Monday, September 22

Capes Breaks World Motorcycle Distance Jumping Record

By Dave Finger
EXPN.com

On Friday, September 19, Ryan Capes broke the world distance record for motorcycle jumping at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Capes, the 23-year-old Whidbey Island, WA native, jumped his specially modified Honda 250cc dirtbike 260 feet, breaking the previous record of 253 feet, held by Jason Rennie of Great Britain.

"Well done to Ryan capes for his 260 footer," said Jason Rennie on a jonnyairtime.com message board, adding, "Have a great party dude, you deserve it. You are definitely number one."

Ryan hit his custom distance-jumping ramp at 72 mph in fourth gear with a ramp-to-dirt gap distance of 210 feet, landing 50 feet down the dirt ramp and breaking the record. Ryan's goal is to jump a distance greater than 300 feet during his career; the fact that he broke the record with one gear left is good news.

"That was only in fourth gear," said Ryan after the jump. "Fifth is going to be a whole 'nother world."

This was Ryan's second attempt at 260. His first attempt in March of 2003 at his Machias, Wash. jump site left Ryan six-feet short of tying the 253-foot record.

Measuring the distance was Bret Holloway of H&H Productions. Professional distance jumper Johnny Airtime, who was also on hand to witness the set-up, is supporting the claim of a 260-foot jump.

For more information, including photos and video, of Ryan's previous attempts see Ryan Capes, Road to the Record

For more information on the jump, check out the message boards at www.johnnyairtime.com