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Evel Knievel's son plans to jump over daredevil's dad's Kings Island record
COMMENT: Do you think Knievel will make it over all 24 trucks?
GRAPHIC: Details about Knievel's jump
Thursday, May 22, 2008
To complete his motorcycle jump over 24 trucks on Saturday, May 24 at Kings Island, Robbie Knievel plans to double the distance his father covered in 1975. Evel Knievel went 114 feet; and Robbie aims for at least 224 feet.
"It's the longest gap I've tried since 1998 over the Grand Canyon," Knievel said.
Extras
Knievel said he has attempted to produce a Kings Island jump for years and was worried he would miss the chance as his career as a daredevil begins to wind down. Knievel turned 46 on May 7.
"I'm a grandfather now," Knievel said. "But I can still beat up any other grandfather."
The Kings Island jump idea took on an even greater significance for Robbie when Evel died in November from pulmonary fibrosis.
To help celebrate Evel's life and accomplishments, Robbie will bring much of his family, including wife, mother, daughters, and grandchildren to Kings Island to see him jump.
Knievel said he prepared for Saturday's jump with exercises to build upper body strength so he can pop his motorcycle up on its rear tire.
Evel Knievel drove a modified Harley-Davidson motorcycle for his Kings Island jump. Robbie Knievel will ride one of his company's custom-made Knievel motorcycles.
Getting hurt is an obvious risk in Knievel's line of work, but he said there's another downside: roller coasters like those at Kings Island lose some of their thrill. He still rides them, however.
"There's no chance I'm going to die on a roller coaster," Knievel said. "But I still love them. I love to take my family on them for just a taste of what dad does."
Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4544 or jmcclelland@coxohio.com.
Comments
By mike paget
May 25, 2008 4:24 PM | Link to this
I’ts a pretty admirable feat- but when i watch the motocross exhibiitons it looks like they clear that distance all the time-and that other dude cleared it and passed it by over 100 feet. Robbie Madison http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NikiU447Fhw
By Mike Paget
May 25, 2008 4:22 PM | Link to this
I’ts a pretty admirable feat- but when i watch the motocross exhibiitons it looks like they clear that distance all the time-and that other dude cleared it and passed it by over 100 feet. Robbie Madison http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NikiU447Fhw
By Andrew
May 24, 2008 11:40 PM | Link to this
I was there tonight for his jump and by God the man made it!!! That was an AWESOME jump and he dedicated it to his late father Evel Knievel!! Great Job Kaptain Knievel!!
By Rattlerswin
May 24, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this
Yes he’ll successfully make the jump. He learned from his father’s hap-hazzard attempts and technology is better. I think it’s great.
By c dean
May 24, 2008 8:41 AM | Link to this
What does it matter if he does or not? Being a son does not mean that you can do what your father did.The father was one of a kind.His son is a copycat.He needs a real day job and let his farther and his legacy be.If he makes it or not,so be it there can be only one Eviel and may he rest in peace.
By Frank Jaynes
May 24, 2008 2:06 AM | Link to this
Rob is a Daredevil, However you will only remember Evel. For instance Neal Armstrong. (Who was the second man on the moon) He never took a pic of neal up there. The most profound picture taken of Neal was by himself by accident through reflection of the 2nd mans glass on his facesheild. I admire Rob for carrying the torch, I am the third generation owner of our Family owned Buisness. Frank T. Jaynes Sanitation. So I understand its hard to fill the old timers shoes.
He will make it!
By Rodd
May 23, 2008 7:55 PM | Link to this
Nobody has perished on a roller coaster at Kings Island..there have been a few deaths there. One on the Eiffel Tower…an intoxicated woman slipped free of her restraints on Flight Commander and fell to her death…and three people were electrocuted in teh pond at Octoberfest.. You may be thinking of the Screaching Eagle at Lesourdesville Lake….a few people died on that one.
By El Blanco
May 23, 2008 3:08 PM | Link to this
“There’s no chance I’m going to die on a roller coaster”….Hello? Does anyone remember “The Bat” or “King Cobra”? If memory serves me correctly, both of those rides had fatalities within the last 20 years. Well Robbie, nobody ever said you had to be smart to be fearless.
By tm
May 23, 2008 2:26 PM | Link to this
What an idiot! Who really cares about this jump?
By Jack S
May 23, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this
Did you hear Robbie on WLW? This guy is a loser. He’s a mess. His father had promotional skills and good PR skills. Robbie has known. The radio interview was a total embarrassment .
By Mark
May 23, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this
Wow! Insanity must be genetic.
By Mark
May 23, 2008 1:40 PM | Link to this
Wow! Insanity must be genetic.
By Skywalker
May 23, 2008 12:46 PM | Link to this
According to the GRAPHIC it took a speed of 80 to clear 112 feet and Robbie is only going 90 to double that diatance to 224?? Do we have a math major in the house??
By k
May 23, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this
http://www.ohioonlineauctions.com
By DS
May 23, 2008 9:02 AM | Link to this
“Evel Knievel’s son plans to jump over daredevil’s dad’s Kings Island record”
WOW…worst, and most confusing headline EVER! Go Journal!
By Neal
May 23, 2008 8:55 AM | Link to this
Robbie K will make the jump,i’m sure. i am a lifetime fan of all the Knievels, i started collecting newspaper clippings& toys @ age 6 45 now, i admired Robbies father ,i followed his footsteps, jumping ramps, motocross,mc flattrack racing. All through life i felt a bond between myself & Evel Knievel, clear we thought alike, i was honored he passed on my birthday. I knew then there was a connection. People who talk down Knievels are less than a moron,get your hands dirty, try this stuff
By the truth
May 23, 2008 8:33 AM | Link to this
Sam…In case you did not read this is the kid and not the old man. The fact is that the chute was blown out before that thing reached the end of the takeoff ramp. Knievel was strapped in that thing and nearly drowned when it went into the river. He had no way to get out. Also, it was not even the Grand Canyon, it was the Snake River Canyon in Idaho. Is there anything else you care to post about so that you can make an a*s of yourself?
By the truth
May 23, 2008 8:23 AM | Link to this
I was in the vicinity of Kings island last night. Out of curiosity I stopped by to see the jump site around 7. To my surpise saw Robbie in the lot making run ups to the ramp checking speeds. In the time I was there he made 3 jumps (1 with no hands) over 12 trucks with no problem. He was riding wheelies on the approach. That tells me that he will have more than enough room for speed to make it. The shut down area looked tight and could be a problem. This man has the experience and will make it.
By chauphidaovan
May 23, 2008 8:19 AM | Link to this
God bless you Robbie and we know you can do it. Your dad would be proud and so would we. GO Knievel!!!
By sam
May 23, 2008 8:19 AM | Link to this
I’m sorry but Evil Knievel did the biggest ripoff of sports fans when he said he would jump the grand canyon on a motorcyle. It was televised live and wow, there was a rocket getting ready to take off, not a motorcycle. And when it reached its apex over the canyon, out came a parachute which took the rocket and Knievel safely to the canyon floor.
By chauphidaovan
May 23, 2008 8:17 AM | Link to this
God bless you Robbie and we know you can do it. Your dad would be proud and so would we. GO Knievel!!!
By Phil's witness
May 23, 2008 7:52 AM | Link to this
Yeah Phil can do it, i think Robbie might be able too also
By Phil Man
May 23, 2008 7:13 AM | Link to this
He can make it. I just did it myself last week.