Just about every Generation Xer knew who Evel Knievel was when we were growing up. His death-defying stunts on motorcycles and rocket ships were must-see television events back in the 1970s and ‘80s. Even though Knievel passed away in 2007, his legacy now lives on in the world of extreme sports.
A German freestyle motocross star has carried out an insane stunt that would have impressed Knievel. Luc Ackermann jumped his motorbike between two moving trucks on a highway. Oh, and he did a backflip over a 27-foot-tall freeway sign as he did it.
It wasn’t just a first-of-its-kind, death-defying stunt, but also a bit of a science and math achievement. Ackermann and his team had to calculate the precise location to begin his run, the combined speed he would need off the ramp to make the 120-foot jump at 45 miles per hour, and the height of the first ramp to help him successfully clear the highway sign without killing himself.
Needless to say, this isn’t something anyone should try at home. Or on the highway. We also suspect that an energy drink that’s prominently displayed on both of the trucks might have had something to do with this stunt.
Evel Knievel would definitely be proud to see this happen: