VIDEO: Rhys Millen New Year's Eve truck backflip... almost
Click above to watch video after the jump
When automotive mad man Rhys Millen broke five vertebrae attempting to back flip the Red Bull trophy truck, it only made him want to try it again. The drift king set the stage for redemption on New Years Eve with the truck, ramp and huge crowd on national television for all to see. ESPN even had the obligatory live-cam shot of Millen's concerned wife to lend some extra drama to the daring jump. The magnificent Millen hit the ramp at speed, executed a near perfect back flip, then proceeded to roll his trophy truck. The rear passenger wheel touched down just before its parallel partner, resulting in a messy landing that left Millen's truck at its side.
Luckily, this time Millen walked away from the crash without any serious injuries, but his pride was still hurt. Millen did perform a mid-air back flip, but he doesn't count that for anything because "It's nothing unless you drive away." Fair enough. You know what they say, though, if you fall off the bike, you have to get back on and try again. Something tells us this isn't the last we've seen of Rhys Millen and back-flipping trophy trunks. At least we hope not. Hit the jump to see rolling footage of the back flip and crash.
[Source: YouTube]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
tankd0g 1:11PM (1/02/2009)
Wow, I thought from the lack of video on this stunt that something really bad happened. All that seems to be available is people pointing video cameras at their TV screens for some reason, and this one from a spectator.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRCgNixPYfs
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xpolarx 1:16PM (1/02/2009)
Eh, that was pretty close. Maybe if they softened the rebound on the shocks...
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Name 6:42AM (1/03/2009)
Or haw a wank before.
ts 6:41PM (1/02/2009)
rhys said that most shock tech was done with emphasis on take off to set up rotation. not much was done for landing. i think if his engine was running on landing, he could of pulled it out. he's been out of sorts many times in his racing career. he was running a carb which flooded out when upside down. if you note from the videos there was no acceleration from wheels while landing. rhys said if they were running f.i. he might have been able to pull it out. also he announced that his wife found out the day before the jump that their going to have their first child. he was reluctant to say he would attempt again. i'm sure he has accomplished this in practice. happy new year to all.
Benfolio 8:35PM (1/02/2009)
Yeah I was gonna say he SO could have steered left (instead of right, look at the front wheels upon landing) and powered out of that roll.
Keith 1:28PM (1/02/2009)
I think it's kind of funny that Red Bull planned ahead for him rolling the vehicle and painted advertisements on the undercarriage.
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pcrager 1:54PM (1/02/2009)
Obligatory: he was doing a _flip_. The ad would be seen whether he botched the landing or not.
Keith 2:20PM (1/02/2009)
But only for a split second. Look at the flip. It's pretty quick. They were hoping for some quality TV time with him on his side!
Epyx 2:29PM (1/02/2009)
I am sure they had still shots in mind for the undercarriage logo.
Typesbad 1:42PM (1/02/2009)
Pretty tough to have both rear wheels hit at the same time. I guess that is why this stunt is more common for motorcycles.
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Cory O'Brien 1:46PM (1/02/2009)
The quality of the above video is a little... low. Here's the HD version of Rhy's backflip and Robbie Maddison's 96 ft. motorcycle jump: http://tinyurl.com/7qdgg2
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wtf99 1:51PM (1/02/2009)
I question the need for a trophy truck doing a backflip. It doesn't interest me in the least. Lets see a boat do that and then you'll have my interest. Trucks seem to have lost their niche in motorsports.
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Nightcrawler 2:32PM (1/02/2009)
@wtf99
Of course there is no need to back flip a truck. There's no need to do any of these kind of stunts. It's just entertaining to watch.
Epyx 2:34PM (1/02/2009)
Yes, why bring logic into this!
Man-card - revoked
sitruc 1:52PM (1/02/2009)
Before he attempted the flip, it sounded like he wouldn't be able to land it and drive away. I didn't doubt he would get the flip, but had a good idea he wouldn't stick the landing and drive away.
I thought the bike fall was more impressive again and you could tell he was too fast and far as soon as he fell from the "Arc de Triomphe." ESPN handled it all pretty poorly. It was obvious he broke his hand when he hit the ramp hard and they didn't even notice it even though he wanted attention for it and was holding it up for all to see. Meanwhile, he's trying not to cry and they interview him while his wife attends him wearing a white jacket she doesn't want to get blood on.
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Eric Liberatore 2:11PM (1/02/2009)
I noticed his hands stayed on the wheel the whole time. Ever notice race car drivers in the in-car videos release the wheel before impact to avoid breaking wrists and such?
Rocketboy 5:11PM (1/02/2009)
According to news reports, he just went to the hospital to get the wound stitched, and he was back partying. I'm sure he was ready to cry due to the huge endorphine rush, that, and seeing his life flash before his eyes.
Epyx 2:28PM (1/02/2009)
The Motorcycle thing was way more impressive. Jumping the bike takes rider skill not just well planned physics and engineering. The Truck could be remote controlled as easily as it is piloted. Cant do the same with a bike.
Now you have to be one crazy SOB to put yourself in the truck being flipped but still not as impressive as the bike stunt - which was awesome!
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Epyx 2:33PM (1/02/2009)
Anyone notice the lame jump on FOX airing at the same time? Evil Canevil's (sp?) kid jumped over the volcano at at a Casino in Vegas. Big freaking deal. He did it to commemorate when his dad did it. Of course his dad did it on a heavy Harley and not an enduro bike and he was doing a jump before the era of X-Games and such. Jumping over a volcano is just not that impressive anymore.
FOX made it so dramatic it was comical. They had all these computer renderings showing him missing the jump and catching fire in the volcano - it was hilarious.
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sanimalp 3:22PM (1/02/2009)
Thanks to not having cable, i saw that bullsh*t... he didn't even jump the volcano.. he just flew through the air in front of it. LAME..