TX Man Hoping to Outdo Evel Knievel on Jump

Two daredevils hoping to succeed where Evel Knievel failed 40 years ago in jumping a southern Idaho canyon are looking at delays due to television scheduling.

The Times-News reports the dates for the Snake River Canyon jumps are being pushed back to late September or October.

Texas motorcycle daredevil "Big Ed" Beckley says he'll clear the chasm on a rocket-powered motorcycle. Hollywood stuntman Eddie Braun says a steam-powered rocket will carry him to safety.

Fox Television in May agreed to broadcast both attempts, possibly on the same day.

The Snake River Canyon is a quarter-mile wide in some places and 500 feet deep.

Knievel, who died in 2007, failed in to make it across in 1974 in a rocket-powered "Skycycle" when his parachute malfunctioned and deployed after takeoff.

Strong winds blew the cycle into the canyon, landing him near the swirling river below. Knievel suffered minor injuries.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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