Robbie Knievel clears Austin jump

AUSTIN (KXAN) - As storm clouds gathered and bikers roared in the street, Robbie Knievel jumped more than 180 feet across Congress Avenue - that's two Budweiser beer trucks for those who were watching.

The original plan was to jump three trucks and 280 feet - and there's no word on why he chose to remove a truck and 93 feet.

But the event was impressive nonetheless, with one of the nation's tallest Capital buildings in the background and pyrotechnics shooting into the air as thunderclouds blacked out the night sky above.

The jump was the highlight of the Republic of Texas bike rally, a yearly event when some 200,000 bikers roar into town for a four-day party. Throughout the day, tornadoes spun just an hour away and thunderstorms threatened to kill the jump altogether.

Knievel was dressed in the blue-and-white uniform reminiscent of his dad, Evel Knievel, and revved up the crowd before the jump began. He did practice runs, pumped his fists in the air, rode to the top of the ramp and back down again.

And then rocketed across the avenue as the bikers went crazy. Watch the jump below:

"Freebird" by Lynard Skynard blasted into the air. Flanked by two American flags, Knievel pumped his fists in the air as his friends and fans congratulated him.

After more than 240 jumps, Knievel survived another one.