Famous Stuntman's Son Sets New Record

As the son of Evel Knievel, one of the most daring and successful stuntman who ever lived, Robbie Knievel has big shoes to fill. However on Saturday, he proved he could not only live up to his legendary father, but actually outdo him.

In 1975, Evel Knievel jumped over 14 Greyhound buses at Kings Amusement Park in Cincinnati. His record remained intact for thirty-three years, until this Saturday, when his own son jumped over 24 Coke Zero delivery trucks at the same venue.

The jump began from a three-storey ramp, from which Robbie launched at a speed of over 95 mph to complete his 220 ft jump across the trucks. He was airborne for exactly 2.5 seconds, but it seemed like an eternity (forever), as onlookers held their breath hoping he would make it across.

While his father, who died late last year, was more famous, Robbie is no slouch either. He began jumping bikes when he was just four years old and rode motorbikes by the time he was seven. At the age of 12, he started accompanying his father to shows where he would provide the pre-performance entertainment with his jumps. To date, he has over 250 jumps to his credit and has set 20 records. The only knock against him is that he does his jumps on a modified Honda Motorbike, whilst his dad did them on his normal Harley Bike.

While his dad, Evel Knievel has his name in the record books for other things, his most famous entry in the Guinness Book of Records, still unbeaten, is for the 'person who broke the most limbs' - 35 in all!

As for Robbie, he now has his sights set on jumping the Snake River Canyon in Idaho - a feat that almost killed his father in 1974. We wish him the best in his endeavors.

Sources: The Independent, ITV.com