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December 2023- Wheel of Death
Carnivale on the Green: A Railcar Based Traveling Carnival Railcar # 30
The WHEEL OF DEATH was a very short lived motorcycle exhibition structure early in the rapidly evolving world of stunt performing venues. When the newly invented internal combustion engine was added to the bicycle the carnival world took note. Seeing the public’s fascination with this daring new act, promoters could smell the money to be made.
Motorcycles quickly overpowered the existing wood planked bicycle tracks and racers were forced to move on to an open loop venue (like a kid’s Hot Wheels track). Unfortunately, it required a large operating area for the approach and exit runs. Containing the crowds for ticket sales was difficult at best since they could see the show from a distance for free. The WHEEL OF DEATH was designed as its replacement, but was quickly proven to be too dangerous.
The MOTORDROME, also referred to as the WALL OF DEATH eventually became the standard venue for the exhibition performances. It offered a reasonably sized foot print and could be a permanent amusement park structure, or a portable unit for traveling with the carnivals. The crowds couldn’t see the show going on inside the silo, but they could watch the demos performed on the ballyhoo and hear the roar of the motorcycles inside along with the cheers and gasps of those on the observation platform. A “must see” ticket purchase!
I built the MOTORDROME model a few years ago as an entry for the California State Fair (an actual one appeared at the State Fair in the 40’s) and it is now offered out for display at motorcycle dealerships and various events. It was scratchbuilt using construction methods that pre-date laser cutting and 3D printers. This meant cutting strip wood, making and casting resin molds and shaping/soldering brass rods, all by hand. Years later I built the WHEEL OF DEATH for CARNIVALE to fit on a rail car and this time used both the laser and 3D printer machines.
** Editor’s note: Jim doesn’t want to brag, so I will do it for him. He won THREE ribbons for his Motordrome model: 1st Place, Best in Division and Judges’ Choice.