“It was pretty cool”. Braun credits Knievel for his decision to beome a professional stuntman.
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Stuntman Eddie Braun talks to family members of Evel Knievel, Friday, Sept. 16, 2016, before his flight over the Snake River Canyon in Twin Falls, Idaho.
As he explained on Good Morning America in an interview prior to the attempt, “I met Evel Knievel as a small child and he inspired me so much when I met him”.
The rocket hit an estimated 400mph (around 640km/h) before its parachute deployed, allowing Mr Braun to land safely in fields on the other side. Among the crew that worked on the rocket was Scott Truax, the son of Robert Truax who was the original engineer for Knievel’s team.
Finally, after waiting over forty years, someone has successfully jumped over the Snake River Canyon.
Back in 1974, Evel Knievel attempted to traverse the canyon, but his parachute deployed too soon and he landed part-way across, sustaining minor injuries. “I’m simply finishing out his dream”.
“I don’t care if people think I’m insane or not”, Braun said. “How many people get to finish the dream of their hero?” “That guy was an idiot”, Knievel said in a 2005 documentary, “Absolute Evel”.
Braun’s sole motivation for attempting the jump was because of his childhood hero.
Knievel’s attempt drew plenty of spectators, and the resultant partying, fighting and mischief upset locals.
Tim Woodward covered the 1974 attempt for the Statesman.
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Stuntmen and daredevils certainly didn’t forget it, and 2014 was not the first time another jump had been proposed. Both times, his project went nowhere.
