Gilks to attempt World Record jump
Australia’s youngest freestyle motocross world record holder Tyrone Gilks will attempt a new world record jump.
Grand Slam International (GSI) today announced that Australia’s youngest freestyle motocross world record holder Tyrone Gilks, will attempt a new 200ft world record jump on 23rd October 2008 at an abandoned air strip near Newcastle.
Gilks plans to fly his Yamaha YZ 85cc over a 200ft ramp to dirt ramp landing to become the world record holder for his age (14 years), the CC capacity (85cc) and the set-up (ramp to dirt ramp landing). "I’ve been preparing for this jump for the past 12 months and now that everything is ready to go, I’m just pumped," said Gilks. "My previous jumps have all generated a great response from extreme action sport fans but I think this will exceed anything I ever done before."
"There’s no doubt that this is a big step up, but with Yahama and a great team behind me, I’m looking forward to the challenge."
Gilks has previously set the world record for the ramp to ramp record, (169.6ft set in Butte, Montana USA 2006), at the age of 12yrs. Gilks set his first unofficial world record on a 65cc motorcycle at 97ft ramp to dirt while only 10 years old. The following year Gilks set the world record by jumping 112ft ramp to dirt on a 65cc motorcycle. He then successfully broke his own world record by jumping 114ft ramp to dirt on a 65cc motorcycle to set the World Record for CC capacity and distance.
At the age of twelve, Gilks was invited to set a new World Record on an 85cc motorcycle at Knievel Days in Butte, Montana USA. This jump was in front of Evil Knievel and most of the Worlds most renowned and respected distance jumpers and Dare Devils whom acknowledged Gilks ability and skill.
No stranger to big crowds, Tyrone successfully jumped an unbelievable 169.6ft ramp to ramp, and set the World Record for an 85cc motorcycle in front of 15 000 spectators. He is the youngest and only person of his age in the world to do this. At present he is also the youngest person in the world to back flip a full size 85cc motorcycle to dirt.
Tyrone Gilks is proudly sponsored by: Yamaha Australia, Fox, Dunlop, Ogio, White Knuckle Grips, Pro-Moto Suspension, Greame Boyd Promotions, KRG Excavations and supporters J&C Sheetmetal, Barker Harle Engineering, Johnson Property Group.
