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Caleb
Moore practiced the back flip well after dark
in preparation for making his first attempt
to dirt
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Michigan (12/2/06) -
Caleb Moore successfully landed six ATV backflips
to dirt in Michigan on Thursday, November 16, 2006
in preparation for performing the backflip in front
of packed stadium in Canada on Saturday during the
Monster Spectacular. Christian Gagnon was originally
scheduled to perform the backflip at the show for
H-Bomb Films, but he broke his leg while attempting
a backflip at the Weston Beach Race in Europe several
weeks ago.
Caleb Moore’s quest to complete a backflip
began over one year when he attempted the backflip
several times in a foam pit, but wasn’t able
to perfect the move to even think about attempting
it to dirt. several weeks ago, Caleb made the trip
from Krum, TX to Scott Murray’s foam pit in
Michigan, and after nearly 100 attempts over two
days, Caleb began to perfect the backflip.
Before Caleb could attempt the backflip to dirt,
he needed to leave and travel down to Pigeon Forge,
TN for the ATVA Motocross Banquet. After celebrating
his motocross accomplishments at the banquet, he
returned to Michigan to continue his backflip training,
and after 50 more attempts into the foam pit,, he
made the transition to dirt on Thursday, November
16th.
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Caleb
Moore's first attempt to dirt didn't goes
as planned when he was launched off the ATV
in mid-air
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The first backflip attempt to dirt didn’t
go as expected when Caleb pulled back on the ATV
too early and ended up being launched off the back
of the ATV. Luckily, Caleb wasn’t injuried
from the fall, but the Honda 450R ATV was seriously
damaged and needed a new rear fender, grab bar,
and exhaust. After spending one hour repairing the
ATV, Caleb made his second attempt and landed his
first Backflip to dirt over 55 foot gap. Caleb would
then go on to complete the rotation 5 more times
successfully, which provided him the confidence
to make the trip to Canada and make his attempt
for thousands of screaming fans to witness.
Caleb inspired Scott Murray to attempt the backflip
to dirt as well, and he succesfully landed his backflip
to dirt later that evening on a stock Honda 450R,
which makes him apparently the 6th Person to ever
land a backflip to dirt.
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Caleb
Moore's First Succesfull ATV Back-Flip to
Dirt |
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Friday, November 17th, November 18th, Saturday
Night between 7-11PM Eastern Time, Caleb Moore will
perform the backflip at the Monster Spectacular,
and we can only wish him the best in achieving his
ultimate freestyle goal.
Friday, November 17th, Caleb left for Montreal,
Canada, but his weekend didn’t get off to
a good start after he dropped off his ATV and ramp
at Olympic Stadium, he went out to diner. While
he was in the restaurant, his 1999 Ford F350 was
stolen out of the parking lot along with his riding
gear and other belongings. Without any riding gear,
it appeared that Caleb’s back flip was also
going to disappear as well, but a local dealer donated
Caleb riding gear, which saved the day.
Caleb arrived early on Saturday to setup for the
back flip over a 55 foot gap with school bus built
into the dirt landing ramp. He decided to do attempt
the backflip during practice despite pleas for others
to wait for the show incase something would go wrong,
but Caleb was determined to do a practice back flip.
One his first attempt he slightly over-rotated,
but still landed it on all four wheels, so he lowered
the front of the ramp down approximately 1.5 degrees
to a 51 degree pitch for the show.
Before Caleb would attempt his back flip, nearly
51,000 spectators watched the video of Christian
Gagno’s crash at the Weston Beach race, which
emphasized the danger Caleb faced with his ATV back
flip attempt. Shortly afterwards, Caleb made his
run at the ramp and pulled a perfect rotation and
landing, which had the crowd going wild.
Thankfully, Caleb successfully landed the backflip,
and knowing Caleb, it won't be long till he begins
attempting back flip variations and pushing ATV
Freestyle to another level along with H-Bomb's Christian
Gagno & Akraix's Jon & Derek Guetter.
