Robbie Knievel to follow in dad's foot steps

When Evel Knievel attempted to jump a motorcycle over 13 buses in 1975 at Wembley Stadium in the UK, it almost ended his career. His rear wheel clipped the final bus, he lost control and smashed into the landing ramp and broke dozens of bones, including his pelvis. Understandly, he was out cold.

Half a year later he cleared 14 buses in the USA and now one of his progeny, Robbie Knievel, will attempt to break this record in a similar stunt, hoping to jump 16 double decker buses.

Riding a classic Harley-Davidson XR750, the 47-year-old will be hoping to make the distance and avoid being ragdolled into concussion by the unforgiving metal frames of the buses.

"Although my dad's jump ended with broken bones and a lot of pain, I'm confident he'll be smiling down on this one," Knievel said. "Whether I make or miss it, at least I gave it a shot."

Clearly a realist, the junior Knievel first hit the headlines in 1989 when he attempted a 45m jump over fountains at the notorious Caesar's Palace casino in Las Vegas. Since then he has set 20 world records and flown like an eagle during more than 300 jumps.

"Daredevils are a dying breed," added Knievel "I'm proud to have been raised by one and to be one myself.

"I can never fill the shoes of my father because he was the greatest stunt guy in the world - the greatest daredevil."

Knievel also plans to jump the Snake River Canyon in Idaho on a rocket-powered motorcycle later this year, to "avenge" his father who passed away in late 2007.