Wall of Death – Theatre of Motorcycling

The “Wall of Death” without doubt is one of the most amazing and thrilling attractions in the world of motorsports. With his photo book “Wall of Death - Theatre of Motorcycling”, photographer Olaf Tamm pays tribute to these reckless motorbike-riders who perform their acrobatic art since almost a century. The drivers speed through vertical walls of a gigantic wooden drum, showing their repertoire of insane stunts – without any safety features – on souped-up, museum-worthy Indian Scout motorbikes dating from the 1920s. Until now those archaic performances can be found on fairgrounds and bike shows all around Europe and in the USA. The air vibrates from the roaring engines and the scent of oil and gasoline hangs in the wooden barrel that trembles and creaks with the beat of the engine’s staccato. On the outside parade the spieler, in a masterly fashion, praises the drivers with their extraordinary skills:

“So come closer, a new start, a new show…”

Cover

History

Theatres

Actors

Motodrom Crew & Indian

Acrobatics

Blind Riding

Indian Motorcycle

Applause

Motodrom DVD