Columnist Susan Snyder: Limo driver may see bubble burst

Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2004 | 8:11 a.m.

There's no need to go looking for the world's crazy people because, eventually, they all come here.

Michael "Mad Mike" Hughes will be visiting Las Vegas in March, when he will attempt to jump more than 100 feet from the top floor of Binion's Horseshoe to the top of the seven-story parking garage across the street.

And he'll do it while driving a Lincoln stretch limousine. (Turbo-powered, in case you're concerned.)

We could have made the obligatory phone call to ask Mad Mike whether the sprains, broken bones and concussions suffered in past stunts have deterred him and then ask why he'd attempt the Las Vegas stunt.

The first answer is pretty obvious: No. And the second would be the usual you-only-live-once philosophy about how we need to live with gusto.

For many, "gusto" means ordering the pie with the ice cream.

For others, it means driving a limo off the top of a seven-story building.

Of course, there is a whole range of gusto in between. But we're talking about the extremes here.

And for those into extreme experiences, the releases being sent to the news media about every other day concerning Hughes' March 5 limo leap say there's a spot available to ride with him. It is to be auctioned on eBay, with bids to start at $100,000.

As of Monday, I couldn't find it listed on the online auction site. But keep checking. Something this maniacal is sure to find its way there.

Just what type of person would bid on such a ride? Well, the obvious choices include those who would ride the Stratosphere's X Scream or the Las Vegas Monorail. (Sorry. Can't help myself.)

And there are those who simply have too much money.

But the stunt's Web site (www.limolaunch.com) lists some actual demographics to give us an idea of who sits in the typical sport and stunt audience.

The majority are men.

(Gee, would you have ever guessed?)

About a fifth (19 percent) are 25 to 34 years old, but 56 percent are 35 or older. Most (64 percent) are married, and 72 percent own their homes. It says 37 percent of them earn $60,000 a year or more, while 30 percent earn $30,000 to $59,000 annually. And 41 percent spend their fun money on car parts.

Basically we're talking about middle-age, middle-class, married men in the suburbs who obviously are bored and spend a large portion of their discretionary income on car stuff.

No figures were available to support my theory that a fair number of bored, middle-age, middle-class, married women in the suburbs are asking themselves: "Are they sure there's room for only one passenger?"

Now, those who fret that Hughes will cause a huge mess when he comes crashing to the ... that is, who are concerned that Hughes might suffer a few bumps in his mad March endeavor, can rest assured all necessary safety precautions are being taken. (Except for the obvious one, of course.)

Hughes reportedly covers himself in bubble wrap, which evidently protects all kinds of nuts, from holiday cashews to stunt drivers.

Promotional materials didn't say whether the winner of the ride will have to supply his or her own bubble wrap.

But it would seem a prudent item to include in the ride's price tag -- if only to protect the upholstery.