Stuntman to try failed canyon jump

Hollywood professional wants to prove Knievel could have made it

This Hollywood stuntman doesn’t want to follow in his idol’s footsteps so much as rocket above them — over a gaping canyon, no less. Evel Knievel’s iconic launch, Take II.

Eddie Braun, fuelled by the memory of the late daredevil, plans to strap into a steam-powered rocket cycle on Sept. 17 for his most death-defying role yet: Replicating a launch over the Snake River Canyon in Idaho that almost cost Knievel his life four decades ago.

Braun named his rocket Evel Spirit after his boyhood hero.

It’s nearly identical to the model Knievel used for his failed canyon attempt on Sept. 8, 1974. Braun wants to prove Knievel could have made it if his parachute had not deployed prematurely.

Along for the ride in this endeavour are two young men eager to complete the legacies of their fathers: Kelly Knievel, who was present the day of the crash, and rocket designer Scott Truax, whose father constructed the original rocket cycle for Knievel. Ready, set, and (gulp) launch. “Evel took off on one side of the canyon in 1974. I’m hoping his spirit lands on the other side of the canyon in 2016,” said Braun, 54, who says he completed the necessary paperwork and will launch a few miles away from Knievel’s original site.

“How many people get to fulfil the dreams of their hero? It’s kind of like touching Superman’s cape.”

Braun has long been fascinated by everything Knievel, the popular figure who attempted so many memorable motorcycle jumps during his iconic career, including the Snake River Canyon attempt.

Soon after takeoff, his parachute deployed and halted the rocket’s momentum.

Evel Knievel walked away with only minor injuries.

Evel Knievel died in 2007 at age 69.

Braun became a professional stuntman because of Knievel, serving as a stunt double for actors such as Ray Liotta and Charlie Sheen, along with co-ordinating stunts for movies, TV shows and music videos.

For three years, he has tried to launch this project and has invested nearly $1.5 million. He’s looking to raise another US$150,000.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS/FILE Evel Knievel sits in the steam-powered rocket motorcycle that he had hoped would take him across Snake River Canyon in Twin Falls, Idaho, on Sept. 8, 1974. Knievel survived the failed jump.