Tyrone Gilks

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 6.5 meter 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, Tyrone successfully jumped approx 80 meters distance. On an 85-meter practice, Tyrone did not get enough speed and landed on the front side of the landing ramp and was critically injured and knocked unconscious. He was helicoptered to the John Hunter Hospital where doctors tried to save him, but 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.

Tyrone was signed to the JC FMX team in 2010, and was one of the up-and-coming stars. 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.

Tyrone Gilks (11 December 1993 – 21 March 2013) was an Australian motorbike personality, known for his world record distance jumping and freestyle motorcross riding. Tyrone (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.