Travis mid way through the Toilet Paper Roll. He is about half way going into the second rotation.

Well this year wasn’t the best for Travis. He returned to the motorcycle once again for MotoX Best Trick and was ready for his 4th year in Rally. The hype was huge to say the least with Travis attempting his new trick. The most talked up trick for years was the Backflip to 360 also as the 720 Rodeo or as Travis called it the “Toilet Paper Roll.”

Travis hadn’t attempted this trick to dirt or even practiced in weeks since he came to L.A. early for the Red Bull Toasted event just days prior to X Games. He was still confident saying he is “1 for 5, which was about how I was with the double back[flip].” Unfortunately for Travis he didn’t quite land it however on the bright side he was able to walk away and was in good shape for Rally; that EVS padding held up well! Travis was one of many who crashed with only Kyle Loza, Blake Williams and Todd Potter landing with a trick and Willy Watts not landing any trick(s). Travis ended up fourth at the end of the night.

Travis was, as usual, a favorite to win. He dominated every race he was in which is no surprise, last year he got Gold and before that he got Bronze and another Gold. First race he was up against ACP but fortunately for Travis (and unfortunately for ACP), ACP nudged a water barrier which cost him crucial seconds. Next round Travis was up against Brian Deegan of the Metal Mulisha. Brian had previously had turbo troubles and the affects still lingered to the next round because for some reason his team didn’t fix his car! Apparently a hose had slipped of and needed to be reattached. Brian without a turbo obviously couldn’t match Travis in a primed Subaru USA car. Brian couldn’t make the jump and was disqualified; Brian got a bit emotional in the car. Ken Block had fallen to the same fate as Brian, not doing the jump and getting booted from the competition.

Travis and his custom steering wheel from Red Bull :: PhotoCredit: Subaru USA Rally

In the final it was Travis against Kenny Brack (not Bartram). Travis and Kenny were neck-and-neck for most of the race but Travis had a slight advantage. On return to the stadium Travis came into the corner with too much speed for the terrain; a slippery concrete-dust mixture which forced Travis to lose control and wedge the car in between the barriers on either side of the track.

Travis’ face expressed disappointment obviously after losing another gold medal to such a small error. After review of a replay Travis can be seen smiling after he crashed with his face in his palms. In classic Travis character he was in good spirits, congratulating Kenny Brack and thanking his team for such a good effort.

Travis now has 2 Golds, 1 Silver and 1 Bronze medal from the Rally car event and is the only competitor to race in at every X Games Rally Car event in the 4 years it has been held (2006 – 2009). Travis missed out on a medal by one spot in best trick which would have been the first time a rider gets a medal without doing a trick. Best of luck to Travis next year!

A quick word on the championship. Travis is in the lead by 42 points over team mate Ken Block.

1. Travis – 106 points
2. Ken – 64 points
3. ACP – 63 points

It seems the fight is now for second place to fourth place, separated by 4 points between them!

Travis' Silver Medal :: PhotoCredit: Subaru Rally USA