End Times for Promoter Ed Beckley?

Ed Beckley goes big in this jump picture taken at the Dayton Speedway in the 1960s. (Photo courtsey of Ralph Bray).

Will promoter Ed Beckley survive his 95-foot Death Jump this weekend?

The organizer of the Monster Truck Winter Nationals is planning a death-defying jump over 10 to 12 cars to help kick off the championship series. Normally a daredevil stunt wouldn’t garner much attention but Beckley, who owns Checkered Flag Productions, said the difference between his Death Jump and most ordinary jumps is quite simple — there’s a very good probability that he will die.

“I’m very nervous about making this jump because I haven’t had a chance to practice,” said Beckley via cellphone Friday as he finalized preparations for the jump at the Maverik Center in West Valley City, Utah.

“I called my kid and we talked. I got things ready in case this goes badly,” he said.

What does Beckley have working against him? He said he’s not necessarily hurt by his age — 61 — although it doesn’t help that he hasn't attempted any type of jump since 1994 when he did the same stunt in Amarillo, Texas. 

By his own accounts, he’s a big boy, standing at 6’2 and weighing in at 330 pounds — about 70 pounds more than his bike. Before he was a promoter, Beckley traveled the United States as a stuntman, billing himself the world's heaviest jumper.

Recently, Beckley was diagnosed with congestive heart failure and often has trouble breathing. And he’s not feeling good about his Harley Davidson 600cc stunt bike, which he said badly needs a tune- up.

“I have not had any time to practice either,” he quipped. “I was supposed to get some practice on this thing this week and have been so busy and haven’t had time to get on the bike.”

Tonight’s jump is scheduled to take place around 8 p.m. Mountain Time (7 p.m. PST/10 p.m. EST).
 

Contact: Ed Beckley, (940) 683-4742