Men from South Africa beat flames for Guinness

Enrico Schoeman and Andre de Kock powered their modified Z1000 motorcycle and is sidecar through the 67.6m  tunnel of fire to douse the previous record of 60.96m set by American Clint Ewing in 2008.

Guinness record rules require the entire tunnel to be burning from the time of entry to the time of exit, so once the cardboard and steel structure (that had been soaked with petrol and diesel) was ignited by a pyrotechnics expert there was only a small window of opportunity for the pair to make it through.

Focusing on a white line drawn down the middle of the inferno to keep the motorcycle on course, Schoeman steered while motoring writer De Kock, seemingly, prayed until the pair were met with cheers from spectators when they emerged from the other end of the tunnel. A victory “doughnut” was spun in celebration.

Speaking after the event De Kock, still nursing an injury sustained while preparing for the event, said he could have “held on a little longer”.

Meanwhile, he and Schoeman await official ratification of their record attempt from Guinness.

The two stuntmen took to the Tarlton International Raceway outside Krugersdorp on Monday, March 21, to set the world record after Ekurhuleni Health and Safety officials deemed the event too dangerous to be held at any of the proposed public venues.

The scorching Guinness World Record attempt was launched in an effort to raise awareness about cancer.