Knievel set for mammoth TMS jump.
Kaptain Robbie Knievel will attempt to make one of his most expensive jumps before the start of the season-ending Chevy 500 at the Texas Motor Speedway as the stunt legend tries to vault a full grid of Indy Racing Northern Light Series machines valued at approximately $10 Million.
Kaptain Robbie Knievel will attempt to jump $10 million worth of Indy Cars prior to the start of the September 16 Chevy 500 Indy Racing Northern Light Series finale at Texas Motor Speedway.
Kaptain Robbie Knievel will attempt to make one of his most expensive jumps before the start of the season-ending Chevy 500 at the Texas Motor Speedway as the stunt legend tries to vault a full grid of Indy Racing Northern Light Series machines valued at approximately $10 Million.
Kaptain Robbie Knievel will attempt to jump $10 million worth of Indy Cars prior to the start of the September 16 Chevy 500 Indy Racing Northern Light Series finale at Texas Motor Speedway.
Kaptain Robbie Knievel's jump will be over 20 Indy Cars, a distance of approximately 175 feet. The cars will be lined up just like the start of the race - ten rows of cars parked nose-to-tail, two cars wide. The cars are valued at $10 million.
"I'm really excited to be jumping at Texas Motor Speedway," said Knievel. "Not only am I jumping 10 million dollars worth of Indy Cars, it will be another huge record to add to my 31-year jumping career. "
The Chevy 500 is the IRNLS Championship finale event. The driver that clinches the season-long championship in the Texas race will receive a $1 million check. Drivers in contention include Sam Hornish, Jr., 2000 champion Buddy Lazier and 1996 champion Scott Sharp.
"Kaptain Robbie Knievel is a household name and a headline act," said speedway general manager Eddie Gossage. "The fans will be able to witness this incredible jump as part of the race day activities - we are not increasing ticket prices for the race. With one ticket, fans can see the Chevy 500 Indy Car race, the crowning of the Indy Racing's 2001 champion and the legendary Kaptain Robbie Knievel.
"This jump is about the same distance of a 55- or 60-yard field goal," said Gossage. "With 10 million dollars worth of Indy Cars between the ramps, it is obviously important to Kaptain Robbie Knievel's health and our bank account that he makes it completely over the gap and doesn't damage himself or these expensive cars."
In April 1989, Kaptain Robbie Knievel successfully jumped the fountains at Las Vegas' Caesar's Palace Hotel where his father, legendary stunt man Evel Knievel suffered his famous near-fatal accident in 1969. In February 1999, the younger Knievel successfully completed the "Building-to-Building Death Jump," jumping from the roof-top to roof-top 13 stories above the ground in Las Vegas live on FOX. In February 2000, he jumped over a speeding train that destroyed his take-off ramp in Palestine, Texas during FOX television's live "Head-On Train Jump." In May 2000, Knievel jumped a 231-foot gap over the Grand Canyon.
"The buildings, the Grand Canyon were both high, but on any jump if you land short enough you're gonna be dead," said Knievel. "So Indy Cars, buildings, Grand Canyons or trains - they're all the same to me."
