Hutchinson Leader - Robbie Knievel s New Year s Eve jump over Mirage volcano to air on FOX TV

Robbie Knievel's New Year's Eve jump over Mirage volcano ... by Matt_McMillan

"Kaptain" Robbie Knievel may end his U.S. motorcycle jumping career New Year's Eve with a 200-foot jump over the newly renovated Mirage Hotel volcano - while it is erupting. Part of FOX TV's New Year's Eve special airing on FOX 9 at 11 p.m. in this area, the Las Vegas show also features performers Lynyrd Skynyrd, American Idol winner David Cook and others. Knievel, 46, is on the final lap of his career after jumping more than 250 times including more dangerous and longer lengths this year. He appears to be gearing up for two potential unmet goals before retirement. But, he needs to survive Wednesday night's jump to accomplish his remaining goals. More about future goals in a bit. The Mirage volcano is part of Las Vegas icon Steve Wynn's billion dollar resort. It erupts a reported 60 feet in the air with fire and fury. Eluding the fire and heat from the volcano and cold from the outside weather will add a distraction that more novice jumpers might not survive. The 200-foot distance will require Knievel to get up to a speed as high as 80 or 90 miles per hour or more when he takes off. If he flies through the volcano untouched, he will land right on the Las Vegas strip, which will be closed for just for the jump. Planning for each of Knievel's jumps is extensive. He relies on a seasoned crew to determine the ramp locations. While he does use a more modern and a lighter-weight bike with shock absorbers than his dad, Evel Knievel, he seems to hold to more old-school ramps. Other jumpers use longer ramps to get extra distance, while Knievel does not. The volcano jump will take place exactly 41 years to the day after his father's unsuccessful jump at Caesar's Palace. That jump resulted in Evel falling into a coma and spending six months in the hospital. His son revenged that failure at the palace fountains in 1989. If he survives Wednesday's jump, Knievel plans to jump at the site of one of his father's worst crashes, Wembley Stadium in London. It is a particularly small venue and extremely dangerous. Knievel plans to go old-school for this jump, using a heavier Harley. Wembley is one of only two jumps Knievel has not surpassed of his father's career. The other jump is the Snake River Canyon. Robbie Knievel has been working with engineers to develop a rocket bike for that jump, too. But, no firm dates or commitments are known for that ultimate roll of the dice.

December 30, 2008 10:42 PM | 294 views | 0

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post a response

Watch the jump

by Matt_McMillan

in response to Robbie Knievel's New Year's Eve jump over Mirage volcano to air on FOX TV

January 01, 2009 09:57 AM | 0

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Watch the jump here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07AsbYhITio
Robbie jumps the volcano and lands without crashing at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada Dec. 31, 2008.

Call me insensitive or

by neveruse

in response to Robbie Knievel's New Year's Eve jump over Mirage volcano to air on FOX TV

December 31, 2008 08:48 AM | 0

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Call me insensitive or superstitious, but it seems like it would be bad luck to have Lynyrd Skynyrd there. Didn’t half the band die in a fiery plane crash? Will Robbie Knievel smash mirrors while riding his motorcycle under a ladder before the jump (perhaps preceded by a parade of black cats?), just to solidify his chances of being slaughtered?
(Jorge Sosa is a staff writer for the Hutchinson Leader. He can be reached at [email protected])