The promoter’s “Death Jump” puts him in the ICU

From Venues Today:
January 9th, 2011
Longtime motor sports promoter Ed Beckley crash landed during a practice run Friday, causing him to cancel his plans to attempt the big jump later that night in front of a crowd at the Maverik Center in West Valley City, Utah.

On Friday morning, Venues Today interviewed the 61-year-old Beckley before his planned jump. The 300-pound former daredevil said he was feeling very nervous about the stunt — the promoter hadn’t attempted a motorcycle jump in 17 years and had lost 90 pounds since his last attempt that he now still outweighed his 600cc  Harley-Davidson by only 70 lbs. On top of it, the bike badly needed a tuneup and much work went into the 18 year old motorcycle. Beckley said he had done zero practice for the stunt that was supposed to be the highlight of his Monster Truck Winter Nationals.

“I’m very nervous about making this jump,” he said, later adding, “I called my son Scott and we talked. I got things ready in case this goes badly.”

Things did go badly for Beckley — he crashed his motorcycle during rehearsals on his first attempt at the jump. Here’s how he recounts it:

“During the setup, I could tell I was going to need to move a lot of dirt to make it all fit, but I thought I could get a couple of practice jumps in first. I was using a ramp I had never used, but I calculated the run to land it just right. The ramp felt really fast — I was dropping two stories pretty damn quick. I thought I had enough speed. I made a run and headed back to the top of the takeoff ramp, and then turned around and everything seemed perfect. I took off, threw it into second gear, switched it into third and when I went to hit the takeoff ramp, that baby launched. I went straight up into the air. I was flying through the air, I thought all was good and then, oops, I saw that I was going to be short at the last minute.”

Beckley landed about 10 feet in front of the ramp and was able to ditch the bike into the dirt, but the impact of the landing ripped the front forks off the bike and sent the handlebars into his chest. While he didn’t sustain any broken bones, Beckley suffered a contusion on both his heart and lungs.
“From the top of my knees, all the way to my neck, I have one big giant bruise,” he said, adding that the incident landed him in the intensive care unit. “I feel like King Kong hit me in the chest with a frickin’ 12-pound sledge hammer,” he said.

Beckley said he should have practiced more — “and I felt really bad that afternoon. I thought I had the flu or a cold, but I later learned it was pneumonia — but I didn’t find that out until I crashed,” he said.

Beckley is a long time motor sports promoter and former daredevil, traveling the country in the 1960s, 70s and 80s as the “World’s Largest Motorcycle Jumper.” The last time he attempted a jump was in 1994, which ended badly when he crashed at the end of the landing ramp.

Beckley said there were at least two cell phone videos of the crash — he’s hoping to sell the footage to a television production company for a reality TV show he’s pitching to cable networks.

Perhaps the ultimate irony from Beckley’s failed jump was that the promoter had major reservations about attempting the stunt in the first place, but committed to making the attempt because he had already sold hundreds of tickets to the event.
“I wish I could have crashed in front of the crowd,” said Beckley, who asked his announcer to tell the audience who later showed up that the jump had been canceled.

Not to be deterred by his crash, Beckley said he’s going to make an another attempt at the Death Jump, a 95-foot leap over 12 cars from a two-story takeoff ramp with an apex height of 16 feet. His attempts will be Feb. 3 & 4th at Resistol Arena, Mesquite, Texas.

“I’m not done with jumping, but I am done with crashing,” he said.

Big Ed Almost made the jump at Salt Lake City!

News from Big Ed following the accident during the practice jump:     Hello everyone. First off I want to thank you for all the concern you all showed. To the Doctors and Nurses and Staff and Intermountain Hospital they have made my stay as comfortable as they can I thank them for everything they did for me keeping me alive and getting me on the road to recovery. I am still in the Trauma Unit and will be till at least tomorrow. There is not much of me that is not swollen or bruised or scratched or feels like hell attacked me. One thing for sure Hell might have attacked me but “something” kept me alive. I was on a new ramp system and failed to leave the take off ramp fast enuff. It put me about 20 feet in the air and ended up head first into the landing dirt ramp. The force ripped the top tripple clamp apart! It threw me forward of the bike and I ended up helmet first and chest first into the hard packed dirt. Wow. That was terrible I could not breathe. Went to the hospital when I came the emergency room they said my oxy levels were barely 50%. People die with more percentage and barely live with that number……..I was one. I believe my faith in Jesus Christ kept me alive with these great people in the hospital. Thanks to my friends for flooding my room it was awesome having them there all the way from Texas. I am going to bed now and hope to get to go home on Monday. I hurt all over but I can still smile.

THE BIG SHOW FRIDAY & SATURDAY SALT LAKE!

BIGFOOT BAD BOY is coming to the Maverik Center!

The ride BIG ED hopes to survive with!

MAVERIK CENTER JAN 6th & 7th THE Biggest of the BAD

Race fans are in for a treat this coming weekend in the Salt Lake area.  The premier Monster Truck show for Salt Lake and all of Utah for the last few years has roared into the E Center which is now called the MAVERIK Center. This venue is a great state of the art facility and we feel honored and lucky that we we were selected to bring the very first Motorsports event to the facility over 10 years ago.

This year we have assembled a great event which spectators have 3 chances to see this exciting show.  Monster Trucks will begin their competition with wheelie contest.   The trucks drive straight on to a stack of cars and romp on the throttle and stand the trucks up on the tailgate trying to win the approval of the crowd.  Crowd applause judge this part of the show.  Monster Trucks then are put in brackets to race side by side over dirt ramps and then we bring in the old cars and vans from Pick n Pull Salvage and turn them loose in the Freestyle Contest.

So far here is the list of trucks that have qualified to be in these races BIGFOOT BAD BOY, GHOST RYDER, DARE DEVIL, and hometown hot rodder Ron Duncombe in the MAVERIK TRAKKER!  We know you will agree these trucks are some of the best in the NATION and how to do you bigger than BIGFOOT and also this is the BAD BOY truck with former two time National Champ Larry Swim as the pilot and this event is the first round for the National Championship so the pressure is on all these trucks!

First on the slate is Friday night at 7:30pm and then Saturday afternoon at 2pm and finals are Saturday night 7:30pm.  When we started putting together this year’s show inside the Maverik Center it was apparent that our own BIG Ed Beckley was going to be part of this year’s event.  3 shows have always been on the schedule January 6th at 7:30pm and January 7th at 2pm and 7:30pm.   Monster trucks in the line-up are some of the best ever including WORLD FAMOUS BIGFOOT the King of the Monster Trucks.

Monster Trucks will be in competition and Ed is the company CEO and he was a motorcycle stunt jumper back in the 70-80-90′s with a very colorful career for the nearly 30 years.  BIG Ed as he is known has not jumped a motorcycle off a ramp over cars since 1994 and that jump in Amarillo ended with a crash up into the grandstands.  “The bike just would not stop and I hit the hay bales and went flying end over end up into the grandstand and landed next to a fat lady that jumped up and wet herself she was so scared!  I was not hurt but decided to hang it up.”   So why has Beckley decided to come out of retirement after nearly 20 years?   “Because I am in better shape physically that I was when I was 30 and now at 61 years old I am still Rock N and Rollin’ and Struttin’ and Stollin’ and I am ready to fly this Harley jump bike!”

So with BIG ED on his 25 year old Harley 600 cc dirt bike he plans to ride his rock n roll machine after not getting his new bike finished.  ”We decided on Christmas week that it was just to much to do to get that new Harley here so we took my old bike off the display in my office and started working on it last week.   We basically totally rebuilt this bike but remember it was first built in 1988 and has been sitting since 1994. and I have not had a chance to practice of even ride the bike yet.  Plans are for us to arrive in Salt Lake on Wednesday and Thursday evening the ramps will be build and then I can practice,” said BIG Ed Beckley.  Plans are for BIG Ed and his high flying Harley to start up in the grandstand and come dropping down to the floor on a ski ramp and then jump over a long line of cars and vans and then go out the back door of the arena.  Bring your camera for this one you will see history made.

FRIDAY and SATURDAY January 6th 7:30pm & 7th – 2pm and 7:30PM

Monster Truck Winternationals Featuring: Side by Side Monster Truck Racing plus Car Crushing Freestyle Competition.

Each show features these trucks: BIGFOOT, Maverik MONSTER TRAKKER, GHOST RYDER, DAREDEVIL and more to be announced.

* Plus ride in a real monster truck! (Additional fee charged for rides)

THRILL EVENT:

SEE the WORLD’S LARGEST MOTORCYCLE JUMPER; 300lb BIG ED BECKLEY, on his high flying 600cc Harley-Davidson, attempts a death jump each show!
*Beckley has not jumped since 1994 & this JUMP is either going to make history or he will BE HISTORY!

PLUS TUFF TRUCKS
Local and area drivers with their street pick-ups and jeeps race one at a time over an obstacle course to see who has the toughest truck and the best driver in UTAH!

EVENT TIMES:

Friday & Saturday Night
– Gates Open:  6:00PM
– VIP Pit Party:  6:30PM
– Show Time:  7:30PM

Saturday Afternoon
– Gates Open:  12:30PM
– Show Time:  2:00PM
– Sorry no pit party on Saturday afternoon event.

TICKET INFORMATION:

Lower Bowl VIP Seating: (VIP ticket holders get into the Pit Party free)

Adults $25  Kids $15

Upper Bowl Side Seating:

Adults $17  / Kids $10

Upper Bowl End Seating (TreadHead):

Adults $12 net  / Kids $5

-Ticket prices do not include any applicable box office and/or other surcharges.
- This is an indoor motorsports event – loud noise and some exhaust fumes should be expected.
- No video cameras or professional extended lens cameras allowed.
- Show length approximately 3 hours.

www.checkeredflagproductions.com or call 940-683-4742 for more information

Tickets on sale now!

Tickets will be available for purchase at the Maverik Center box office, www.ticketmaster.com and 800-745-3000.  Tickets are subject to applicable service charges. Event time and date are subject to change.

RACER HOTEL HEADQUARTERS

COUNTRY INN & SUITES  (Located right next door to the Arena)  3422 South Decker Lake – West Valley City,
Phone: 801-  908-0311 ask for the Racer Rate $ 69 dollars plus tax.
- Ticket prices do not include any applicable box office and/or other surcharges.
- This is an indoor motorsports event – loud noise and some exhaust fumes should be expected. Not recommended for children under 2 years old.
- No video cameras or professional extended lens cameras allowed.
- Show length approximately 3 hours. www.checkeredflagproductions.com  or call 940-683-4742 for more information

Charlotte MOTOCROSS and MONSTERS!

The BAD BOYS OF RACING will bring the BAD BOYS ARENACROSS PRO NATIONALS with all the best riders from Pro riders to the Amateurs including classes for youth ages 4-6 year olds and this year 3 of the BIGGEST and BADDEST  Monster Trucks will also be in competition.

Last year Curt McCabe from Iowa on his STORM LAKE HONDA’s basically dominated the weekend and set in motion for him to win his first National Championship.

North Carolina and the surrounding area has plenty of their own talent including Jim Neese.  Jim has been a winner for a long time and is heavily involved in teaching and mentoring young riders.  Neese took his YZ 250cc stroke Yamaha to the front and if he could have done every lap like he did the first he would have won.  Neese will be one to look at this year as he is determined to put his ride on top of the box.

BIGFOOT a FORD, STRAIT JACKET an old skool FORD, and CLYDESDALE a CHEVY will be in a showdown with Monster side by side racing and then after all the arenacross races are done the CFP Crew will be bringing in a stack of junk cars in the arena and turn them trucks loose for a wild freestyle car crushing contests!

Read more here:

VENUE INFORMATION

Bojangles’ Coliseum
2700 East Independence Boulevard
Charlotte, North Carolina 28277
Phone: 704.372.3600
Website: www.BojanglesColiseum.com

TICKET INFORMATION

TICKET INFORMATION (On Sale Now)
VIP Lower Level Ticket Prices:
- Adults: . . . .$22
- Children: . . $15
VIP TICKETS include a free pit party where you can meet the drivers and riders up close as well as the Monster Trucks and the best seats in the house!

Super Value Upper Level Ticket Prices:
- Adults: . . . . .$17
- Children: . . . $ 10

Tread Head Ticket Prices:
- Adults: . . . . .$12
- Children: . . . .$ 5

- Get Your Tickets Early As All Ticket Prices Increase $2 Day of Show!

Advance Ticket Outlets:
- Bojangles’ Coliseum Box Office and other TicketMaster outlets
- Online: www.BojanglesColiseum.com
- Charge tickets by phone: 800.745.3000

Racer Entry Information:

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

- Ticket prices may not include any applicable surcharges.
- Loud noise and some exhaust fumes expected.
- Not recommended for children under 2 years old.
- No video cameras or professional extended lens cameras allowed.
- Show length approximately 3 hours.

Racer Entry Information: Contact Checkered Flag Productions 940.683.4742Media Information:

Cincy Gardens Jan 14th Monsters and Arenacross!

See BIGFOOT’s BAD BOY LARRY SWIM – ONLY IN THE CINCY GARDENS!!

• Monster Trucks Including these TV Stars!
  - Bigfoot Bad Boy ( 2 time National Champion)
  - Clydesdale
  - Defender
  - Eliminator 
  Monster Truck Competition and it is going to be WILD!
  Wheelie Contest, Spiral Donut Contest, Biggest Air, and Car Crushing contests.
  If you are sitting in the VIP section you might end up being a freestyle judge!
• BAD BOYS OF ARENACROSS –
  
• 
  
• ARENACROSS ENTRY BLANK and INFORMATION CLICK HERE

  See local riders take on the best from the surrounding state & region as these Motocross Racers compete for cash and trophies on a Supercross style race track

• Ticket prices $2 more day of show

• Ticket prices may not include any applicable surcharges.
  - Loud noise and some exhaust fumes expected.
  - Not recommended for children under 2 years old.
  - No video cameras or professional extended lens cameras allowed.
  - No coolers or brought in food.
  - Show length approximately 2 1/2 hours.
• Media Information:
  For Press Credentials please contact the Checkered Flag Productions Office 940.683.4742
  Newspapers: Hi-resolution action photos and news releases are available.

Ms Arenacross

Special shout to our little buddie Chelsea Sanders and her mom Veronica.

These two decided on Tuesday they were going to drive from Chicago to Casper to the Arenacross races!   Arriving a few days early she took part in TV interviews, Radio interviews and also she was heavily involved in the Make A Wish special on Thursday with Bigfoot Bad Boy.  Also appearing on the KTED 100.5 Rock station as we diffidently has the attention from the fans with Ms Bad Boys Arenacross around!

Veronica has already loaded up a huge amount of pictures on the Checkered Flag face book website and also the Bad Boys of Racing face book websites just go there and like the page and you are welcome to look around on their for some great pictures.

Thanks Sanders family!

Monster Trucks keep on surprising us!

When we knew that KING KRUNCH with David Smith was going to be part of the show in Billings and Casper we knew the drivers had their work cut out for them.

David is on the Monster Jam TV show a bunch and he can dang sure drive that truck in racing and freestyle.

In Billings he won Racing and got second in Freestyle.  In the main event in racing he won over Jon Zimmer in Amsoil Shock Therapy  and then Zimmer repaid the favor and beat him in Freestyle.

So a week later and we have the same scene in Casper!!

Crazy how those things work out but it was incredible two weeks in Montana and Wyoming.

Now we hit the road in January with two shows on Jan 6-7th  - Those two races in in Charlotte, North Carolina and also in Salt Lake C ity, Utah.

A whole new line-up of trucks this year has everyone talking just wait til you hear who is going to those two shows!!

BAD BOYS THANKS —-read more

We first would like to thank the riders who made the races in Casper, Wyoming and Salem, Virginia  this past weekend.

The racing was awesome and we are very glad to report no injuries and both events were great racing.

In Casper the Arenacross has gotten huge and it is almost certain that all who were there to race loved the race track.

Salem was ran by the Klingers from Reads Racing and they do a huge job of track building and running the show and we appreciate them taking if on in Salem.

This past weekend it was apparent we have done the right thing by adding Jon Heddon to the team and we are so proud of the job he did in Casper.  Also to Shawn Hardman who took over where his dad left off and he did a great job and he learned allot by being the point man.

Thanks to everyone!

Thanks to Idaho!

Wow Idaho we thank you for the craziness!  You my friends are some of the best crowds we have ever seen.

Saturday we were in Blackfoot, Idaho and the crowds were awesome!  Even the Saturday afternoon crowd was on their feet cheering every move the monsters made and they all we nutz for the motorcycle freestyle action.

Bill Payne in Rock Star showed them all he was the wildest and won the spectators over with a crazy freestyle with his girlfriend riding in the passenger seat!!

Captain USA and Double Trouble were outstanding also and we are looking forward to seeing them again in Pasco Nov 11th and 12th.

California Kid was awesome both shows but his endo on Saturday afternoon show blew em away when he kept going after rolling end over end forward!

The boys from Osiris Monster Truck showed they have heart.  Now all they need is a ground shaker motor and these guys will be a force to be reckoned with.

Check out what people have to say over on our face book site an d while you are there like our page and be part of the CFP NATION!

Our thanks go to our friend Craig Wilson for all he did for us this week and to our crew in our office as well as Mike Fonder, Matt and Angie Phillips for all their help.  Also a thank you to the Snake River 4×4 club for being our track crew in Blackfoot.

A shout out to our event sponsors Matt Phillips Excavating, Pro Rentals and the Blackfoot Super 8 for their help.

Thanks again Idaho we shall see you Saturday night April 21st for the MONSTER TRUCK GRAND NATIONALS in Pocatello!

Thanks Western Kansas!

We just finished with a great two day race in Garden City, Kansas at the Finney County Fairgrounds.

This was such a homecoming emotional time for me and to have good friends to share if with and then getting to put on a great Monster Truck show even made it better.

Devin Jones with BARBARIAN who won the CFP WINTER NATIONALS  SERIES this past year was on a roll!   He won nearly every race and wheelie and freestyle contest he was in this past weekend.

Thanks to Larry Quick for two completed back flips in Garden City – and the BUDWEISER  MONSTER TRUCK SUMMER  NATIONALS is history for the 2011 season and we are going to see you in June of 2012.

« Previous Page — Next Page »