Racer/Daredevil Guy Martin set a new Guinness World Record, broadcast live on television and online March 28, for the fastest speed around a “Wall of Death.” A silo-shaped cylinder made of wooden planks, a Wall of Death installation usually ranges from 20 to 36 feet in diameter. Motorcyclists typically maintain speeds of around 20 mph in order to travel the vertical walls, using centrifugal force to hold themselves in place. To reach the 60 mph Martin needed to achieve for the record, yet limit the g-force his body would endure, the Wall of Death built for him in an otherwise unused hangar featured a 387-foot circumference.
Viewers saw Martin set the overall speed record on his own custom-built motorcycle, but to prepare for the live attempt, he used an Indian Scout supplied by Krazy Horse, an Indian Motorcycle dealership in Bury St Edmunds, UK. Riding the Indian Scout, Martin hit 60.1 mph – an instant Guinness World Record – on his first attempt and reached a confirmed 70.33 mph on his second attempt. Then he switched to his own custom-built BSA R3 powered by aviation fuel. The result: 78.15 mph, the speed logged for the official Guinness World Record.
The Indian Scout Martin rode was a standard machine lightly prepared by Krazy Horse to be “Wall ready”. Add-ons included Renthal handlebars, lay-back risers, modified lower frame struts to accommodate foot-plates, 18″ wheels, a shortened rear fender and a special paint job.
Visit Channel4.com to watch a video of the record-setting event.
