Blackwell Breaks Record
BLACKWELL BREAKS RECORD
Evel Knievel soars again? Not exactly. Bubba Blackwell, the only stunt-jumper currently riding a Harley-Davidson XR-750, recently smashed Knievel's longstanding 19-car effort by clearing 20 autos. "Knievel was definitely one of the finest showmen of the era," Blackwell said postleap. "To beat his record using the same type of motorcycle is a dream come true."
More than 20,000 spectators lined the street outside Harley-Davidson/Buell of Boston to watch the Alabama native make his historic jump. The gala event was a promotion for the newly opened, 86,000-square-foot dealership, which is billed as the world's largest Harley-Davidson retail store. The festivities also in cluded a parade and a custom motorcycle show.
Knievel, meanwhile, is not well. As a result of con tracting hepatitis C from a blood transfusion (Up Front, June, 1998), the 59-year-old retired stuntman desperately needs a liver transplant. Reportedly, he has been given less than six months to live. "I ab solutely need a new liver as fast as I can get it," Knievel said. "I'm on the list, If they beep me, I've got eight hours to get in there and have the transplant."
