There are few spectacles in the sports world that can compare to a good "Prize Fight"-the excitement and drama of two equally matched savages trying to knock each other's block off is just plain hard to beat. When we first heard about the prospect of having the Nitro Circus crew square off against the Redline Riot and Revolt we knew it was one of those rare matchups with no clear favorite and the potential for a devastating knockout. After all, what better matchup could there be than a fleet of indestructible machines in one corner, and a crew of fearless maniacs who pride themselves on their destructive abilities in the other?
The Contenders
In the Red corner... The Redline Riot and Revolt.
As we reported just a few issues ago (Sept. '09) Redline's vehicles are pretty damn tough. The Riot side-by-side and Revolt single-seater are 749cc monsters that produce 70-plus horsepower right off of the showroom floor. Both units boast 16 inches of suspension travel in the rear with 18 inches of travel up front. Having spent considerable time in the machines, we can attest to their brutal power delivery and all-around toughness. We can also attest to their insane ability to wear out an opponent without so much as breaking a sweat. The Redline machines are beefy in all of the right places, yet lean enough where it counts to stay nimble. In order to knock one out, it would take a devastating combination, as a single hit rarely fazes them.
In the Blue corner... The Nitro Circus Crew.
Unless you've been in a shoebox for the last five years, you should have a pretty good idea of who the Nitro Circus crew is. The crew is comprised of seemingly self-destructive athletes from various really, really dangerous sports. The big name in the crew is, of course, Travis Pastrana (do I really need to tell you who Pastrana is?), the MX/SX/FMX/Rally superstar with the instigative ability (and talent) to talk anyone into anything. Ex-FMX Pro Andy Bell, Travis's longtime sidekick, and a perfect example of Travis's unique aforementioned talent, is also the man responsible for turning a luggage company (OGIO) into a household name. Jolene Van Vugt is a female pro motocrosser, Jim DeChamp is a pro downhill mountain bike rider, Erik Roner is an extreme skier and B.A.S.E. jumper, and Scott Palmer is a skydiver. Outside of the athletes, there are Street Bike Tommy, Greg Godfrey and the Nitro Circus lawyer Jeremy Rawle. Combined, the entire crew continuously steps it up and pushes the limits within their respective sports, and during the filming of the ridiculous stunts that only they could come up with. The crew's willingness to try anything gives them a unique ability to either land a knockout blow or find themselves staring up at the ring lights.
Atlantic City? Las Vegas?
Unlike most prize fights, the Redline vs. Nitro Circus bout was scheduled for Salt Lake City, Utah, in a setting that was certainly more Fight Club than Madison Square Garden. An empty truck lot and a few crudely formed mounds of dirt made up the no-frills "arena," which was not far from the headquarters of Godfrey Entertainment (producers of the Nitro Circus videos and TV show).