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The most famous of them all was Evel Knievel.  During 1975, he jumped his Harley Davidson a distance of 151 feet at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada.  That was a new distance record for a motorcycle jumper.  He tried to best that at the Snake River Canyon but, as is well known, the effort on his rocket bike failed due to a malfunctioning parachute which opened prematurely.  Evel was lucky to escape that attempt with his life.  Well, Evel is long gone now.  His harrowing daredevil exploits and his life are behind him - may he rest in peace.  He was, indeed, the master motorcycle-jump artist of his time. 

This past weekend on 24 May 2008, Evel Knievel’s son, Robbie, bested his father’s record with a 220 foot jump at King’s Island, Ohio.  He jumped his bike over a lineup of 24 delivery trucks.  “Like father, like son” - the younger Knievel is a daring, exhibitionist bike jumper in his own right.  He has been building his commendable reputation for quite a few years and carries on the name and fame of his father, teacher and predecessor.  I’m sure we shall hear more of his exploits later on if the recent Ohio jump is any indication of his future intentions.  In fact, he will have to increase the distance in order to overtake the lead jumper of the day who happens to be an Australian by the name of Robbie Maddison.

Robbie Maddison is a 5 foot 8 inch, 160 pound, freestyle motocross and jump specialist who started his illustrious career at age four.  After racing and jumping his way through the years and suffering numerous broken bones in the process of developing his skills, Robbie figured he was finally ready for the big time last year at the age of 21.  That’s when he challenged the then-existing, all-time, jump-distance record of 310 feet.  His attempt to break this record occurred on 31 December 2007 at the Rio Hotel grounds in Las Vegas, Nevada over a football field.  His weapon of choice for this super challenge was a custom motorcycle made especially for this record-breaking attempt.

Robbie’s bike was a 500cc, two-stroke, liquid-cooled, 214 pound, aluminum framed, custom with stiff suspension, special gearing, handlebars and aerodynamic foils.  He intended to fly it like an airplane.  Robbie would use his shoulders as wings and ailerons, and rear-tire spin or brake for increasing or decreasing torque for pitch and yaw control.  His take off speed from the ramp would be at exactly 85 mph.  In theory, it was physics and physiology; in practice, it was man and bike.  It was all about beating that 310-feet distance barrier. 

Mr. Maddison and his custom motorcycle were poised at the starting line overlooking the Rio Hotel grounds and the ramp that would launch them into the air over the football field on that warm 31 December 2007 evening at 9:35 pm.  Sweat formed on Robbie’s brow and face under his helmet and face shield as he tweaked the engine.  He took a deep breath, mustered all his courage, focused his attention and energies on the task at hand, twisted the wick and let fly.  The bike eagerly bolted forward like a thoroughbred filly at the Preakness lustfully seeking the prize at the end of the race.  All of Robbie’s concentration was on hitting the ramp in the right spot and launching at the correct speed and attitude.  It all happened so fast, and, as if it were a dream come true, Robbie and bike were free of all constraints.  They were flying through the air with the perfect attitude, in an ideal arc, with pitch and yaw correctly controlled.  They hit the dirt on both wheels with a smooth and successful, record-breaking landing at 322 feet, 7 1/2 inches.  Robbie was so elated that he did the jump successfully a second time. 

And, so, Robbie realized his dream of breaking the world’s motorcycle-jump record.  His years of training and practice finally came to fruition.  As of that date and time - 31December 2007 at 9:35 pm -  Robbie Maddison was the undisputed king of “The Jumpers.”

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