To recognize X Games star Travis Patrana—known for stunts such as a double back flip on a motorcycle and jumping out of an airplane without a parachute—Red Bull hosted an event at the Avalon Hollywood to toast and roast the motor sports icon. “If you think about the X Games, Travis Pastrana has revolutionized it, so we decided to take this opportunity to do a roast/tribute, do an after-party, and make this the biggest event of the X Games,” said Christina Hwang of Red Bull’s event team.
The presentation, hosted by comedian Arj Barker, started around 8:30 p.m., and was followed by an after-party at adjacent venue Bardot. Inside the Avalon Theater, a stage set built by Russell Harris Event Group for the event included white panels and, for the guest of honor, a throne-like chair emblazoned with the energy drink's name. The scripted presentation included video greetings from Pastrana’s friends and family members as well as live toasts from friends including Tony Hawk, Ryan Sheckler, Sal Masekela, and the crew of Nitro Circus, an MTV reality show that follows Pastrana.
Red Bull branding plastered the Avalon. The look included multiple product displays and branded gobos, along with X Games equipment such as a motor bike ridden by Pastrana during the 2006 X Games, when he won a gold medal. After the presentation, guests migrated to Bardot, where there were additional Red Bull displays such as helmets worn by past X Games winners and a wall of framed pictures of Red Bull-sponsored athletes. The presentation portion of the evening will be broadcast on MTV at a later date.
