KENNEDY STYLE
by: Denise Kennedy, TRO
2020 DAYTONA BIKE WEEK Looking at the calendar I am reminded that Daytona Bike Week is right around the corner. In addition to all the standard activities that are Bike Week I would again like to suggest a trip to the venues that are specific to racing motorcycles. The history of racing in the motorcycle community dates back to the early 1900’s. Early 20th century board-track racing of the 1910s and 1920s competition was conducted on oval or circular racetracks. Surfaces were composed of wooden planks and featured American V-twin motorcycles. For a glimpse into what was board-tracking racing consider taking in Billy Lane’s Sons of Speed. Held the first Saturday, March 7 of the rally at 5:00 p.m. at New Smyrna Beach Speedway just down the road from Cabbage Patch. Action should be fast paced at this half-mile, banked New Smyrna Speedway. Over the years, I have heard many riders surprised that motorcycle racing on the beach came long before there was an official rally. The first Daytona 200 was held in January 1937 on the 3.2-mile beach course. The rally came about in 1947 as promoters asked residents to open their homes to spectators that were now coming in throngs to see the beach race. Although the last race on the beach course was in 1960, at the urging of Bill France it moved to Daytona International Speedway the following year and it has been going strong ever since. The popularity of Motocross surged in the late 1960’s in the United States. Bill France added a professional motocross race to the 1971 Daytona Beach Bike Week schedule. This race will be held Saturday, March 7 in the area that is known as the tri-oval on Daytona International Speedway. Transforming this area into a firstclass motocross course is a huge undertaking and takes the better part of two weeks to be completed. For those interested in American Flat Track Racing, the 2020 Daytona Bike Week has got that covered as well. The Daytona TT/American Flat Track race will be part of a double header in conjunction with the Daytona 200 on Saturday, March 14, 2020. There is a something for everyone it what looks to be a jam-packed week.
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