Phil Smage Jump Accident

On Friday, May 25, Nitro Circus athlete Phil “Smagical” Smage was injured during a world-record UTV distance jump at the Brimstone White Knuckle Event in Huntsville, Tennessee.

Thanks to the fast acting response from the Brimestone Recreations Medical Team and the Nitro Circus crew, Smage was safely aboard a life flight helicopter and on his way to University of Tennessee Knoxville Medical Center for further evaluation and treatment.
Smage sustained multiple broken ribs, a broken wrist, a broken collarbone and a fractured vertebrae from C3-C7.

On the evening of May 25, Smage underwent spinal surgery to fuse his C3 to C7 vertebrae.

As of now, Smage is in high spirits and is recovering from surgery. He has already gained movement in his toes and partial mobility of his arms. With injuries such as his, it will take some time to find out the long-term effect on his body. At this time, it is too soon to tell if he will require any more surgeries.

Even with the insurance coverage that Smage has, the financial burden is going to be extensive. There is going to be a long road to recovery with the possibility of in-patient hospital care and outpatient rehabilitation to address his multiple fractures in his vertebrae.

Road 2 Recovery, a non-profit group who helps AMA licensed professional motocross and supercross riders and action sports athletes with financial assistance if they sustain debilitating injuries, has set up a fund to benefit Smage during his recovery.

If you are able to help support Phil’s R2R cause, donations are being accepted. Any and all contributions are greatly appreciated. If not, please keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayers. #SmagicalStrong

Link: Road 2 Recovery

The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame recently named Marilyn Stemp and Steve Piehl to its board of directors.

Stemp is a pioneering figure in the motorcycle industry, founding IronWorks Magazine with her late husband, Dennis, and becoming the first female editor of a nationally circulated, mainstream motorcycle magazine. She also revived their trade magazine, Iron Trader News; edits the monthly Kiwi Indian News; contributes to several powersports media outlets; and is the founding editor of Sturgis Rider Daily. Stemp is a noted editor and writer of several motorcycle-focused books. Her consistent support for charitable efforts in the industry include the annual Biker Belles Celebration, Las Vegas BikeFest and as campaign chair for the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum’s development plan in 2014. She co-founded the Flying Piston charity events taking place in Daytona and Sturgis each year and is a National Ambassador for All Kids Bike. Stemp was inducted into both the Las Vegas Motorcycle Hall of Fame and the Sturgis Museum's Hall of Fame in 2018, and in 2022 she was recognized as one of the Top 100 Women in Powersports by DealerNews.