Tyrone Gilks (11 December 1993 – 21 March 2013) was an

Australian Australian(s) may refer to: Australia * Australia, a country * Australians, citizens of the Commonwealth of Australia ** European Australians ** Anglo-Celtic Australians, Australians descended principally from British colonists ** Aboriginal Aus ...

motorbike A motorcycle (motorbike, bike; uni (if one-wheeled); trike (if three-wheeled); quad (if four-wheeled)) is a lightweight private 1-to-2 passenger personal motor vehicle steered by a handlebar from a saddle-style seat. Motorcycle designs var ...

personality, known for his world record distance jumping and freestyle motocross riding. Gilks (known as Bear or Snowflake) was killed on 21 March 2013 during a training run for his final world record, the 250cc distance jump—currently held by

Robbie Maddison Robert William Maddison (born 14 July 1981) is an Australian motorbike stunt performer. Nicknamed 'Maddo', he is from the town of Kiama, New South Wales. Background Born in Caringbah, Maddison grew up in Kiama Downs, and developed his passi ...

Early life

Gilks grew up in

Newcastle, Australia Newcastle, also commonly referred to as Greater Newcastle ( ; ), is a large metropolitan area and the second-most-populous such area of New South Wales, Australia. It includes the cities of Newcastle and Lake Macquarie and it is the hub of t ...

and started racing

motocross Motocross is a form of off-road motorcycle racing held on enclosed off-road circuits. The sport evolved from motorcycle trials competitions held in the United Kingdom. History Motocross first evolved in Britain from motorcycle trials competi ...

at a young age with his older brother, Morgan.

World records

Gilks set his first unofficial world record on a 65cc motorcycle at 97 ft ramp to dirt while only 10 years old. The following year he set the world record by jumping 112 ft ramp to dirt on a 65cc motorcycle. He then broke his own world record by jumping 114 ft ramp to dirt on a 65cc motorcycle to set the world record for distance. He went on to set numerous records, some of which are listed below: * 65cc distance world record (12 years) – * 85cc distance world record – * 125cc distance world record – * Youngest backflip to dirt – 12 years old

Freestyle career

Gilks was signed to the JC FMX team in 2010. In 2012, he won first prize in the freestyle motocross event at the New Zealand Unit Farm Jam. He returned in 2013 and took second prize – but he added a new record with the first 360 on natural terrain. He had recently travelled to America to meet his new manager, and to do some freeriding at Jackpot Ranch.

Death

Gilks was due to take on Robbie Maddison's 250cc distance record at the Maitland Bike and Hot Rod show on 23 March 2013. Along with his family and close friends they built a tall mound of earth which was moulded into a landing ramp of gigantic proportions. A slim concrete runway was poured on the lead-up to the launch ramp. Early on Thursday 21 March, Gilks successfully jumped approximately distance. On an practice, Gilks did not get enough speed, landed on the front side of the landing ramp and was critically injured and knocked unconscious. He was airlifted by helicopter to the John Hunter Hospital where he died later that day due to the severity of the injuries sustained. On Thursday 28 March, over 1200 mourners attended a farewell service at Macquarie Hills Church. The coffin was plastered with hundreds of stickers of his race plate and number 777 by all of his friends and family. He was buried at Catherine Hill Bay cemetery.

References

External links

Tyrone Gilks’ Official Site
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gilks, Tyrone 1993 births 2013 deaths People from New South Wales Australian motocross riders Freestyle motocross riders Motorcycle stunt performers Australian stunt performers Sport deaths in Australia Accidental deaths in New South Wales