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By Melissa McKenzie Dressed in clothing that would make Fred Flintstone jealous, five men, all employed by Jack’s Bar and Lounge in San Jose, will find out how far a rock can fly when they compete in the Red Bull Flugtag event in Long Beach, Calif on August 21. Larry Hoang, Charlie Mann, Matt Turney, Travis Walter, and pilot Jordan Trigg have not only created a “flying rock”, they have taken on the caveman attitude. With a visit to the team’s Facebook page, “Jack’s Bar aka Flying Rocks”, it is clear these guys have embraced a prehistoric persona. The page consists of information about a fundraiser they will be having at Jack’s Bar and Lounge on August 8th, photos of the crew and their vessel, and a set of hilarious video clips of them participating in various activities dressed as and acting like cavemen.

Mann explained that after Walter came up with the idea to participate in the event, he created the design, which is literally a flying rock. They knew their entry needed to stand out or it would be overlooked so they sent their design in rock-like packaging and created a video to accompany it. Mann said he checked online to see that the package had been delivered and within an hour of delivery they received a call from Red Bull with in invitation for them to compete.

“It’s not really going to fly,” says Mann of the craft, before pausing and adding, “all that much”, but distance is only part of the team’s score. They are also scored on the creativity both of their costumes and the aircraft’s design and their pre-jump performance, which is set to the music of their choice. They will be performing “The Hustle” to the 70s disco song of the same name. Toward the end of the platform they intend to lift Walter up, twirl him in a ballerina spin, and as a roar of a Tyrannosaurus Rex blares through the speakers, the four remaining men will push Walter over the edge and into Long Beach’s Rainbow Harbor.

The Rocks are traveling to Long Beach with an entourage of nearly forty people, including the entire Jack’s Bar and Lounge staff. They are encouraging everyone to dress up in cavemen costumes and root for them from the sidelines. They are hoping their cheering section will help them win the People’s Choice Award, which is voted on by the public through text message, but they have some difficult competition. The Flying Rocks are one of five non-Southern California teams and the only one from Northern California. Some of their Southern California competition includes a team from Bellflower, Airforce 1, who will be flying a replica of President Barrack Obama’s face, complete with giant ears (wings) and a “first lady” pilot, a team from Mission Viejo, Riding in the G-Funk Era, with their winged Chevy Impala driven by “Snoop Dogg” and chased by a pair of pimps and a team from Newport Beach, Band of Bruins, who will be piloting a giant bear who appears to be chasing former University of Southern California football coach, Pete Carroll, to Seattle. Beside the Flying Rocks, Airforce 1, Riding in the G-Funk Era, and Band of Bruins, 32 additional teams will be competing in this year’s Long Beach event. Regardless of the outcome, “We are having a blast,” says Mann. “We are having a ton of fun.”

For more information on Red Bull Flugtag or to see a list of competitors and their aircrafts, visit www.redbullflugtagusa.com.

Information on The Flying Rocks can be found at www.facebook.com/JacksBarSanJose or by attending their Red Bull Flugtag Fundraiser with ska-punk band Whiskey Avengers on August 8 from 12 noon to 8 P.M. at Jack’s Bar and Lounge. Jack’s Bar and Lounge is located at 167 E. Taylor St in the Japantown area of San Jose. There is a $10 cover to attend the event which includes the Whiskey Avengers show and two tickets for a hot dog or domestic beer. All proceeds from the event will go toward helping fund The Rocks’ voyage.