Using the designs, and the son of the original fabricator, of Evel’s original steam, powered rocket, 54-year-old stuntman Eddie Braun made it across the 427-meter canyon.
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Piloting a rocket he dubbed “Evel Spirit”, Braun accelerated to 430 miles per hour in just 3.9 seconds, reaching a height of 2,000 feet above the canyon before his parachute successfully deployed.
Footage of the stunt shows Braun’s rocket taking off from its ramp, reaching speeds of up to 430mph, according to KTVB, as he hurtles into the air before his parachute deploys and he’s seen slowly landing on the opposite side. The rocket reached an es.
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. The original idea was to have the jump take place on the original Knievel launch site and land on the state property of the north side of the rim.
The Knievel family turned up in Idaho to watch Braun’s attempt, which was inspired by the American stunt performer who died in 2007.
Scott Truax, the designer of Braun’s rocket, told the Idaho Statesman that after the stuntman was given the ok to launch he did not hesitate.
Braun says he likely spent $1.5 million to make this dream a reality.
Braun’s sole motivation for attempting the jump was because of his childhood hero. “How many people get to finish the dream of their hero?”
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Stuntman Eddie Braun embraces Evel Knievel’s daughter-in-law Shelli Knievel after completing his flight over the Snake River Canyon in the rocket “Evel Spirit” on Friday, Sept. 16, 2016, at Twin Falls, Idaho.
