beckley said he didn’t see a conflict between the two events.

“There’s no secrets here between us,” Beckley said. “There is no conflict between them and I.” Commissioner Charlie Howell said the county will face a challenge supporting both events that could each draw tens of thousands of people if they take place.

Jerome County Commissioner Cathy Roemer said a special informational meeting is planned Feb. 19.
“I put that together in response to several property owners who had contacted me with concerns, and they wanted to ask questions of Omega Point Productions,” Roemer said.


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Source: The Washington Times, Staff, January 23, 2014

Michigan motorcyclist injured in 30-foot fall during stunt at Saginaw circus

Promising Michigan FMX motorcycle rider Josh Headford was in fair condition today, according to hospital staff, following a horrific accident while performing at a circus at the Dow Event Center’s Wendler Arena in Saginaw on Sunday.

• Video: (Warning! Contains some profane language).

Headford, 20, who is from Helps, collided with a cable in midair during a high-flying ramp-to-ramp routine at the Elf Khurafeh Shrine Circus, then plummeted about 30 feet to the ground. He is being treated at Covenant HealthCare in Saginaw and underwent surgery Monday.

"Doctors surgically repaired Josh's right femur and right elbow," Scott Murray, Headford's manager and friend, told the Free Press today, as he traveled from Green Bay, Wis., to be with Headford after performing in a monster truck show. "He also has a fractured scapular and wrist, but these should heal on their own."

Murray, a veteran FMX freestyle competitor, said the crash "was very unfortunate."

"We are quite upset about the whole incident," said Murray, who said Headford was standing in for another rider at the show. "It's very disturbing. He did eight shows during the week, and everything had gone spectacular. It wasn't his first go at this. It was his last performance, and Josh counted on the track crew to move the cable.

"Josh's recovery may take four to six months. He may have permanent damage to the elbow. He'll move forward, and his spirits are up, but the whole thing is unfortunate. We're weighing all our options right now and hope the Shrine Circus will do the right thing by Josh."

Headford told the Associated Press before his surgery that he will ride again. "It's all I do. It's how I make a living."

FMX athletes perform at the X Games, among other events. On Saturday night at the Palace of Auburn Hills, many of the world’s best FMX riders will take part in the “Nuclear Cowboyz 2012” tour stop, which features daring freestyle motocross aerial feats, set in a Disney on Ice-type extravaganza.

FMX stunts, like those in “Nuclear Cowboyz,” are choreographed and rehearsed but still very dangerous. FMX legend Jeremy Lusk died while competing in a freestyle event in February 2009 in Costa Rica, and Jim McNeil was killed in while practicing for an exhibition jump in November 2011 at Texas Motor Speedway. Neither event was associated with “Nuclear Cowboyz.”

X Games medal winner and veteran freestyle rider Mike Mason, who will take part in Saturday’s “Nuclear Cowboyz” show, said the element of danger is always there in performing freestyle jumps, flips and somersaults.

“You can’t take anything for granted,” Mason, 30, told the Free Press by phone today. “There is always risk involved in freestyle competition and related shows. You just have to minimize it. You must learn to trust those you work with.”

Headford, who was wearing a helmet and pads, told the AP the cable should have been lowered or removed by circus staff.

"As soon as I saw the cable, it caught my bike, and I went flying. That was pretty much it," said Headford, who lives in Menominee County in the Upper Peninsula. "It was like hitting a brick wall. I thought I was done -- but I'm not."

He said it wasn't his responsibility to check for the cable. Circus owner Brett Carden said it's a risky business.

"What are you going to change?" Carden told The Saginaw News. "These are professionals, and they're supposed to check everything and make sure it's good to go."

Dion Mason of Saginaw said he witnessed the crash with four children.

"We thought it was part of the show," Mason told the AP. "Then there was just shock and disbelief. We were just like everyone else. We couldn't see the extent of the injuries, but we were shocked."

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source: Detroit Free Press (Brudnell, 2/7)



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