Remembering Evel | motozania's Blog

Growing up in Great Falls, Montana during the sixties and early seventies was a motorcycle riders paradise. With the exception of the snow, which we sometimes rode in, it was pure heaven.

One of my favorite past times then was going to go to the stock car races on Friday nights during the summer. The races were great, but what everybody actually came out for was the halftime show. There was this guy who would jump his Harley Davidson motorcycle over cars. We all thought it was an amazing display of courage and insanity.

Of course I am talking about Evel Knievel. Back then he was an unknown to most of the world, but to us faithful, this guy from Butte was truley the "main attraction".

I remember one summer night in the late 60's when Evel was going to perform at the track. But this night was different. The stock car track was located right next to Highway 91 (Interstate 15). People who did not want to pay to come into the races would park on the highway and watch from their cars or sit on the hillside which gave them a perfect view.

On this evening, Evel grabbed a microphone and announced over the PA system that he would not jump until the people on the hill were gone. He actually said that everybody came to see him die and unless everybody paid to see him take that risk, he would not jump.

There was a standoff for a while. People in the grandstands were yelling to people on the hill to leave. No action came until a fire truck showed up and started to hose them off. Finally, there were all gone and Evel did his jump.

Over the years I saw Evel Knievel jump at least a couple dozen times including his fountain jump at Ceasar's Palace in Vegas. But none have ever held the memory so much as his comments about his possible death at the stock car track.

I think every FMX rider and motorcycle stunman owes a bit of thanks to the greatest cycle showman of all time. It was Evel who paved the way for an entire new generation, in fact an entire new genre of riding.

Here is to Evel is jumping clouds for eternity. I hope I get admission to the show.

Tim - MotoZania