I was recently assigned to cover daredevil Robbie Knievel. He was in town to promote a new Six Flags roller coaster created in his father’s (Evel) namesake by jumping 25 cars (about 170 feet) in the amusement park’s parking lot.
It was hot and muggy. Six Flags media relations required that the media be in place two hours before the scheduled jump time. Positioned under gray skies with an occasional peek from of the sun, we waited.
About an hour before the jump the fans gathered. There was no seating, only a fence to separate them from the jump area, advertisement banners and pyrotechnics.
Minutes before jump time a drizzle of rain picked up and turned into a pour that threatened to cancel the event. Robbie’s road crew snapped into action, covering the takeoff and landing ramps. Robbie’s fans – not a huge bunch, but loyal – didn’t budge. They stood vigilant. Waiting for the rain to stop … waiting for Robbie to emerge from his trailer.
Some had umbrellas, some did not. I had a remote camera set up near the fence. As they watched me scramble to partially disassemble and cover my gear, I glanced back and thought, “These people REALLY want to see this jump.”
Over the course of one half hour, the announcer periodically turned on his microphone to give the damp crowd the latest glass-half-full weather satellite reading and assure them that if the rain prevented Robbie from jumping, he would most definitely come out to address them.
This seemed to make them feel even better.
Eventually, the rain stopped. Tarps were removed. Motley Crüe began blaring again. And Robbie emerged from the trailer. He walked briskly and was followed by two guys, each walking a motorcycle. After some words to his fans honoring the legacy of his father, more than a few speed trials and some wheelies in front of the crowd, Robbie didn’t disappoint. He made the jump; making it look too easy.
Rejoicing, Knievel dismounted his bike. He jumped and pumped his fists, seemingly thankful he earned another check that day without breaking a bone. He was so excited that he interrupted himself from thanking the fans through the fence, climbed over it and hopped down to them, confounding his body guards. And the fans loved it!! They got more than they came for; more than they had anticipated while waiting in the rain.
