Travis Pastrana is one of the most fearless athletes in extreme sports. Known for pulling off stunts that push the boundaries of what’s possible, he’s a legend in motocross, rally, and freestyle BMX. With Nitro Circus, he’s taken these wild ideas to a global audience, thrilling fans with his jaw-dropping feats.
In this article, we’ll explore 15 of his most daring stunts. From motocross double backflips to skydiving without a parachute, these stories will have you on the edge of your seat. Buckle up for a wild ride through some of the most dangerous and thrilling moments in extreme sports history.
Top 15 Travis Pastrana Stunts (Short Details)
- Double Backflip at X Games – Travis Pastrana made history by landing the first-ever double backflip at the X Games in 2006.
- Jumping from an Airplane without a Parachute – Pastrana jumped from a plane without a parachute and landed safely in another’s wingsuit.
- Rally Car Jump over 269 Feet of Water – Travis Pastrana set a world record by jumping a rally car over 269 feet of water in 2010.
- Triple Backflip: Travis Pastrana’s groundbreaking triple backflip at the 2010 X Games revolutionized freestyle motocross.
- Nitro Circus’ Largest Bike Flip Record: Pastrana led his Nitro Circus team in setting the record for the most simultaneous dirt bike backflips, a perfectly timed and coordinated stunt.
- BASE Jumping from the MGM Grand: Pastrana BASE jumped from the 64th floor of the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, executing a meticulously planned, high-risk leap.
- The RallyCross 360° Spin: Pastrana stunned fans by completing a mid-air 360° spin in his rally car during a live RallyCross event, showing extreme skill and control.
- Backflipping into the Grand Canyon on a Dirt Bike: In 2002, Pastrana backflipped a dirt bike into the Grand Canyon, parachuting to safety after abandoning the bike mid-air.
- Jumping Over 52 Cars in a Rally Car – In 2018, Pastrana soared over 52 cars in a rally car, paying tribute to Evel Knievel.
- World Record Longest Jump on a Motorcycle – Pastrana broke the world record by jumping 378 feet on a motorcycle.
- Backflipping a Monster Truck – Travis backflipped a monster truck, marking a first in extreme motorsports history.
- Three Jumps in One Day to Honor Evel Knievel – Pastrana completed three Evel Knievel tribute jumps in one day.
- Jumping a Dirt Bike onto a Moving Train – Pastrana successfully landed a dirt bike onto a moving train in one of his riskiest stunts.
- Pastrana’s Helicopter Bike Flip – Pastrana flipped a motorcycle while jumping out of a helicopter, safely parachuting to the ground.
- Jumping Between Rooftops on a BMX Bike – Pastrana jumped a wide gap between two rooftops on a BMX bike, defying gravity.
1. Pastrana’s Record-Breaking Double Backflip at X Games 2006
Travis Pastrana made history in 2006 with the first-ever double backflip in competition at the X Games. The risk was enormous, and failure could have meant serious injury or worse. Pastrana practiced the stunt repeatedly to perfect his technique before taking it to the X Games.
When he nailed the double backflip, the crowd went wild. It became one of the most iconic moments in extreme sports. This daring move raised the bar for freestyle motocross and secured Pastrana’s place in history.
Read more: Travis Pastrana’s Ten Best Moments
2. Skydiving Without a Parachute
In 2007, Travis Pastrana took extreme sports to new heights, literally. He jumped from an airplane with no parachute. The plan was to have his friends catch him mid-air and safely get him to the ground.
This was an incredibly dangerous stunt that relied on perfect coordination between Pastrana and his team. Any small mistake could have been fatal. The jump showed just how much faith Pastrana had in his crew.
3. Pastrana’s World Record Rally Car Jump
Travis Pastrana set another world record in 2009 when he jumped 269 feet in a rally car. The jump took place on New Year’s Eve and was broadcast live on TV. Pastrana was behind the wheel of a Subaru Impreza as he soared over the water at Long Beach.
This wasn’t just about speed. Pastrana had to maintain control throughout the jump, ensuring the car landed safely on the other side. The risk of crashing was high, but Pastrana managed it with expert precision.
The jump broke the previous world record and solidified Pastrana’s status as a multi-sport daredevil.
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4. Triple backflip
Travis Pastrana’s triple backflip on a dirt bike is one of the most amazing stunts in extreme sports. He did this incredible trick at the 2010 X Games. It was the first time anyone landed a triple backflip on a motorcycle. Pastrana is known for his bravery and skill.
He made this stunt look easy, but it took a lot of practice. When he landed it, the crowd went wild! This moment changed freestyle motocross forever.
5. Nitro Circus’ Largest Bike Flip Record
Pastrana and his Nitro Circus team pulled off an incredible stunt when they set the record for the most riders backflipping on dirt bikes at the same time. This massive coordinated effort involved several athletes flipping their bikes in perfect unison.
The stunt required intense practice and flawless timing. One mistake could have caused a catastrophic crash for everyone involved. Pastrana, as always, was at the canter of it, pushing the limits of what’s possible.
6. BASE Jumping from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas
In another heart-pounding feat, Travis Pastrana BASE jumped from the 64th floor of the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Leaping from such a height, especially in a busy area like Las Vegas, was incredibly risky.
Pastrana trained extensively for the jump, ensuring that everything went smoothly. From wind conditions to landing zones, every aspect had to be perfect. The margin for error was razor-thin.
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7. The RallyCross 360° Spin
During a live RallyCross event, Pastrana shocked everyone by performing a 360° spin in his rally car. Controlling a car in mid-air is no easy task, but Pastrana made it look effortless.
This stunt was risky because of the speed and weight of the car. Losing control at that height could have resulted in disaster. Pastrana had to trust both his skills and his vehicle.
8. Backflipping into the Grand Canyon on a Dirt Bike
In 2017, Travis Pastrana took on another bold stunt by backflipping his dirt bike into the Grand Canyon. Unlike other jumps, this one ended with Pastrana ditching the bike mid-air and parachuting safely to the ground.
The backflip itself was tricky. The added complexity of landing safely after jumping into a canyon made it even more dangerous. There was no room for mistakes.
9. Jumping Over 52 Cars in a Rally Car
In 2018, Travis Pastrana jumped a rally car over 52 crushed cars in one of his many tribute stunts to Evel Knievel. The challenge was all about precision. The car had to hit the ramp at the perfect speed and angle.
One small miscalculation could have spelled disaster. Yet, Pastrana nailed it, flying over the line of cars and landing smoothly on the other side.
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10. World Record Longest Jump on a Motorcycle
Travis Pastrana broke yet another world record when he jumped 378 feet on a motorcycle in 2018. This record-breaking stunt took place in Las Vegas, during a special tribute to Evel Knievel.
The jump was far from easy. Pastrana had to maintain perfect control of the bike during both take-off and landing. Any wobble could have caused a crash, but Pastrana handled it like a pro.
Read more: Travis Pastrana Breaks Three World Records In Las Vegas: Evel Live
11. Backflipping a Monster Truck
Monster trucks are notoriously hard to control. But in 2017, Pastrana did the unthinkable—he backflipped one. The sheer size and weight of the truck made this stunt particularly dangerous.
To prepare, Pastrana spent hours practicing. The stunt demanded perfect timing and immense strength to flip the massive vehicle. The possibility of crashing was high.
12. Three Jumps in One Day to Honor Evel Knievel
In 2018, Pastrana pulled off a remarkable feat: three Evel Knievel tribute jumps in a single day. The jumps were a tribute to Knievel’s most famous stunts. Pastrana jumped 52 cars, 16 buses, and the Caesars Palace fountain, all within a few hours.
Each of these jumps had its own risks, but Pastrana handled them with his usual confidence. The jumps were broadcast live, adding extra pressure.
13. Jumping a Dirt Bike onto a Moving Train
One of Pastrana’s most dangerous stunts involved jumping a dirt bike onto a moving train. Timing was crucial. Pastrana had to hit the ramp at the right moment to land safely on top of the train.
The risks were obvious. Missing the train or losing control could have resulted in a serious accident. Pastrana practiced extensively to get the timing just right.
14. Pastrana’s Helicopter Bike Flip
In yet another groundbreaking stunt, Pastrana performed a bike flip out of a helicopter. The challenge was to flip his bike mid-air and parachute safely to the ground.
The coordination required between the helicopter pilot and Pastrana was critical. Any small error in timing could have led to disaster. Pastrana, as always, prepared thoroughly to ensure everything went smoothly.
Read more: Pastrana back flips over helicopter
15. Jumping Between Rooftops on a BMX Bike
In one of his most daring BMX stunts, Pastrana jumped between two high-rise rooftops. This stunt required immense focus and precision. The gap between the rooftops was wide, and the consequences of a miscalculated jump were terrifying.
Pastrana’s skill and bravery came through once again. He cleared the gap, landing safely on the second rooftop. The risk level for this stunt was off the charts, but Pastrana’s experience and determination made it possible.
Final note:
Travis Pastrana continues to amaze fans with his fearless attitude and mind-blowing stunts. Pastrana’s daring feats have inspired countless athletes and thrill-seekers around the world.
His willingness to risk it all for his passion sets him apart. As extreme sports evolve, Travis Pastrana remains a legend who consistently raises the bar. His legacy will live on through the incredible stunts he has accomplished, and there’s no doubt we’ll see even more astonishing feats from him in the future.
15 FAQ’s (Frequently asked questions):
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Who is Travis Pastrana?
Travis Pastrana is a professional motorsports competitor known for extreme stunts in motocross, rally racing, and other daring feats.
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What is Travis Pastrana famous for?
He’s famous for performing jaw-dropping stunts, including the first-ever double backflip at the X Games and his world-record-breaking jumps.
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What is Travis Pastrana’s biggest stunt?
One of his biggest stunts was the 378-foot motorcycle jump, which broke the world record in 2018.
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How did Travis Pastrana jump without a parachute?
In a calculated move, Pastrana jumped from an airplane without a parachute and was caught by a teammate mid-air to land safely.
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What is Nitro Circus?
Nitro Circus is an action sports collective founded by Pastrana, showcasing extreme sports stunts performed by him and other athletes.
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Has Travis Pastrana ever been injured?
Yes, Pastrana has suffered several injuries throughout his career due to the dangerous nature of his stunts.
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Did Travis Pastrana break Evel Knievel’s records?
Yes, Pastrana successfully completed multiple stunts in tribute to Evel Knievel, including breaking some of his records.
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What is Travis Pastrana’s longest jump?
Pastrana’s longest jump was 378 feet on a motorcycle during his Evel Knievel tribute.
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Is Travis Pastrana still performing stunts?
Yes, as of the latest updates, Pastrana continues to perform stunts and remains active in extreme sports.
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What cars does Travis Pastrana drive in rallies?
Pastrana drives various high-performance rally cars, including Subaru WRX STI models, in his rally races.
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How dangerous are Travis Pastrana’s stunts?
His stunts are extremely dangerous, requiring precise skill, preparation, and often result in serious risks of injury.
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What records does Travis Pastrana hold?
Pastrana holds several records, including the world’s longest motorcycle jump and various rally car records.
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What inspired Travis Pastrana to do extreme stunts?
Pastrana was inspired by Evel Knievel and has always had a passion for pushing the limits of what’s possible.
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Has Travis Pastrana ever quit a stunt due to danger?
While rare, Pastrana has occasionally abandoned stunts when safety risks were too high.
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How does Travis Pastrana prepare for his stunts?
Pastrana undergoes intense training, testing, and mental preparation to ensure that his stunts go as smoothly as possible.
