LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A brand-new attraction celebrating the life and legacy of America’s most famous daredevil is opening Saturday in Downtown Las Vegas’ Arts District, and this morning Good Day Las Vegas’ JC Fernandez was live inside the Evel Knievel Experience for a preview.
JC was joined by Joe Pennington, Executive Director of the Evel Knievel Experience, who gave us a behind-the-scenes look at the interactive attraction while sharing great stories about Knievel’s incredible life and career.
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One of the biggest highlights of the morning was seeing “Big Red,” Knievel’s legendary Mack truck and trailer. The massive rig served as a rolling headquarters for Evel as he traveled from city to city performing for sold-out crowds. Joe took JC inside the truck, where the two sat in Evel Knievel’s actual chairs to wrap up one of the live segments.
We also got an up-close look at one of the most famous pieces in the collection, the Skycycle X-2 rocket used during Knievel’s 1974 Snake River Canyon jump attempt in Idaho. After being denied permission to jump the Grand Canyon, Knievel set his sights on the Snake River Canyon and worked with engineers to build the steam-powered rocket. While the parachute deployed too early and prevented him from clearing the canyon, the jump became one of the most talked-about stunts in history. The exhibit features not only the actual rocket, but also the suit Knievel wore that day and the launch ramp used during the jump…