Hands-free thrills at Tipp vintage show

Punters at Tipperary Racecourse were left awestruck when a rider by a different steed revved up some winning thrills.

The original and legendary Ken Fox and his Wall of Death troupe rode up on bikes to perform spectacular skills, riding barely 15cm from the audience and whizzing around the 360- degree wall, which stands 6m tall.

The noise, the speed, the smell, and the proximity of the bikes ridden to the top of the circular wall made it a mesmeric experience.

The rip-roaring Wall of Death show made its first appearance in Munster at the Tipperary Vintage Show, which involved all means of old-style travel including cars, bikes, trains, and trikes.

“It was the Wall of Death’s maiden voyage to Munster, Ireland,” said Jack Leonard, a co-organiser of the vintage show. It’s the official Wall of Death from the UK. We’ve been trying to get it here for the past five years.

“Ken is the true original. He was the adviser to the actors and film crew on the movie Eat the Peach.”

The Wall of Death has a special place in Irish hearts after it was the backdrop in the cult 1986 film Eat the Peach, which starred Eamon Morrisey, Niall Tóibín, Joe Lynch, and Tony Doyle.

Using their 1920 Indian Scout motorbikes, the Ken Fox troupe warmed up the audience with straight wall riding, before dipping and diving and whizzing around, handlebar-free.

The brave riders ended with a breathtaking display of balance and skill, with three of the troupe taking part in the Hell Riders Race.

“The noise here is unreal. We’ve been relishing this and it’s fantastic,” said Mr Leonard.

All monies raised from entry to the vintage show goes towards the South Tipperary Hospice.

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