RONNIE RECORD: MOTOCROSS STAR RONNIE RENNER BREAKS BIG AIR WORLD RECORD AT RED BULL HIGH RISE

photo courtesy Red Bull, Garth Milan
Courtesy of Red Bull

CHICAGO, IL (July 25, 2009) – Unparalleled insanity met high hopes in the friendly confines of Chicago’s Butler Field at Grant Park as professional motocross athlete Ronnie Renner broke his own Guinness World Record for highest motorcycle jump off a quarterpipe. Thousands of excited fans from all over the Midwest huddled together in anticipation and watched as Renner fearlessly approached the imposing ramp, which featured Chicago’s world famous skyline as the backdrop. On his third attempt, Renner launched himself an astounding 63 feet 5 inches above the ground, eclipsing the record he set a year ago.

Witness Ronnie Renner's world record at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAOxC8KQU8E&feature=channel_page

“It’s been crazy. I’m so pumped to have done it,” said Renner after his jumps. “What a killer vibe! All these people coming out to see me and they were psyched. I could hear the crowd cheering.”

Guinness World Records certified Renner’s highest jump, which was officially measured from the top of the 22-foot-tall quarterpipe, as 41 feet 5 inches from the top of the ramp (63 feet 5 inches high, total).

“I was super excited to come but didn’t really know what to expect,” said Lindsey Marlow, a fan. “I’ve seen a lot of motocross events, but Ronnie’s jump was amazing!”

Immediately following Red Bull High Rise, Renner jumped on a yacht to be a part of Chicago’s 52 ^nd Annual Venetian Night as the last boat of the evening. Adding his usual touch, he played air guitar as he sailed down Lake Michigan. During Renner’s time in Chicago, he witnessed both a White Sox and Cubs game, priding himself on being a non-biased fan. Unfortunately, he missed the Mark Buehrle’s perfect game by a day.

Renner’s Resume

Ronnie set his initial world record in 2008 on the Santa Monica Pier by jumping 59’2” above the ground. After that jump, he knew he could go higher, and under an ominous Chicago sky, he did. When asked what he planned to do next, Renner stated, “Between myself and Red Bull, we’re bound to come up with something crazy.”

Renner is a respected freestyle motocross veteran whose credentials include a gold medal in Moto X Step Up at the 2007 Summer X Games, and the Step Up world record. He will participate in the X Games next weekend, competing in the Moto X Step Up and Best Whip events.

Renner’s jump completed yet another amazing chapter of world-firsts, following the record-shattering performances of fellow motocross sensation Robbie Maddison and BMX star Kevin Robinson. Maddison jumped the length of a football field in front of thousands on New Year’s Eve 2007, clearing 322 feet in Las Vegas. Last June, Robinson soared 27 feet above the lip of a huge quarterpipe (54 feet above the ground) in New York’s Central Park to set the BMX big air world record.

Cycle World International Motorcycle Shows Releases 2009-2010 Schedule

Press Release from Cycle World International Motorcycle Shows

The Cycle World International Motorcycle Shows will launch its 2009-2010 tour this November in Dallas, and will visit nine more cities before concluding the tour next February in Chicago.

Organizers at Advanstar Communications Inc., producer of the show series (and parent of Dealernews.com), will launch the 29th season visiting fewer cities than in years’ past, in part due to city-specific factors and input received from vehicle manufacturers and other exhibitors. Off this year’s roster are motorcycle shows previously held in Houston and Phoenix.

“Each market was carefully screened and evaluated, and 11 markets were chosen based on their geographic location, market strength and the audience they deliver,” said Jeff D’Entremont, show director at Advanstar. Even with a reduced tour season, “our shows deliver a highly qualified buying audience who will spend over $4.5 billion on their passion in the next 12 months,” he noted.

The 2009-2010 tour kicks off Nov. 13-15 at the Dallas Convention Center. The Dallas show is followed by San Mateo, Calif. (Nov. 20-22), Long Beach, Calif. (Dec. 4-6), Seattle, Wash. (Dec. 11-13), Novi, Mich. (Jan. 1-3), Greenville, S.C. (Jan. 8-10), Washington, D.C. (Jan. 15-17), New York (Jan. 22-24), Cleveland (Jan. 29-31), Minneapolis (Feb. 5-7) and Chicago (Feb. 19-21).

Cycle World magazine returns for the 17th year as the title sponsor of the world’s largest motorcycle show series. For more information on attending or exhibiting, call 800.331-5706 or visit www.motorcycleshows.com.

Red Bull High Rise: Ronnie Renner Aims to go Higher, this time in Chicago

Press Release from Red Bull
CHICAGO, IL (June 30, 2009) – Chicago’s renowned skyscrapers will share the sky with motocross superstar Ronnie Renner on Saturday, July 25. The Windy City will watch as Renner attempts to break his own Guinness World Record for the highest air ever attained on a motorcycle at Red Bull High Rise. He will go sky-high at Butler Field prior to Chicago’s annual Venetian Night, adding a new spin to an old tradition.

Renner is a respected freestyle motocross veteran whose credentials include a gold medal in Step-Up at the 2007 Summer X Games and the Step-Up world record. He set his original quarterpipe big air world record by jumping an amazing 59 feet, 2 inches in July, 2008. In 2009, he will attempt to beat this record by launching sky-high onto a massive custom-built steel landing ramp measuring 64 feet wide and 30 feet tall.

Why Chicago? Why not? “While I was thrilled with being able to set the initial world record last year, I know I can push myself to achieve a better height, and Chicago is one of the best places to be in the summer,” said Renner. “Plus it added another component to my training regimen – I need to train my stomach to prepare for Chicago cuisine; especially the deep dish pizza!”

Renner has been training at the exclusive Red Bull Compound in Southern California in preparation for his big night on a modular quarterpipe built specifically for him. The Compound is a one-of-a-kind training facility that Red Bull provides its athletes to equip them with the support they need in order to achieve their wildest dreams.

WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF RED BULL
Renner’s jump completes yet another amazing chapter of world-firsts, following the record-shattering performances of fellow motocross sensation Robbie Maddison and BMX star Kevin Robinson. Maddison jumped the length of a football field in front of thousands on New Year’s Eve 2007, clearing 322 feet in Las Vegas. Last June, Robinson soared 27 feet above the lip of a huge quarterpipe (54 feet above the ground) in New York’s Central Park to set the BMX big air world record.

VENETIAN NIGHT!
Presented by the City of Chicago, the 52nd Annual Venetian Night is expected to draw more than half a million people to the lakefront. In addition to Renner’s world record attempt, the evening kicks off at 7:45 p.m. with the Chicago Fire Department's Air/Sea Rescue re-enactment. Immediately following at 8:15 p.m. the boat parade begins, culminating with a spectacular fireworks display at 9:00 p.m. People of all ages begin to stake out spots along the lakefront in the early morning to ensure a good view of this popular event. Admission to the event is free.

Red Bull High Rise is free and open to the public. Renner’s world record attempts will take place from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Butler Field. Parking is limited – it is recommended to walk, bike, or the CTA. For CTA information, visit www.transitchicago.org or call 1-888-YOUR-CTA.

For more information about the event, visit www.redbullusa.com/highrise. For hi-res images, free for media use, visit www.redbull-photofiles.com.