August 6th at 5 p.m. at the Sturgis Buffalo Chip. The bravado but also the fear of a stuntman named Doug Danger convinced he can succeed where even Evel Knievel failed and others ended up severely injured. A world record attempt to make a crazy motorcycle jump to clear 22 cars on the same 1972 Harley-Davidson XR-750 Evel Knievel used. If at the time Knievel failed it’s because he could not reach the required speed of a minimum of 80 mph to clear the distance.
Front of about 6000 spectators biting their nails, at first approach, red, white and blue suited Doug Danger realized that his speedo indicated a speed under 80 mph. So he decided to increase his launch distance by about 100 yards, starting his jump among campers sipping beer on their lawn chairs… With all the odds against him and a light breeze blowing from the west Danger made his ride into history, clearing all 22 cars and landing safely although the force of impact on the bars created injury on his wrist and thumb. After the jump, he declared that if the money is right he is ready to attempt more crazy jumps above buses and tractor-trailers…
“These people saw one of the greatest jumps in the history of motorcycling today,” said Buffalo Chip President Rod Woodruff. “Thousands of people were holding their breath and the tension was unbelievably high when Doug flew off the end of that ramp, but he was successful and it was an incredible moment.”
Danger will spend the rest of the rally week relaxing and signing autographs around the campground and at the Evel Knievel Thrill Show located in the CrossRoads area at the Buffalo Chip. By the way, at the Buffalo Chip CrossRoads you can get the full Evel Knievel experience and come face to face with the world’s largest collection of Knievel curiosities. You can get an up-close look at X-rays of Knievel’s broken bones, at his his X-2 sky cycle rocket, at his Mack truck show rig he named “Big Red,” at his iconic “Sports Illustrated” leathers and cape, and much more. (photography @ H. Roesler for C. Huze)
Good Stuff!
Double D, AKA The Silver Fox ain’t no joke!
LOVE IT! This is the stuff that makes motorcycles so much fun. CONGRATS
he was butter smooth! proud to know him and have grown up around him in Massachusetts! cancer survivor..head injury survivor..former world record holder! he deserves the attention! and applause
what a thrill
Good jump! Caesars Palace next?
congrats
That was a great jump! Dude has balls of steel!
Question though: they keep saying he broke the world record, but Robbie Madison jumped over 320 feet a few years ago. Is this the record for a jump on a Harley?