In September 1963 at the international state fair in Thessalonica, the second largest city in Greece, our captain Elias was practicing on power lines as he studied to be an electrcian at a technical school. That’s where we heard of a drome owned by Italian chief Mario Bettoschi who was looking for a Greek rider for their tour in Greece.

 

At that time, Elias’ only experience with the wall of death was as a spectator, but once he saw it in action he made sure that he got a chance to ride on the walls. He went to the Italian chief Mario to try for a job. Elias was a good motorcycle rider (that doesn’t mean much in a drome, of course) and He told the chief that he had six months riding experience in a Greek drome.

When the drome was all set up and practice time came, The Italians started first. Chief Mario always started first, then Luigi, and after them the lady of the show Olivia. Finally it was time for the Greek. While the other riders were practicing Elias was trying to collect his thoughts. Mario shouted “Hey Greco bouona fortuna” (good luck) and pointed at the bike which was an Italian made Motomorini. A lot of things went through Elias' mind: Is this a mistake? Should I walk out? Am I going to be embarrassed? His final thought was what to do with the clutch. He said let's do it and popped it into first gear. After a couple rounds in starters Elias slowed down and crashed into the ground.

Mario went to him to make sure that he was all right and asked him what happened? Elias said this drome is too big, and it’s been a while since the last time I’ve done this. Mario asked him if he wanted to try again. Elias without a second thought said yes, and they gave him another bike. The new bike was a two stroke Bennoto (Mario always carries a trailer with 10-12 bikes for backup).

Mario tapped him on the shoulder and told him this was a big drome and he needed speed to hold onto the walls. Elias realized his mistake and went for it again. Clutch, first gear, one, two, three and Elias went to the top in the red line and stayed there for 35 Years.

Mario, of course, realized right away that Elias had no experience, but he had faith in him. Mario trained Elias not only as a rider but also as a leader. Elias also worked and trained to become an acrobat operator because the drome is not our hobby, it is our job. Elias was raising three kids and was making a living out of his riding. He became a success by running a high prestige show for many years in several countries.
Elias worked with Mario for a few years and eventually began working with different dromes. In 1967 Elias built the first of four dromes (The Super Acroteam). He drove on the walls in many types of vehicles including motorcycles, sidecars, a passenger car (Fiat 127), and a Formula 3. It takes state of the art buildings, and a highly trained crew for the Super Acroteam to meet such high expectations.
The wall wasn’t high enough for us so Elias and his son Billy Diamantopoulos reached for the skies. They are both airplane pilots, and performed an aerobatic flying with the team’s airplane a Rally Commodore 80.