Wall of Death

The Wall of Death in its various forms has been around since the 1920’s attracting huge audiences prior to its decline along with fairgrounds in general. By the 1980’s you would have needed to go into Europe to find one in operation until a resurgence of interest in running them took place in the UK.

One man was part of that Renaissance -Allan Ford, a past rider of the ‘Wall’ who helped resurrect not only the walls themselves, but general interest in them. Now he has written a book along with Nick Corble where the whole history of this fascinating branch of motorcycling is chronicled.

Published by Tempus Publishing this excellent work is well illustrated with period shots both in colour and black and white and charts the subject from its bicycle beginnings right up to the present day.

It manages to convey why the ‘wall’ has always attracted audiences that still keep coming back to watch riders at 90 degrees to the wooden sides that sway and shake as the bikes cross the individual timbers that make up the cylindrical track. It also mentions the variants such as the Globe of Death and the Cycle Whirl and is as much a history of entertainment as much as it is about motorcycling.

If you have ever stood at the top and had the riders pass inches below you apparently defying the laws of physics and wondered why and how then this is a must read book for you at a modest £14.99. Tempus Publishing Ltd (www.tempus-publishing.com) ISBN 0 7524 3971 7

Review by Ian Kerr