Evel Knievel's heirs set to lose fortune

Evel Knievel’s heirs could be out of pocket after former Knievel biographer Sheldon Saltman has finished with the stunt legend’s legacy.

Knievel attacked him with a baseball bat in September 1977, having taken a dim view of Saltman’s unauthorised biography, which he said damaged his reputation by suggesting he was and alcoholic and a drug user.

Saltman managed to get his arm between the bat and his head, in a move that may have saved his life, but the blow shattered the bone in his arm.

Saltman, who had been responsible for the PR of Knievel’s famous Snake River Canyon jump in 1974, and wrote his book “Evel Knievel on Tour” from notes taken around that time, brought down the full force of the law on Knievel.

Not only was the daredevil jailed for six months following the attack, but Saltman also won an incredible $12.75 million in damages – which has never been paid.

With interest over the 30 years since the attack, Saltman now reckons he’s owed an amazing $100 million (£50 million), and he says he’s going to do everything possible to claim that money from Knievel’s estate.

Despite the experience which followed the first book, Saltman published another tome this year, ‘Fear no Evel’ which again focuses on his relationship with Knievel.