Neither rain nor shine would stop Chris Batts from breaking a world record in tyre-flipping on 16 December.
Starting from the corner of Jim Fouché Road on Hendrik Potgieter Road, Batts flipped a bulldozer tyre weighing more than a whopping 150 kg all the way down to Rhinoceros Road for a whole mile [1.6 km]
He did it in only two hours and 26 minutes. The last record was set at two hours and 30 minutes. Results are still to be verified by the Records Centre in New York, USA, but Batts is confident he has won the title.
Batts did all this in his fight against crime, he explained while heaving the heavy tyre as the rain cascaded from his cap and the sweat dripped from his brow. “But I’m also doing this in aid of Cansa.”
“I’m from ‘Sport Against Crime’,” stated the hero. “I already hold 21 records in long distance tyre-flipping and I aim to raise awareness in the for our sport and the various causes we support.”
Sport Against Crime focusses on all kinds of alternative sports like ‘kettie’ paintball, wheelchair racing and no-paddle cycling, Batts elaborated. “It’s for people who do not want to do conventional sports.”
He feels that sport is an essential tool to help keep people off the streets. “Crime is not an option. Our slogan is: Doing something, however small, is better than doing nothing. All of us can make a difference against crime.”
Batts was escourted the entire way by ER24 Paramedics, his sponsors from Ford Action Motor Group Roodpeoort and Honeydew Police, who were more than happy to help and make it part of their ’16 Days of Activism against women and child abuse’ campaign.
“We want thank Chris from everyone at SAPD,” said Honeydew Police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Karen Jacobs. “This type of initiative and the awareness it creates – like all the people waving, hooting and giving us the thumbs-up as they drive past – just goes to show that if we all take a personal stance against crime, then we can also address the victimisation of women and children in our country too.”
Details: Chris Batts 072 026 7862; www.sportagainstcrime.co.za
