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Top Billing meets Travis Pastrana, fearless leader of The Nitro Circus
Photo Credit: Mik Motala Photography
Top Billing meets Travis Pastrana, fearless leader of The Nitro Circus
Drivers and riders performing outrageous stunts, with impossible skill. This was what Travis Pastrana and his co-founders saw when they established the Nitro Circus in 2003. A hit television show followed. By 2010 their success gave rise to a live tour - which is what we were here to see.
The man of the hour arrived for his interviews in the same fearless spirit which saw him start riding motorbikes at the age of four. From racing he moved to freestyle and won every gold medal competition could offer.
Doing this on a BMX is one thing. Travis was the first to land a double backflip - on a motorcycle.
Photo Credit: Mik Motala Photography
It is hard to challenge a band of daredevils who voluntarily ride tricycles off ramps, even furniture on wheels. But Cape Town did manage to find wheels the guys had yet to race.
When they say ‘leave it to the professionals’, they mean this crew. They can do it because they know speed, angles, machines, weight and distance as well, if not better than most motor-racing champions. Their antics have sold over three million tickets, their programmes and documentaries air in sixty countries and they boast twenty million social media fans.
Photo Credit: Mik Motala Photography
If they aren’t pushing the envelope they feel like they’re going backwards. Which is why, last year, Travis launched the Nitro World Games, completely rebooting action sports competitions. Judging by the reception they get here, South Africa would be an ideal place to host the next games.
