X Games Star Travis Pastrana Comes to Town

Dirt bike champion, Subaru rally rider and X Games gold medalist Travis Pastrana greeted fans and signed autographs Saturday at a free event at Evanston Subaru in Skokie.

"This is the biggest celebrity event we've ever had," said dealership owner Rob Paddor.  "People have been waiting in line since 8:30 this morning."

Paddor said he watched Pastrana break the world record for the longest rally car jump on New Year's Eve and decided that he needed to have him visit the dealership.  About 500 fans showed up, some bringing car hoods and fenders for Pastrana to sign.

"I'm a fan of Travis and Subaru, so it's great that the dealership is doing something like this," said John Mendola, who drove from Lombard for the event.  "[Pastrana] is a really big deal."

Pastrana spent about a minute or two with each fan, signing posters and T-shirts as well as posing for pictures.  Fans also had a chance to sit in a replica of the car he used for his 269 feet record-breaking jump in Long Beach, CA.

Taking snapshots in front of the car, Rex Garcia, 12, said he was happy that Pastrana signed a picture that he made for the occasion.  His mother, Anne Haddad, said her son made the picture, a compilation of two images of Pastrana doing jumps, right after he heard of the event.

"He's been watching Travis ever since he was in motocross, before the car stuff," Haddad said.  "We've been looking forward to this event for a few weeks now."

"We've had this date circled on our calendar for two months," said Noreen Heffernan, who said she showed up because of her love for both Pastrana and the X Games.  "I got my T-shirt signed, so I'm really happy."