The Red Bull Experiment is still scheduled to go off in Las Vegas next Monday, on New Year's Eve. "The Experiment" was supposed to feature two crazy bastards doing ridiculously difficult tricks--both world record attempts. Rhys Millen, a movie stunt driver from New Zealand planned to attempt the first-ever backflip in an off-road racing truck. And Robbie Maddison, Aussie FMX hero, will attempt the longest jump ever (360 feet) on his Honda CR 500.

Note Millen's "was supposed to" and Maddison's "will attempt". Rhys Millen went and got himself injured last week, compressing two vertebrae in his back and breaking three in his neck, meaning he'll have to sit this year's Experiment out. Maddison, on the other hand is in as good shape as he can possibly be just being cleared by the doctors to ride again after breaking his leg earlier this year. "It broke my heart at first," Maddison said in an interview with San Diego's North County Times. "But a few weeks later (I) was able to take it in. I realized that it happened for a reason and it gave me peace. (Breaking my leg) was a part of molding me to become a champion."

His attempt to break the 300-foot barrier is something only one rider has successfully done, and that was Ryan Capes in 2005 when he landed a 310 foot jump. Capes was 100% healthy. Maddison will have a rod in his leg after his recent surgery. "I can picture it and believe in it and that's what's going to make this happen," Maddison said. "To have that on my side makes it not such a reckless thing for me.

"It's going to be insane. ... I can't wait. The feeling is going to be incredible. Flying that far on a motorcycle is the most incredible feeling you can have." Maddison currently holds world records for the longest jump on a 125cc motorcycle at 221 feet and the longest jump with a trick at 246 feet. But he has yet to do one in Vegas, a legendary place in motorcycle-jumping history a la Evel Knievel. "It's famous to do a stunt in Vegas -- Evel Knievel and Mike Metzger and all those guys who've done jumps here in the past, I'm just honored to be a part of it," said Maddison, who announced that his attempt will be dedicated to the late Knievel, who died in late November.

The Red Bull Experiment will be held this New Year's Eve in Las Vegas, outside the Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino. Maddison's jump will be made as the clock strikes midnight on Dec. 31.


photo: www.redbullusa.com/experiment
quotes: www.nctimes.com