Evel Knievel on CycleJumpers.com

Left: Sean Nielsen and Matt Buyten of SCS Racing put on three incredible freestyle jumping performances during Evel Knievel Daze 2003. They were using mobile ramps for the first time and jumping over pavement for the first time, but clearing the 75-80 foot gap with ease. On his first attempt at the ramps, Justin Hoyer overshot and treated the crowd to an Evel Knievel-like crash, breaking his leg and cutting his forehead open. He spent the rest of the weekend videotaping the other jumpers with a cast and crutches.

Right: Freestyle motorcycle jumper Matt Buyten lets it all hang out with the "rodeo". Evel Knievel watched the stunt jumpers and said, "They say I started all this. If I would have known this is what it would lead to, I might not have."


Evel Knievel Daze, July 31-August 2, 2003 Butte, Montana
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Left: Evel Knievel on a new 100th Anniversary Harley-Davidson given to him for his birthday by the Harley-Davidson Motor Company. Right: Evel and Krystal leading the motorcycle parade around the Evel Knievel Loop in uptown Butte.

Left: Reckless Rex does a wheelie show for the crowd at Evel Knievel Daze. Rex was originally scheduled to jump 13 cars as part of the festivities, but crashed on a practice jump and broke four bones in his left foot. If you look closely, you can see the cast on his foot. Also on hand, but not performing, was Daredevil Doug Klang. Right: At least two of the custom Evel Knievel Gladiator pickups were in Butte for the week, including this one with a custom canyon jump tailgate.

Left: Spanky Spangler and crew line up the takeoff ramp for his car jump that was the climax of Evel Knievel Daze 2003. Right: Spanky Spangler rolls up the ramp on a test run the afternoon before his big jump.

Left: Cody Coppess of Pierre, South Dakota stands at the top of Spanky Spangler's car jump ramp. Spanky's plan was to do a barrel-roll in the air as he flew to the left and landed in the pile of cars. Right: Cody Coppess poses with the mangled remains of Spanky Spangler's car. In the background is the takeoff ramp, which collapsed under the weight of the car as it hit the pipe ramp. The car flew to the right instead of left as planned, landed on one of the junkers, and then did an airborne end-over-end flip and landed on the driver's side on the pavement. Spanky was fine, but not really happy with the results of the jump. "I knew the rotation was wrong when I left the ramp, it just didn't feel right," he said.

Left: Sean Nielsen and Matt Buyten of SCS Racing put on three incredible freestyle jumping performances during Evel Knievel Daze 2003. They were using mobile ramps for the first time and jumping over pavement for the first time, but clearing the 75-80 foot gap with ease. On his first attempt at the ramps, Justin Hoyer overshot and treated the crowd to an Evel Knievel-like crash, breaking his leg and cutting his forehead open. He spent the rest of the weekend videotaping the other jumpers with a cast and crutches. Right: Freestyle motorcycle jumper Matt Buyten lets it all hang out with the "rodeo". Evel Knievel watched the stunt jumpers and said, "They say I started all this. If I would have known this is what it would lead to, I might not have."
Special thanks to Chad Coppess for the Evel Knievel Daze professional photography and commentary. Thanks Chad for helping make this site even better and thanks for sharing your Evel experience!