Seeking a Broader Stage

Pastrana?s charisma is as natural as his riding. Never one to posture, Number 199 lets the drama of his sport speak for itself; and he?s known as one of the friendliest, most approachable athletes in the pro ranks.

But Pastrana?s career hasn?t been a complete fairy tale. Tackling a variety of contests has inflicted a variety of injuries. His worst ? in 1998 ? was a spinal trauma that had been reported only twice before in medical history, and Pastrana?s recovery was so remarkable that it was documented on television. Characteristically, the athlete looks on the bright side: ?I had to learn to walk again, but in the meantime my dad got me a great wheelchair with full suspension. I had about three months of fun with that,? he remembers.

In other words, nothing is going to keep this superstar from exploring every possibility, whether it?s racing, freestyle, step-up, making videos, or even a new favorite ? BASE jumping. At home in Maryland, Pastrana?s landscaping includes a freestyle park, a foam pit, a motocross track, a supercross track, a BMX course, a rally car track, a rock-climbing wall, a mechanical bull, and a skatepark. ?Not that I?m there all that much,? he admits, ?but my friends enjoy it, too.?

Pastrana seems to be on the road more than ever these days: While he remains a dominating force in the world?s top freestyle motocross contests, he also has a new stunt/reality show on Country Music Television called Travis TV. ?It?s Kenny Bartram, Special Greg, Cam McQueen, and I thinking up a stunt that is truly nuts, then building whatever we need and hucking it,? Pastrana reports. ?It should be a lot of fun.?

And then there?s rally car racing. After testing the waters in 2004, Pastrana embarked on his first full season in the Rally America Series in 2005 and landed on the overall podium three times, for a season finish of fourth in his class and fifth overall. Completely stoked, he returned for Team Subaru?s Rally America effort in 2006, and became one of the youngest drivers ever to win a Rally America Championship. Insiders hint that Pastrana may soon take his seemingly unlimited talents to an even broader stage: the World Rally Championship, but not until after he locked up his third consecutive Rally America Championship in 2008!