How did the ramp first come to life?
We (Joe and Taj Mihelich) started T-1 at the end of 1997, and moved to Austin a year later. We built the first stage of the ramp in March of 2002. It was basically a forty-foot wide, seven-foot mini with a ten and a half-foot vert wall. At the time there was a new skatepark up north, and when it moved from down south, they built all new ramps. One of the things they built was a seven-foot mini with an eight-foot extension . It was so much fun. That size just felt so good. There was 9th
Where did the Skatelite come from?
The Skatelite was a hookup we got through Taj. He originally made his contact when he lived in Washington and was building his Thunderdome park (RIP). The Skatelite has had a big role in what's kept the ramp in such good condition over the years. Communication with them always varied, so we never really knew if we would ever be able to get more. On one occasion, we had been trying to get a hold of them, but had no luck. Taj had emailed them but never got a response. So we kind of forgot about the next ideas we were talking about in regards to the ramp. Then one day, thirty sheets just showed up without warning. Ha. At the time, we had no money to put towards for lumber. My credit card was at zero, and I was like fuck it, I don’t care, let’s run it. It was six grand for lumber. So we got what we needed and Ryan Corrigan grabbed was off and running. We had finished this new addition a week before I left on the train trip with Ruben back in 2005. Our trip was six weeks long and the very last stop was the Soul Bowl vert event in England. I entered and somehow got second in the contest. As luck would have it, I won the exact amount of money that the new addition on the ramp cost me before I left. I came home, deposited the check, and paid my credit card back to zero. Talk about the special powers the ramp had! I remember when they told me I got second and how much money I won, it was like someone bringing me a spine, an eight foot quarter, and giant hip landing onto the podium.
Where did the money for materials come from?
A lot of great people have come together to give money and help make this happen throughout the years; friends, Etnies… I’ve sunk a shitload of personal money into it, T-1, Empire. I hope I’m not forgetting anyone. It’s been a collective effort for it to get this far.