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Knievel to attempt father's jump | Knievel to attempt father's jump |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The son of stuntman Evel Knievel plans to complete a double-decker bus jump that nearly ended his father's career. | The son of stuntman Evel Knievel plans to complete a double-decker bus jump that nearly ended his father's career. |
Robbie Knievel, 47, will try to jump over 16 buses at Wembley, west London, in May - riding the same rocket-powered motorbike model as his late father. | Robbie Knievel, 47, will try to jump over 16 buses at Wembley, west London, in May - riding the same rocket-powered motorbike model as his late father. |
Evel Knievel broke his pelvis during his 1975 bid to jump over 13 buses. | Evel Knievel broke his pelvis during his 1975 bid to jump over 13 buses. |
"Although my dad's jump ended with broken bones and a lot of pain, I'm confident he'll be smiling down on this one," Mr Knievel said. | "Although my dad's jump ended with broken bones and a lot of pain, I'm confident he'll be smiling down on this one," Mr Knievel said. |
"Daredevils are a dying breed. I'm proud to have been raised by one and to be one myself." | "Daredevils are a dying breed. I'm proud to have been raised by one and to be one myself." |
He will ride a classic Harley Davidson XR-750 during the challenge. | He will ride a classic Harley Davidson XR-750 during the challenge. |
His father attempted the stunt in front of an audience of 90,000 people at Wembley Stadium, on 25 May 1975. | His father attempted the stunt in front of an audience of 90,000 people at Wembley Stadium, on 25 May 1975. |
Whether I make or miss it, at least I gave it a shot Robbie Knievel | Whether I make or miss it, at least I gave it a shot Robbie Knievel |
But his rear wheel clipped the last bus in the row and he somersaulted onto the ramp with the bike crashing down on top of him. | But his rear wheel clipped the last bus in the row and he somersaulted onto the ramp with the bike crashing down on top of him. |
A concussed Knievel announced his retirement over the stadium's PA system. | A concussed Knievel announced his retirement over the stadium's PA system. |
Nevertheless he returned five months later, successfully clearing 14 buses in Ohio and setting a new world record. | Nevertheless he returned five months later, successfully clearing 14 buses in Ohio and setting a new world record. |
The senior daredevil, who made 300 jumps before retiring in 1980, died aged 69 in November 2007. | The senior daredevil, who made 300 jumps before retiring in 1980, died aged 69 in November 2007. |
His son gained fame in 1989 when he successfully jumped 150ft (45m) over the fountains at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas. | |
He has completed more than 350 professional jumps, including 20 world records. | He has completed more than 350 professional jumps, including 20 world records. |
Mr Knievel said he was "looking forward" to attempting to clear the 1,600ft (488m) gap in May. | |
"I can never fill the shoes of my father because he was the greatest stunt guy in the world - the greatest daredevil," he said. | "I can never fill the shoes of my father because he was the greatest stunt guy in the world - the greatest daredevil," he said. |
"Whether I make or miss it, at least I gave it a shot." | "Whether I make or miss it, at least I gave it a shot." |