Sunday, May 25, 2008

Robbie Knievel jumps 24 trucks in Ohio

Daredevil Robbie 'Kaptain' Knievel jumps over 24 delivery trucks, ...
May 25, 2008

Robbie "Kaptain" Knievel, son of the late daredevil Evel Knievel, successfully jumped over 24 delivery trucks Saturday night at the site of one of his father's most famous stunts.

"Hopefully I'll see you after the jump," Knievel told the crowd before he climbed the start ramp.

Knievel, 46, had said he would need to be going 95 miles per hour at take off for the 200-foot jump, which began from a three-story tall ramp and was completed amid wild cheers, booming explosions and shooting flames at Kings Island amusement park near Cincinnati.

After touching down at the tip of the landing ramp, Knievel gave the crowd a thumbs-up, raced his bike back and forth and popped a wheelie.

"He took a really hard shot at the landing," said Knievel's business partner, Jeff Lowe. "But he's thrilled. We're all thrilled. He was a lot more nervous about this jump than he let on."

Evel Knievel jumped 115 feet over 14 buses at Kings Island in 1975 in an event that was watched by more than half of the nation's television viewers. He died last year at the age of 69 after suffering from failing health for many years.

Robbie Knievel dedicated his stunt to his father, U.S. war veterans and those serving in the military.