Multi-million Nitro Circus prepares for Gateshead

THE Nitro Circus’s cast of daredevils are heading for Gateshead International Stadium, in June, and will perform some of the most eye-catching choreographed riding routines ever in freestyle motocross (FMX), BMX and skate.

Highlights of the summer show include the explosive Nitro Bomb, featuring all riders flipping simultaneously, plus, during FMX trains, riders will slice through the air wheel-to-wheel, mere inches apart.

There is also the (in)famous 40-foot Giganta ramp, which will launch a host of ridiculous contraptions like trikes, a penny farthing, a lounge chair, a bathtub and more. More than 15 trucks and 50 crew members are required to transport and set up Nitro Circus, and claims to be one of the biggest, if not the most massive, entertainment production to visit the North-East.

Last year, with a $50 million investment from Raine Group, Michael Porra bought the rights to the Nitro Circus film and television series, bringing the live and media arms into one company. Following sell-out shows in Glasgow, London and Manchester, the circus boss has announced an 11-date UK stadium tour.

From humble beginnings in 2003 – with Jeremy Rawle, Gregg Godfrey and extreme sports superstar Travis Pastrana producing DVDs from a Utah garage – Nitro Cirucs became a top TV series, which has aired in more than 60 countries. In 2012, Nitro Circus: The Movie 3D, was released in cinemas worldwide.

Two million fans have seen the show in the US, Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, China, Japan, the Middle East and South Africa.

* Tickets for the Travis Pastrana’s Nitro Circus Live are on sale via nitrocircus.live

Viv Hardwick