Back in the '70's, I remember this activity that was held at auto race tracks. It involved men wearing full leathers and helmet, and some kind of butt pad strapped to their rumps. They would lower themselves butt first from the tailgate of a pickup truck, (if you were really cool it was an El Camino), while it sped around the track. On the straights the 'pilot' would be released onto the track and commence to slide on his rear, with distance being the competitive objective. Anyone remember this at all? +++++++++++++ 04-19-05, 07:27 AM clarebear That is called skeeching or bumber sliding. Most of the links reference skeeching on the ice or snow (I think that is how the sport got started). It was done on the pavement and now is rarely heard of because it was just too dangerous.Too many people got hurt. I don't think you will be seeing that sport back anytime soon. Aside from the fact that it has GOT to be illegal, it would be hard to hold on to a plastic bumper! Smile
04-19-05, 08:32 AM Kendor Thanks clare, but I'm not sure that's what I'm looking for. The participants in the 'sport' I remember would actually release them selves from the vehicle and slide for distance. From what I read about skeeching, it has the riders hanging on to the vehicle the entire time. But thanks anyway.
This is really odd. I vividly remember this sport but there is absolutely NOTHING on the internet about it. I've even asked some old racers and they remember the sport but not the name.
04-19-05, 01:11 PM Georgia85 It sounds very similiar to Street Luge (which began in the 70s) except that sport doesn't involve being released from the back of a truck. But the participants wear a full leather body suit and a full motocycle helmet, are called pilots, and reach up to speeds of 70 mph while lying on their back speeding down hills.
Another similiar sport is Buttboarding. I know neither of these are what you are looking for but maybe they'll spark something else in your memory Smile
04-19-05, 03:46 PM clarebear Found something!! Maybe this can get you on the right track. (hahaha) Razz
What about slide for life? I found this article about a stunt driver who would slide for 88 feet down the raceway.
quote: Jennifer Topa
Jennifer hails from Riviera Beach, Florida.
She is dynamite behind the wheels of a speeding automobile.
Jennifer first became interested in precision driving at an early age, which made her well qualified to become a Auto Thrill Show daredevil.
She also trained for the sensational Slide For Life. In this event she descends from a speeding automobile through flaming gasoline. A great many spectators enjoyed her Slide For Life act.
As Jennifer steps on the rear bumper of the automobile, the driver speeds away. Then gasoline is poured on the raceway and ignited. When the car approaches a high rate of speed, Jennifer descends from the rear bumper of the automobile, and slides for approximately 88 feet down the raceway. Jennifer slides through the flaming gasoline, unhurt she arises, gives a bow to the amazed gallery of spectators.
I just got off the phone with thrillnet. The woman on the phone said that it isn't a sport and it was just a stunt. She did say there was a TV show that would show that often. Also, she can get someone to do that at an event for me! LOL
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