| In 2002, Pastrana was racing 250’s full time. “Entering the first round in the 250 class was nerve-racking”, recalls Pastrana. His year was one of the worst of his life. How bad had his year gone? Travis DNF’d Minnesota after tangling with Mike LaRocco, threw up in his helmet while running second in Atlanta, passed out on the bike while riding near the front in Daytona, crashed out of both motos at Glenn Helen, broke his wrist at Hangtown, then injured his knee at the Gravity Games while winning the freestyle contest. This all adds to the bizarre season he is having in 2003. While still early in the 2003 season, Travis is already digging his hole. One week before Anaheim I, he tweaked his knee at Castillo Ranch. However, Pastrana looked the fastest in the qualifying rounds, and was predicted to run at the top. Luck was proved to be against Travis when he had an incident with Ricky Carmichael in the heat race, and a blind collision with Mike LaRocco in the main. After the first race of the season Travis’ knee was giving out. While training for Anaheim II, he separated his shoulder swimming laps in a pool, and will be out for at least two months. Swimming… two months!? Yes, as crazy as it sounds it is true. Most Racers have an immense threshold for pain. Their joints, tendons, ligaments, bones, and muscles are injured so often that even small amounts of exercise little exercise can be devastating. Hopefully his 2003 season was change for the better, if he takes time to recover. He will be ready to tackle the Outdoors Series 100% healthy. The 2003 Outdoor season was one that ended before it could start. Glen Helen Raceway was a story to tell. Pastrana looked sharp in the qualifying rounds and was |
| Travis was allowed to start the year in the 2500cc class in 2001. He quickly admitted that more strength was needed to survive the 20 laps on the bigger bikes. One of the smartest moves he could have made was to enter the 125cc Eastern Region Supercross Series in order to gain more confidence and experience, for it allowed him to win five out of seven races and finally, the championship. Pastrana’s confidence was very high by the time he entered the outdoors series. The wait until round four at Southwick for Travis to pick up his first win, and take over the point lead, was a surprise to most. However, it was not in the cards for Travis to repeat as champion. Pastrana suffered several tremendously hard crashes, which led him to pull out of the series at Millville. In what he describes as the most controversial decision of his life, Travis had to take a break from racing in order to recover. The fight for the championship was over, but all was not lost for the youngster. Travis managed to win medals at the Summer X-Games and the Gravity Games keeping his name in the front of everyone’s mind. |
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| set to reclaim his status as a greart racer. Moto 1 started and it was looking good for Pastrana. He was running in the top ten, when in lap 10 he landed a double and his knee popped out. He didn't finish the race, and he had to go to the hospital right after that. Racer X illustrated interviewed Pastrana a week or so after Glen Helen; that was when he explained that he was going to take a break from racing for now, for different reasons. He said that first of all he wanted to get healthy so he can compete in the 2004 Supercross season. He also explained that he wanted to see if other doors open, such as racing rally cars, freestyle motocross, supermoto racing, and other thing he has lined up. In the interview he assured his fans not to worry, beucase he will be back, stronger and healthier than ever. |