Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Today in motorcycle history, March 26, 1971


 

  Everyone's favorite daredevil, Evel Knievel, begins a three-night stay at the Chicago International Amphitheatre.

  Evel is still acclimating himself to the Harley-Davidson XR-750 that he first used for a jump at Lions Drag Strip in Los Angeles on December 12, 1970 and now he finds himself performing 2 shows a day.  Six jumps, each one a little different than the last is what the fans are told. 

  And, once again, Evel Knievel delivers.

  By the end of the third day he clears 11 cars and 2 trucks much to the delight of the Chicago fans.    Especially one particular 13 year-old girl...

  Fortunately the nearby Stockyards are open and he gets a case of rib-eyes to take with him.  Ah, the perks of the job.  Leave some of your meat on the pavement but leave with some of theirs.

  The Chicago Stockyards closed on July 30, 1971.

  The Evel Knievel movie starring George Hamilton as Evel opens on September 10, 1971.

  The Chicago International Amphitheatre was closed and demolished in 1999.

 



The Stockyards.