Story by Austin Hiatt | Photos by Mike Carruth and Austin Hiatt
The Rebel Run Sports Camp has been on the BMX News radar for quite some time now. Over the course of the last two years, founder Travis Postany has built up a world-class facility and pushed the progression of BMX in creative new ways.
It’s the kind of place where you literally don’t know what to do first. “Let’s do gates on the 5m starting hill, and three-straight track,” “Let’s shred some (perfectly-groomed) trails,” let’s ride the indoor skatepark with foam pit,” “let’s ride minibikes…” 
When they announced the Super Pump Invitational Pump Race, we knew it was an event that we had to cover–especially since it was scheduled the day after the Lone Star Nationals. Travis, head visionary and founder of Rebel Run, welcomed select amateurs and A-Pros to mix it up with the AA pros in a head to head, chainless, flat-pedal pump race with a $10,000 purse to be split among the podium finishers ($5k to the winner, $3,000 for second place and $2,000 for third).
Travis Postany pulled out the bolt cutters to “help” a few Super Pump contestants check their chain.
The day started with a three-hour open practice session. Nothing but laughs were heard coming from the 5m starting hill as the athletes were getting used to riding a bike with no chain and talking about the hottest line choices around the track. 
As time trials got started, it became clear that the racing action was going to be very close. Impressive lap times were set by amazing riders such as Damien Lacombe and New Zealand’s Daniel Franks, but no one could top Layne Gainer who set the pace with the fastest time. The time trials set the seeding for the 1 vs. 1 heat races that lead to the finals. 
The racing was very tight leaving room for zero mistakes and tons of elbow rubbing action. The start of the race was key, however that did not guarantee a win, as riders like Bubba Harris and Lee Lewis were making remarkable passes. The action packed racing lead to a jaw dropping finals where Elliot McGrath raced his way to a respectable third place finish beating out Travis Postany for the final spot on the podium.
The championship round came down to Bubba Harris and the super pump time trial champion himself, Layne Gainer. Layne went on to beat out one of his BMX racing heroes to find himself not only undefeated for the day, but also the first ever Rebel Run Super Pump Champion, taking home the custom made champion’s cup and a five thousand dollar check.
Here’s what Layne told News after the event:
I have to say, being able to even attend the event was an honor. Some of the best riders BMX has to offer were there. Although the competition pool was deep, the laid back event format made it one of the best events I have competed in. The facility and people behind it could not be any better. Travis and Lee did one heck of a great job rounding up some talent to fight for the big cash they had on the line!
I was just happy to attend the event. I was unsure of how I would stack up against track speed gurus like Bubba and Elliot. I think my outside lane choice in each Moto allowed for me to get the first jump and not get cut off before I could pick up speed.
I still don’t think it has sunk in yet but I cannot believe I actually got to line up with my idol, Bubba Harris! Overall, my first time ever racing in Texas made for one heck of a great trip and as far as the money goes, it will be spent getting me to races the rest of the season to do what I love.
I have to say, being able to even attend the event was an honor. Some of the best riders BMX has to offer were there. Although the competition pool was deep, the laid back event format made it one of the best events I have competed in. The facility and people behind it could not be any better. Travis and Lee did one heck of a great job rounding up some talent to fight for the big cash they had on the line!
The Super Pump Invitational created an atmosphere that allowed 22 BMXers from around the world to compete together in a completely new and refreshing environment. It was agreed by all the athletes that participated that this was an event for the ages. Travis Postany, Lee Lewis, and the rest of the Rebel Run crew created an event that was just plain awesome.
In a final speech, after the podium presentation, Travis announced that this event was just the beginning for Rebel Run and that they looked forward to hosting more events like this one in the future. News is excited to see what comes next.
—Austin
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