Glossy full-color invitations were sent out, fur was fluffed, and across the Midwest tires were deflated a few PSI in preparation for the fourth Starboyz Stuntfest held this past June at Cleveland's Thompson Dragway. Apparently, the Boyz have come a long way--in 1998 they were asked to leave the dragstrip for interrupting the dragracing program by hoisting wheelies down the quarter-mile instead of racing. This time Thompson's managers actually invited the Boyz, and a few hundred of their rowdiest friends, to tear the place up with as many wheelies, stoppies and tire-tearing burnouts as they could manage. As you can see, everyone was more than happy to oblige.
Ryan Caldwell cranks a fierce...
Ryan Caldwell cranks a fierce two-up reverse flamingo with passenger Suzan "Gixxie" Hamilton hanging off the back. Below: Dan Jackson dials up a sick suicide burnout on his way to winning first prize for Most Destructive Burnout.
Eric Hoenshell of Stunters.com...
Eric Hoenshell of Stunters.com rolls into first place in the circle-wheelie contest. Hoenshell, 20, practiced on his Honda CBR900RR for three months to perfect the dizzying move, completing 11 rotations.
Eric Hoenshell from another...
Eric Hoenshell from another angle. Hoenshell won four contests and $2000 by the time he left Ohio.
"Crazy Dan" Jackson draws...
"Crazy Dan" Jackson draws a few circles of his own.
Not only were they running...
Not only were they running the show, they were putting on a show, also--here Starboy Kevin Marino shows off his mastery of the no-handed Christ.
Ape Hanger, nailed by Eric...
Ape Hanger, nailed by Eric Hoenshell. Note the gap between the scrape bar and the ground!
Lurrvly ladies representing...
Lurrvly ladies representing Rider4Life
Big Smiles from some stunt...
Big Smiles from some stunt fans at the dragstrip.
Ryan Caldwell's High-Chair...
Ryan Caldwell's High-Chair wheelie didn't get the 19-year-old into the points, but the kid obviously has style.
It might have only been good...
It might have only been good enough for third place in the Most Destructive Burnout contest, but give Ken Rodin of Des Moines Extreme max points for showmanship.
Rodin, a wiry, Eminem look-alike,...
Rodin, a wiry, Eminem look-alike, had the crowd in tears with a truly bizarre routine involving Beatle wigs and suicide burnouts that culminated with him tearing the bodywork off his battered Kawasaki ZX-6R with help from a wayward traffic cone and Dan Jackson.
Tires weren't the only thing...
Tires weren't the only thing that was overinflated at Stuntfest.
Another gratuitous Starboyz...
Another gratuitous Starboyz shot (thanks for the party!)--Scott Caraboolad rockin' a no-handed Christ.
John Risconsin, riding with...
John Risconsin, riding with the Legion Stunt Team out of Pennsylvania, shows an original No-Hander variation.
Hoenshell rolled one out for...
Hoenshell rolled one out for 247 feet, enough for first in the Amateur Stoppie contest.
Thew Blankstrom's signature...
Thew Blankstrom's signature Spinderella.
The sport couldn't ask for...
The sport couldn't ask for a better spokesperson than 1096's Thew Blankstrom, shown here signing autographs for a young fan.