‘Tunnel of Fire’ bike runs at the Rock
The Rock Raceway in Brakpan has become involved in a unique Guinness World Record attempt, in September, this year.
The occasion will be an attempt to improve on the current Guinness World Record for riding a motorcycle through a fire tunnel, and will take place at the 2014 Rhino Rally, in the Free State town of Parys.
The current record of 103m stands behind the names of Enrico Schoeman and Andre de Kock, and was set on an Australian motorcycle and sidecar.
On Friday, September 5, they will attempt a distance of 120m in Parys, riding through a fire tunnel constructed of steel square tubing, wire and cardboard.
Last week, the fire tunnel bike was tested at The Rock Raceway.
“The engine was badly damaged during the previous record run, when it sucked in burning cardboard, diesel and other debris,” said Schoeman.
“After having it fixed, we needed to run it in and test it.
“That posed a problem, since one cannot ride an Australian sidecar on either a public road or a road circuit — it is designed to turn right all the time.
“The solution was a 400m oval, and we asked Tim Stephen of The Rock for permission to run the motorcycle at his establishment.
“He was most accommodating, and we ran the bike with success.”
The Rock Raceway is the only establishment of its kind on the East Rand and offers spectators a mix of tar oval racing, drifting and drag racing.
