By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
BRODIE Carmichael was laid up recovering from a serious crash five years ago when he had the thought to combine two of the most dangerous sports in the world to create an action packed and interactive live show.
Now his dream will hit the turf and come flying through the skies this April.
Bikes and Bulls will showcase some of Australia’s top cowboys and toughest bulls as Aussie FMX greats dangle off their bikes 50ft above the rodeo arena.
Mr Carmichael and Bikes and Bulls partner and commentator Jed Townes and their team of six bike riders and eight bull riders have been rehearsing since November, with the youngest bull rider being 15 years old.
“It’s an action sports event but it’s not all action, it’s very interactive with audiences which makes it different from other adrenaline shows, you can have a laugh and you don’t have to like bulls or bikes to have an awesome time,” Mr Townes said.
They have been working hard to organise the show, building their own infrastructure and visiting local schools.
“Brodie has put his house on the line to fund the show and since then we have worked tirelessly building and shaping the event to what it has become today,” Mr Townes said.
The team has visited seven schools since March and about 3500 school students delivering their own motivational presentation.
“This is the first time we’ve built a full package about Brodie’s hurdles and setbacks, the motivational presentation is not just about bikes and bulls but about how we got to where we are now, working hard and how what we learnt at school has been really practical in getting us here,” he said.
Mr Carmichael said his passion for motocross has stayed with him since he was a teenager.
“There were two big influences in my life when I was growing up, riding bikes and riding bulls.
“So even as a young boy I was into extreme sports,” Mr Carmichael said.
One thousand tickets have already sold for the Toowoomba show on Saturday 18 April at the Clive Berhofer Stadium.
The finale will showcase four bikes flying high while cowboys hold on down below and an array of fireworks.
Eight shows are planned for 2015 with a vision for 16 shows in 2016, tickets can be purchased at www.bikesandbulls.com.au
