One township resident’s “Bad Habit” has landed him in record books.
Joe Sylvester III, 26, set the world record for the longest monster-truck jump. Sylvester piloted his monster truck, Bad Habit, 208 feet Sept. 5 at the Cornfield 500 in Columbus, Pa. The previous record was 202 feet, set 11 years ago.
But it wasn’t smooth sailing. Just five days before the jump during a practice run, Sylvester crashed Bad Habit. It landed on its front bumper, flipping forward three times. Sylvester, a 2002 Boardman High School alumnus, was able to walk away from the wreckage.
“I had no serious injuries. I was a little sore, a little beat up,” Sylvester said. “... The ramp was too extreme and sent me too high. The truck ran out of forward momentum.”
Working 17 hours each day until Sept. 5, Sylvester and his team managed to repair the 10-foot-tall, 10,000-pound 1,300 horsepower truck.
“We got it all back together, minus part of the body,” he said. “I had half a bedside on the right, and the tailgate was missing on the left side. The hood was patched together.”
Sylvester’s parents, Joe Sylvester Jr. and Kathy Sylvester, witnessed the crash.
“Believe it or not, this is the safest thing he’s ever done,” Sylvester Jr. said, noting his son’s earlier interests in downhill mountain-bike racing, stunts on four-wheelers and motocross racing.
Joe Sylvester III, 26, set the world record for the longest monster-truck jump. Sylvester piloted his monster truck, Bad Habit, 208 feet Sept. 5 at the Cornfield 500 in Columbus, Pa. The previous record was 202 feet, set 11 years ago.
But it wasn’t smooth sailing. Just five days before the jump during a practice run, Sylvester crashed Bad Habit. It landed on its front bumper, flipping forward three times. Sylvester, a 2002 Boardman High School alumnus, was able to walk away from the wreckage.
“I had no serious injuries. I was a little sore, a little beat up,” Sylvester said. “... The ramp was too extreme and sent me too high. The truck ran out of forward momentum.”
Working 17 hours each day until Sept. 5, Sylvester and his team managed to repair the 10-foot-tall, 10,000-pound 1,300 horsepower truck.
“We got it all back together, minus part of the body,” he said. “I had half a bedside on the right, and the tailgate was missing on the left side. The hood was patched together.”
Sylvester’s parents, Joe Sylvester Jr. and Kathy Sylvester, witnessed the crash.
“Believe it or not, this is the safest thing he’s ever done,” Sylvester Jr. said, noting his son’s earlier interests in downhill mountain-bike racing, stunts on four-wheelers and motocross racing.
“I told him privately after the crash, ‘You don’t have to do this,’ but he was just more determined,” Sylvester Jr. said.
The world record had been a goal of Sylvester’s since he started in the sport five years ago, and he didn’t want to give up.
“It’s definitely a mind-set, but I have that kind of mind-set with everything. Nothing’s going to hold me back,” Sylvester said.
Attempting and breaking the world record was a chance for Sylvester to publicize the sport and his name, hoping to attract large sponsors. This is Sylvester’s full-time job, and his earnings from shows go back into his truck and team.
Materials have been provided by local sponsors: Beckett Bodywork of Salem, Capital Powder Coating of Tallmadge, Abruzzi Transmission of Niles, Komar Plumbing and Boardman Steel. Scott Bennett and Kyle Kunkle are the team’s mechanics.
Now, Sylvester is just waiting to make it official.
The event was witnessed, photographed and video-recorded, and a certified civil engineer was present. Sylvester is sending all the paperwork, images and statements to the Guinness World Records.
“I still want to try again next year and break my own record,” he said.
The world record had been a goal of Sylvester’s since he started in the sport five years ago, and he didn’t want to give up.
“It’s definitely a mind-set, but I have that kind of mind-set with everything. Nothing’s going to hold me back,” Sylvester said.
Attempting and breaking the world record was a chance for Sylvester to publicize the sport and his name, hoping to attract large sponsors. This is Sylvester’s full-time job, and his earnings from shows go back into his truck and team.
Materials have been provided by local sponsors: Beckett Bodywork of Salem, Capital Powder Coating of Tallmadge, Abruzzi Transmission of Niles, Komar Plumbing and Boardman Steel. Scott Bennett and Kyle Kunkle are the team’s mechanics.
Now, Sylvester is just waiting to make it official.
The event was witnessed, photographed and video-recorded, and a certified civil engineer was present. Sylvester is sending all the paperwork, images and statements to the Guinness World Records.
“I still want to try again next year and break my own record,” he said.
