Mad Mike Hughes2013 Sturgis Buffalo Chip 2013 Daredevil ExtravaganzaDaredevil “Mad Mike” Hughes will attempt a world record in support of the Sturgis Buffalo Chip’s 2013 daredevil extravaganza during the Sturgis motorcycle rally by jumping his outrageous steam powered rocket cycle as far and high as Evel Knievel once attempted over Snake River Canyon, Idaho.
Hughes contends his rocket will hit 275 mph and propel him over 1000 feet high for a quarter mile with no guidance system, clearing the distance that will be required to successfully accomplish Evel Knievel’s failed Snake River Canyon Jump.Hughes intends to make his Snake River Canyon attempt in 2014. Hughes’ world record 2013 Sturgis Buffalo Chip hosted jump will take place Tuesday, Aug. 6.“Sturgis is going to be huge,” says Mike Hughes, famous for his record breaking stretch limo jump in 2002. “I plan on doing what Evel Knievel failed to do.”On Sept. 8, 1974 world renowned daredevil, Evel Knievel, pushed the limits by attempting a record breaking jump over the Snake River Canyon. However, as the skycycle he was riding cleared the edge of the canyon his parachute deployed prematurely resulting in Knievel’s first of two serious crashes during the Wide World of Sports series. Luckily Knievel and his skycycle landed on rocks instead of the raging river below which likely saved his life.Almost 40 years later, “Mad Mike” Hughes follows Knievel’s footsteps, attempting the dangerous and potentially deadly jump that failed so many years ago. Mike Hughes, a former limo driver and NASCAR crew chief, has built a steam rocket that measures 15 feet 6 inches long and weighs 900 pounds. The never before tested steam powered rocket cycle will provide 4,000 pounds of thrust to hopefully launch Hughes off a ramp and into the Guinness Book of World records. The attempt, to be hosted by the Sturgis Buffalo Chip, will be filmed for national television.The Mike Hughes’ one time only Pre-Canyon jump will be held Tuesday August 6 during the Sturgis motorcycle rally. For more information on this and other world breaking events taking place, or to submit a stunt of your own visit buffalochip.com. Spectators can purchase tickets in advance or at the gate.
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This week, in the first segment Editor Don Williams talks to us about the new Kawasaki Versys 650 LT. It’s the middleweight ADV style machine that uses the same 650 parallel twin motor as the Ninja 650, so it’s an excellent performer in a user-friendly, good looking package.
In the second segment, I chat with one of my dearest industry friends—now retired Honda PR executive, Jon Seidel. Jon’s fascinating career spans some 30 years with Big Red, and gave him some great experiences with some incredible machines. I was fortunate enough to be invited on many of the press launches that he organized. His new project is documenting and saving many of the old archives from years gone by—and incidentally, if you have anything that may be of value to the project, please contact us by email at producer@ultimatemotorcycling.com and we’ll pass it all on to Jon.
So on that note, from all of us here at Ultimate Motorcycling, we hope you enjoy this episode!
