See the Cornfield Promo Clip Here

Joe Sylvester New World Record Monster Truck Jump Holder

A 208 feet long jump takes the record from "Big Foot" set in 1999
World Record Monster Truck Jumd DVD now Available Click Here
See the near fatal crash on practice day: www.youtube.com

Rome wasn't built in a day and neither was the 10th Annual Cornfield 500 and World Record Monster Truck Jump. The fact of the matter, it has taken the Millers ten long grueling years of blood, sweat, and tears to acquire a glimpse of the pinnacle of this events potential, and with each step upward came the overwhelming burden of expectations, financial setbacks, and personal tragedies. The most recent and undoubtedly the most difficult of their tribulations came just before the 2009 Cornfield 500 event. Blair was working on the motor cross landing ramp. The bulldozer he was utilizing lost footing, threw him forward into the roll cage, and knocked him out. His unconscious body fell against the searing exhaust pipe of the dozer, causing second and third degree burns to his neck, back and arms. However, the same pipe that inflicted his injuries, causing infections and complications, resulting in months of hospitalization, rehabilitation, and surgeries was the one thing that saved his life. The pipe kept Blair from falling on the track of the bulldozer and from being immediately chewed up and crushed by this massive piece of machinery. During Blair's recovery, family friends and community band together to make the 9th Annual Cornfield 500 happen, ultimately leading to this years history making Monster Truck Jump, because if it wasn't for the help and support of friends and family the Cornfield 500 and the Miller's dream would have came to an abrupt end. Over the next year, during Blair's recovery, the Millers' in cooperation with Joe Sylvester of Bad Habit Monster Truck Team began to plan what would soon become the event of the year. Joe would launch his 10,000 lb monster truck, Bad Habit, into the air in an attempt to break the World Record Monster Truck Jump set by the iconic monster truck Big Foot. The record was set in 1999 at 202 feet. Although the trio knew, the jump would be problematic, despite the meticulous planning of launch speeds, launch ramp and landing ramp construction among other extenuating factors and variables the team felt the jump was within their capabilities. However, on Tuesday, August 31st during the practice jump a minor miscalculation almost cost Joe Sylvester the world record title along with his life. What was intended to be a media teaser and a chance to work out any last minute, minor, changes in the jump ramps, quickly turned into tragedy. After a couple satisfactory passes on the lead track, Bad habit it the launch ramp at a respectable 68-mph. propelling the monster truck off the ramp at an angle that was far greater than expected. The result of this error was soon realized as Joey and his 10,000 lbs. of steal truck succumbed to gravity and plummeted nose first into the 190-foot mark of the landing ramp, but the ride wasn't over. After several end over end rolls a crumpled Bad Habit and driver came to rest on its side. All was quiet, except for the sobs of Joe's mother. Seeming like an eternity, the truck sat there still, with no movement, but in reality, Joe emerged from the wreckage unscathed in less than a minute. Bad Habit's damage was extensive, with the event only four days away; our hearts began to sink as we began to accept the inevitable conclusion that the jump attempt would have to be cancelled. However, Joe didn't see it that way. He immediately began evaluating the damages. His determination was contagious. Soon Joe, the Millers, his crew, Scott, Kyle, and a hand full of local friends worked day and night to put Bad Habit back together again! Then Friday rolled around and it became apparent the weather would be the next obstacle to overcome. High winds and rain pounded the tracks for the better part of two days, making It necessary for the all Saturday scheduled races to be postponed until Sunday. Once again, due to hard work, perseverance, and quite literally the grace of God, the show went on without a glitch. There was some financial loss due to the weather affecting the attendance, but all and all the turn out was more than respectable. Everything ran as planned with the heats and features and with the amount of fierce competition between drivers there was bound to be an upset or two. Next out were the S.C.O.R.R Trucks that gave a show of lifetime, despite the soft track. Finally, the terrible trio (Gary, Mike & Derrick) on the motor cross bikes took the proverbial stage and amazed the crowd with their heart stopping tricks and 100 foot jumps. Although the cornfield shows ran without a glitch the runway track, and launch ramp for the jump still needed repaired. With the help of Gary Bauer, from Yankee Lake Truck Night and the other monster truck drivers in attendance, all aspects of the Jump were repaired, completed, and ready to set a world record. The crowd of 1500 Cornfield 500 spectators more than doubled in size when it was time to see Joe break the record. He made a pass past his fans in recognition of their support and attendance. Then he rode out of sight. Soon you could hear the song "I feel like a monster" by Skillet booming out of "DJ Good time's" speakers. Next, came the low growl of Bad Habit growing louder and louder as Joe Sylvester's monstrous truck approached the track and in a blink of an eye, he was airborne, as if he had wings. Gibson fireworks sent up a barrage of rockets, as he passed over the Baker Hill Motor Sports fire truck. The crowed went wild their cheers were almost deafening. Everybody thought he had broken the world record, with a perfect landing to boot. However, nobody realized he had left the launch ramp 10 feet early when he decided to run the jump again, because he thought he was three feet short. Once again, Bad Habit came barreling down the track this time at an impressive 79 mph. This time he left the launch ramp 12 feet early and landed only four feet short of the 202-foot marker. The official surveyor took a grueling ten minutes to calculate the measurement by the Guinness World Book of World Records Standards, and then announced the official measurement of 208 feet. The crowed went wild. Joe Sylvester just became the World Record Monster Truck Jump holder. To make it official there are still a few papers to be filed, but everyone who has been a part of this project will remember Labor Day Weekend 2010, Joey Sylvester, and his Bad Habit.

F

Copyright© 2006 Baker Hill Motor Sports, LLC.

'Cornfield 500™' is the registered trademark of Baker Hill Motor Sports

Site Developed by:

Paver Web Design and Desktop Publishing Services