They control the throttle and brakes remotely, say, 10 feet behind the cycle while standing on a skateboard. They steer with the tow ropes, pulling the right rope to turn the handlebars right, left rope for left.

Going straight would be challenging enough but taking a corner on one of these death rigs would take an insane amount of skill, but you'd never be good enough to make this safe. Even if you've figured out how to control this ungainly rig at 100 mph plus, the guy next to you could take you out in a second.

The way you'd get started is just riding the motorcycle normally until you get to the starting line. Then all the racers would jump off while the cycles continued on "ghost ride" style until they could be controlled by the trailing riders (now skateboarders) once their control / tow ropes got taut.

Could do roller-blades as well I suppose, but the skateboard would be a lot better dangertainment.
-- doctorremulac3, Aug 19 2020

Chariots of Water Chariots_20Of_20Water
[theircompetitor, Aug 19 2020]

This will inevitably result in serious injury and death for competitors, possible conflagrations from spilled fuel, and a significant risk of injury to spectators.

So it's difficult to see how the idea can be improved, other than having riders on the motorcycles.

[+]
-- 8th of 7, Aug 19 2020


Hmm... if you use TWO motorbikes, it would eventually evolve into... PODRACING!
-- neutrinos_shadow, Aug 19 2020


Fine, as long as the maiming, the blood and the screams of agony are still the focus of the event.
-- 8th of 7, Aug 19 2020


You know, I think somebody could make a living doing this as a pre show event at car races. I'd want to see it.
-- doctorremulac3, Aug 20 2020


// make a living //

... or maybe a large enough death benefit payment to pay for a nice funeral, a decent coffin, and a plot in a good location.
-- 8th of 7, Aug 20 2020



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