Guy Martin has succeeded in setting the world record for the fastest speed recorded on a Wall of Death. The 34-year-old British motorcycle racer and TV presenter rode a modified Indian Scout at 125.7kmph on the largest Wall of Death ever built, in Lincolnshire, UK.
For readers wondering what a Wall of Death means, the slang Mauth ka Kua might ring a bell. This popular stunt involves stuntmen riding or driving vertically along the inside wall of a huge cylinder, usually made of wooden planks. This specific Wall of Death though, is a bigger, much bigger version of the same motordrome which you might have seen in your local carnival or a circus. Also, while our local daredevils usually perform this stunt in battered Maruti 800s and two-stroke motorcycles, Guy had a silver Indian Scout purpose built to break this record to help his cause.
Guy got off to strong start by setting a pace of 113.1kmph, proceeding to touch 125.7kmph in his next attempt. The record attempt was performed in front of an audience and was broadcasted live on television. Dr Hugh Hunt, the designer of this Wall of Death said that the biggest risk that Guy faced attempting this record was passing out due to the immense G-forces exerted on the body. However, as it turns out, Guy successfully avoided losing consciousness while riding on an almost vertical wall. Describing this stunt as the ‘toughest thing’ he had ever done, Guy calls himself luckiest man alive for getting a chance to attempt this record. Well, we think it has more to do with his nerves of steel.
