Watch: Travis Pastrana lands 3 crazy jumps, breaks Evel Knievel's records
Motocross champion and stuntman Travis Pastrana accomplished something Sunday that even the great Evel Knievel never did.
In an event televised Sunday on History Channel entitled “Evel Live,” Pastrana successfully nailed three motorcycle jumps identical to ones attempted by Evel Knievel, including one over the fountains at Caesar’s Palace that nearly killed Knievel.
Pastrana said it was “an opportunity to pay tribute to the man who inspired a generation to live for the moment and not be afraid to take chances,” reported the Los Angeles Times.
Pastrana, wearing the same style leather jumpsuit that Knievel wore when he attempted the feat in 1967, jumped 149 feet over the fountains, easily clearing them and landing perfectly halfway down the ramp.
History made! 3 jumps in 1 night. @TravisPastrana you are an absolute legend 🙌 #EvelLive pic.twitter.com/pZ3jCzqoxJ
— Nitro Circus (@NitroCircus) July 9, 2018
“It’s just been a lot of fun, but really, this is the one that matters the most to me,” Pastrana, 34, told History Channel, according to NBC Sports. “This is the most infamous location, Caesar’s Palace, to jump the fountain. It’s not the longest jump, but by far the hardest.”
Congratulations to @TravisPastrana on making history tonight! #EvelLive @NitroCircus @CaesarsPalace pic.twitter.com/Grmkk2C7C7
— HISTORY (@HISTORY) July 9, 2018
Knievel’s jump was about 141 feet in 1967. He wiped out on the landing and broke 40 bones, including his hips, wrists and ankles, as well as suffering a crushed pelvis and femur. He was in a coma for about 30 days, according to the Selvedge Yard, a website for motorcycle enthusiasts.
Stuntman Gary Wells tried the same jump in 1980, but he too failed the landing. Wells cleared the jump but missed the ramp and crashed into a wall. He broke his back and both his legs, among other injuries.
Knievel’s son Robbie Knievel tried it in 1989 and became the first man to do it. The distance for Robbie Knievel’s jump was 170 feet and he cleared it with relative ease.
In his tribute to Evel Knievel on Sunday, Pastrana made two other jumps that made Knievel famous.
For this first jump, Pastrana jumped over 52 cars, stacked three high, or 143 feet. It was two more cars and 23 more feet than Knievel did at the Los Angeles Coliseum in 1973.
First record-breaking jump by @TravisPastrana! #EvelLive @NitroCircus @CaesarsPalace 🏆 pic.twitter.com/3q1VSLJquf
— HISTORY (@HISTORY) July 9, 2018
The second jump was Pastrana’s longest, 192 feet over 16 buses, which stood 11.5 feet high.
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It was two more buses than Knievel cleared in 1975 at a stunt at King’s island Amusement Park in Ohio.
“It’s such an honor to live a day in Evel’s footsteps and literally in his boots,” Pastrana said. “I made my dreams come true and hopefully everyone enjoyed the show.
“I’m not done yet, but this was definitely the coolest thing I’ve ever been able to do.”
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