Freestylers fly in face of back-flip ban

Riders break rules for fans
Freestylers fly in face of back-flip ban

Becky Regan
The Arizona Republic
Jul. 23, 2005 12:00 AM

The rule was no back flips.

The new metal ramp-to-ramp format made back-flip tricks too dangerous, but local riders Jim McNeil and Nikki Danielson didn't care.

Glendale rider McNeil started it. He threw down the first back flip of the night in the last few seconds of his semifinal run at the International Freestyle Motocross Association competition Friday night at Glendale Arena. advertisement

Twelve riders hit the ramps for a 60-second solo semifinal run to qualify for the five-rider final and a $30,000 prize. With squealing tires and smoky stunts, the riders performed Superman Seat Grabs, one-handed Hart Attacks, and the Kiss of Death, but no back flips. At least not until McNeil in the No. 11 spot took his turn.

The judges didn't count McNeil's back flip, but he made no apologies for his illegal, upside-down maneuver.

"You guys looked bored," McNeil said to the crowd after his run. "It's my hometown, so of course I'm going to throw it down for them."

In answer to the judges' disapproval, McNeil hit another back flip before exiting the arena to thundering cheers.

Scottsdale rider Danielson followed McNeil's cue. Danielson's bike was taken away from him after his ride.

The crowd was impressed, but the judges weren't. McNeil and Danielson didn't qualify for the finals, and both were out for the end of the show.

But local rider Trey Deane from Surprise did advance to the finals along with Greg Hartman, Jeff Winstead, Slade Waltman and Steve Wagner.

Waltman was the winner with a score of 94.5 after hitting a Kiss of Death in his final run. Waltman took the lead from Winstead who finished in second with 93.25. Deane scored a 93.0 to finish third.

Wagner, who is the IFMA points leader, couldn't capture the top spot after a crash in his first pass.

Before his run, Wagner stopped at the top of the ramp, revved his engine and revved up the crowd. He hit the first ramp with a Switch Blade, but then he hit the ground. Wagner finished his run, but the crash ruined his chances at a win.

Hartman and Jason Rowe also crashed, and both walked away from their falls.

Rowe fell during his semifinal run. The judges said he was done, but Rowe disagreed.

There were still 32 seconds on the clock, and Rowe got back on the bike. The arena staff waved him toward the door, but Rowe headed for the ramp to finish the run.

All the riders will get a chance to ride again at 8 tonight at Glendale Arena.

Whoa, a backflip ban!

Sean, do you happen to know if it was banned due to:

A)The risk involved.

OR

B)To make it more fair for those who couldn't?

My guess is due to liability and the risk involved but if you happen to know, I'd like to know.

Whoa, a backflip ban!

Sean, do you happen to know if it was banned due to:

A)The risk involved.

OR

B)To make it more fair for those who couldn't?

My guess is due to liability and the risk involved but if you happen to know, I'd like to know.

They can't really expect no one to do it. If they really thought no one would do it then they are pretty dumb.

I like the idea. Backflips are boring anyways.

TenEightySalomon wrote:

Whoa, a backflip ban!

Sean, do you happen to know if it was banned due to:

A)The risk involved.

OR

B)To make it more fair for those who couldn't?

My guess is due to liability and the risk involved but if you happen to know, I'd like to know.

I think it was liability, not 110% sure

sounds like it

yea, problem there, everyone has been de-sensitized by watch x games and like travis and the nitro circus

no harm done, good thing they didnt get hurt, would suck to have it thrown back in your face

I agree. They were stupit to think noone would do it. I wish the did that more though cause then I wouldn't feel so obsolete.

If they really banned it becuse other people couldnt do it then thats not fair. That would be very dum becuse the people who worked hard and taking risk to land that trick couldnt even do it becuse other people didnt take the time or just cant do it. Just what i think.

There are a lot of riders that would they just don't have the means of practicing it. I tryed once off of a sand cliff. DIDN"T WORK! I agree with you though, If you can do it than your that much better. But I understand the sercumstances. Metal to metal is dangerous on it's own. But they were stupid to think fmxer's would follow rules.

Haha i know right. If its for the saftey of the riders im all for it. But if they banned it becuse some people couldnt do it then i just think thats dum.

when you say "backflip ban" what do you mean? like just that specific track? or like ever again like at the x games and stuff.

just at that specific event

Mostly like small town events but i am going to a freestyle show tomoro night

and im looking forward to see it.

I'm thinking about going 4 it again on the mini, I have to get the jumps set up. I realy want to do it. If I do you can bet I'll have pics and vid.