Las Vegas Weekly

May 7, 2009 · 12:06 PM

Daredevils promise bigger, taller and more dangerous Strip stunts

By Robin Leach

Mike Metzger signs autographs.

Photo: TVT

When freestyle motocross rider Mike Metzger achieved a world record for a back flip over the Caesars Palace fountains, it looked as if there was nothing more left to achieve. When daredevil stuntman Robbie Maddison jumped up and then off the Paris’ Arc de Triomphe entrance gateway on New Year’s Eve, it looked as if there was nothing more left to prove. In fact, both men even promised that they were ending their dangerous dice with death stunts.

However, both men still have the itch to go bigger and better and have returned to Las Vegas talking about their need to jump at least one more time in their goal for yet another record. I joined Mike at Pole Position Raceway opposite Palms Place, a slightly less dangerous activity area from his normal conquests. Several of his fans raced against him in the 40 mph mini-racers.

Mike confirmed that he’d injured himself in another stunt after the successful “Impossible Jump” at Caesars in 2006, but his three back fractures are now healed for him to tackle his next extraordinary quest.

Mike told me that he wants to exceed the current world vertical jump record of 60 feet on a motorbike by at least another 20 feet to claim a new record! Mike is convinced that it is possible, and he’s now working on a foam pit to land safely into as he starts the practice attempts. “I’d love to do that within the year back here in Vegas, and we’ve begun talking to the necessary sponsors,” he told me.

Meantime, Robbie, 27, who ripped his hand open, requiring 10 stitches, on his New Year’s Eve insanity jumping on top and then off the 96-foot-high Paris, wants to go even better! Click HERE for our heart-stopping coverage of his spectacular New Year’s Eve stunt.

Robbie told our Las Vegas Sun colleague Melissa Arseniuk: “The wound is healed and time’s got me hungry again. I’m ready to just go for it again, and I know … there’s room to push it even harder, so I’m going to chase it out. I’m trying to get the geometry right so I can go ridiculously high but come back down to Earth safely.” He wants to combine high speed with a huge jump, but added: “I understand when enough is enough because you can’t just keep cheating death and keep taking huge risks.”

Robbie was in Las Vegas for the opening of the new DC store at Planet Hollywood’s Miracle Mile, and he joined other riders on the DC Motocross team signing autographs for hundreds of fans.

Heavily tattooed Mike -- he even has the word “pain” tattooed inside his mouth -- who has moved to Idaho for his new headquarters, also has launched his own clothing line and is helping promote the world’s first battery-powered motorcycles. He’s confident that technology will double the current 50 mph speed achievement for his own purposes and future stunts. But he’ll pull out his old faithful motorbike when he’s worked out exactly where in Las Vegas he can shoot upward like a skyrocket some 80-feet high!

Vegas DeLuxe will keep you posted as to the new attempts of both daredevils! Meantime, you can track all of Mike’s movements at his Web site www.metzgerunlimited.com -- and check out the heart-stopping photos that show him doing a mid-air handstand on his high-flying bike! The man is a miracle maker!

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

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