Gordon Bombay Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 Wow, what a day it has been. Never did I imagine I'd wake up in the morning to take a psychology test then eventually end up photographing the performance site being prepared for one of the most unique entertainers of our time. Yep, thats right, "Kaptain" Robbie Knievel, who will be performing his world record breaking jump at 7 P.M. tomorrow at the park. The event is included with park admission as are a plethora of many other events such as the return of the clown band (for one day only), an air show, excellent live bands (including one of my favorites: Catch 22), live entertainment, and all of your favorite rides, but onto my pseudo-trip report: I eventually made my way to Kings Island. The park's Public Relations Area Manager, Don Helbig, was kind enough to give me and Boddah1994 a tour of the jump site on the eve before the big event: The jump site is located in the preferred parking area: -Here you can see some of the grandstands to the right and the area where Knievel will land and coast to the left, as well as more grandstands over there. "Kaptain" Robbie Knievel will attempt to jump 24 Coke Zero trucks: -The last three are positioned under the "safety" area of the landing ramp. -Coke Zero trucks. At first the jump doesn't appear that intimidating, but this should give you an idea: Some passersby commented that "it doesn't look that big." Maybe this will change your mind: This will be the largest gap he has attempted yet. This photograph is from the landing ramp. Now its time to check out the launch ramp: Kaptain Knievel will accelerate to nearly 95 miles per hour before engaging this ramp. A view from atop the landing ramp. Quite an intimidating view. The next stop on the tour was the "ski ramp." This is the ramp that Knievel will start atop: -The view from up top, the black marks are skid marks from his practice runs. More photographs of the preparations can be viewed here. After checking out the jump site Boddah and I used our season passes to enjoy the rest of the evening at the park. I got to experience Crypt for the first time, take a ride on The Beast, and of course check out the progress on the Mystery Construction: For more photographs of the mystery construction this weekend check here. Special thanks to Mr. Don Helbig and the park for letting us bring you guys this exclusive sneak peek. Seeing this was a real treat for me as I have been a fan of Knievel ever since I first saw his "building to building" jump on television back when I was a kid. I can't wait for tomorrow and hope to see a lot of you there. As always, check back to KICentral for excellent coverage! Regards, -Gordon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoddaH1994 Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 Excellent work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dane Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 Amazing shots, gonna be a fun day today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iChase Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 Awesome man! The last one's sky is quite impressive. Was that an HDR? Did you get a new fisheye lens? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon Bombay Posted May 24, 2008 Author Share Posted May 24, 2008 No HDR, just drew out the highlights a tad, but for the most part its pretty natural. No, not a new fisheye lens, I borrowed a camera from school (Nikon D200 DSLR) and the widest lens they had (10mm fisheye). My goal is to photograph the event with my Cannon and 200mm, and then photograph it wide at the same time with the remote shutter on the D200. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BavarianBeatle Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 Just out of curiosity, if 3 of the trucks are under the landing ramp, how is he "jumping" them? Great pictures though, looks like you were there today about the same time we were...... Sadly, I will miss the event tomorrow. Had to schedule my son's birthday party with the family because several of them will be attending another "event" in Indianapolis this weekend....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iChase Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 No HDR, just drew out the highlights a tad, but for the most part its pretty natural. No, not a new fisheye lens, I borrowed a camera from school (Nikon D200 DSLR) and the widest lens they had (10mm fisheye). My goal is to photograph the event with my Cannon and 200mm, and then photograph it wide at the same time with the remote shutter on the D200. That's great! You certainly have it planned out. I have to say I like the 10mm fisheye. Have you done any HDR work? I would think you could do wonders with that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dane Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 Just out of curiosity, if 3 of the trucks are under the landing ramp, how is he "jumping" them? He is still flying over them, the last 3 trucks simply have a platform over them that if he does come up short, he lands of flat wood and can possibly save it rather than ending up between trucks in a very very bad situation. When Guinness measures jumps, its from the tip of the launch ramp to wherever the front of rear tire first touches ground. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BavarianBeatle Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 I understand. That makes perfect sense. Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
specialk141 Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 so robbie is really jumping over 24 Coke zero TRUCK CABS.... from what i can see not to take anything away fron the guy, cause it is certainly nothing i would ever dream of doing.... however, the cab of a semi sits a good 2 ft. lower than the trailer of the truck.... with the advertising, i would be expecting him to jump the top point of the 24 trucks... not a lower point... ya know? i would expect him to jump the trailer, not the cab... unfortunately i am unable to attend, due to work conflicts, however i would love to be there to see this... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon Bombay Posted May 24, 2008 Author Share Posted May 24, 2008 The actual truck part is the red part, including the cab. The white attachments are just the trailers. So it is truthful, he is jumping the trucks, not the trailers. Chase, as for HDR, I have tried it but was never happy with the results and see so much of it on Flickr that I don't find it truthful to how something really looks so I've never gotten into it that much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iChase Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 Yeah, I can understand that. It's difficult to execute right. I've been messing with it but my results aren't wonderful. I like it but in moderation. I do get a little sick of seeing everything in HDR on Flickr, even if it is stunning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HuktAwnFoniks Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 I was at the park yesterday as well and saw both areas. Obviously I didn't get to see as much of the jump area though. You said Catch 22 is playing? What other bands are they having appear? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jasper Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 I had thought as well that he was going to jump the actual trailers but that is still pretty impressive no actually it is REALLY impressive good luck to Robbie and i hope he makes it safely. Cant wait to see vids and pics of this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kawana Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 Thanks for the pseudo TR. Can't wait to see if he makes it or not. It'll be the first thing I check when I get home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shadow2k3 Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 By the end of the evening, there's sure to be at least a few videos of the jump on Youtube. I can't get there personally because of work being so close to said jump. But I'm sure that there will be videos of it. -S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iChase Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 I wish I could go. My school's graduation was last night so I have a bunch of open houses to visit. Needless to say, I would rather see Robbie Knievel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jasper Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 I am hoping my KICentral subscription on Youtube will come in handy tonight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vortex Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 I am hoping my KICentral subscription on Youtube will come in handy tonight. Don't count on KICentral for a video. It think one of mods posted their will be no video do to the wishes of Robbie or something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jasper Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 Ok so does that mean that no one can make a video or does that just mean KIC cannot make a video of it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IBEW_Sparky Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 From the brochure I got today for my 25 minute visit to the park (I have absolutely zero desire to deal with 2+ hour waits for EVERY decent ride... an hour and 15 for Backlot for Gods sake) it states "NOTE: Guests are not permitted to videotape or otherwise record Robbie Knievel's jump, in whole, or part, without Robbie Knievel's written permission. Any footage or reproduction ofthe jump is intended to and shall belong solely yo Robbie Knievel." Now in saying this, will there be vids taken? Of course there will... my suggestion is tbe be VERY sure to on YouTube within an hour tops of the jump to see any vids posted before they are pulled. I should have just hung here in Indy till about 330 or 4 and went down just for the jump.... oh well, lesson learned and KI/CF got me for $20 for the VIP grandstand seats I bought and didnt use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vortex Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 Did he make the Jump? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
masonguy21 Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 He did it! With a little bit of hesitation which is totally understandable, but he did it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rustbucket Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 Did he make the Jump? Yes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WooferBearATL Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 Done. That was very cool for him. I'm betting that he's very happy. (And kinda cool, too.) WLWT's streaming video is terrible! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cory Butcher Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 Woofer, At least you got streaming video! That was very cool, I was glad to see him jump the trucks successfully, it sounds like he said that he only went over 23 1/2 trucks though when he got off the bike. And he said, "These shocks suck, they are so stiff". I cant wait to hear the final distance estimate! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAHill Posted May 25, 2008 Share Posted May 25, 2008 To Go with the topic on videos, someone already got a small portion of the jump on YouTube about 20 minutes ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted May 25, 2008 Share Posted May 25, 2008 http://www.wlwt.com/news/16385783/detail.html http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/art...4/ENT/305240023 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iChase Posted May 25, 2008 Share Posted May 25, 2008 Beastfan, as nice as it was to see that, you can't post it here. Check the (I believe) Robbie Knievel FAQs topic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrankNfreak Posted May 25, 2008 Share Posted May 25, 2008 Lots of people walked back up through Timberwolf grumbling that it had been a waste of time...I wish I would have not bothered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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