Daytona Beach Bike Week Features Full Slate Of Two-Wheeled Fun
On Jan. 24, 1937, the first running of the Daytona 200 took place
on the hard sand of Daytona Beach, Fla. Since that race, won by AMA
Motorcycle Hall of Famer Ed Kretz of Monterey Park, Calif., the
annual event has grown into a motorcycling mecca, packed full of
racing and recreational riding events.
This year, AMA-sanctioned events will be among the most popular
Bike Week attractions, from amateur dirt-track racing to an AMA
Motorcycle Hall of Fame celebration to AMA Supercross on the
infield of Daytona International Speedway.
"Daytona Beach in early March is all things motorcycling," said AMA
Vice President of Operations Jeff Massey. "If it happens on
motorcycles, it happens at Daytona Beach. I personally can't wait
for the unofficial start of riding season to kick off at what many
consider the biggest motorcycling week of the year."
Motorcycling's history will take center stage on March 15 at the
Yamaha AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Breakfast at Daytona, presented
by Motul. The annual fundraising event for the AMA Motorcycle Hall
of Fame, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, will be held at the Daytona 200
Club on the infield of Daytona International Speedway. This year,
it will shine a spotlight on the Hall of Fame career of Scott
Russell. Russell, who will be interviewed by noted race announcer
Ben Cheatwood, will discuss his amazing five Daytona 200 wins as
well as his championship-winning AMA and World Superbike career.
Buy tickets and learn more at www.motorcyclemuseum.org.
One of the biggest rounds of the AMA Supercross Championship goes
down March 9 at the Daytona Supercross by Honda, the 10th round of
the series. Located on the infield of the hallowed grounds of
Daytona International Speedway, the course features a varied layout
with extended high-speed sections, massive jumps and a sand/dirt
mix. Fans will be packed several deep along the fences to watch
Ryan
Villopoto, Ryan Dungey,
Davi
Millsaps, James
Stewart and more race for glory as the 2013 winner of the
Daytona Supercross by Honda. More info is at www.amasupercross.com.
Amateur competitors will get a shot at the Supercross course the
following two days, March 10-11, at the Ricky
Carmichael Daytona Amateur Supercross. Sanctioned by the AMA,
and in partnership with MX Sports, the fourth annual event features
two days of amateur racing at the same track that will showcase the
best AMA Supercross racers in the world. Sign up to race at
www.mxsports.com.
Off-road racers will get to experience their own history at the
Alligator Enduro on March 14 in Favoretta, Fla. The Alligator
Enduro has been thrilling both racers and fans for 63 years.
Although the race isn't always on the AMA National Enduro
Championship Series calendar, it always draws a large contingent of
pro riders -- as well as weekend warriors who want to line up at
the historic event. Find out more at www.daytonadirtriders.com.
Amateur dirt track kicks off just north of Daytona Beach in
Savannah, Ga., which features an AMA All-Star dirt track on
Oglethorpe Speedway's half-mile on March 8 and an AMA Holeshot
event and vintage national classes on March 9. On March 10-12,
racing moves to Barberville, Fla., while March 10 will also feature
an amateur short-track event on the Daytona Flat Track. The March
11-12 events will feature both AMA Holeshot points and racing in
AMA vintage national classes. To contact the AMA about these
events, see www.americanmotorcyclist.com/racing
or call (614) 856-1900.
Amateur roadracing will also roll through Savannah, Ga., on March
9-10. The first round of the American Sportbike Racing
Association's AMA Featured Series will take place at Roebling Road
Raceway. The ASRA Championship Series (www.asraracing.com) includes both
amateur and expert competition in Thunderbike, SportBike and
SuperStock classes.
Of course, Bike Week is not just about racing. Road riders make up
the largest contingent at the annual rally. One place they'll
certainly congregate is at the Alligator Road Tour on March 13.
This AMA-sanctioned ride is put on by the Daytona 200 M/C. The
club, founded in 1943, is one of the oldest and most active in the
state, and the ride features 150-200 miles of beautiful country
roads, as well as a mystery destination for lunch. Registration is
from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Daytona 200 Motorcycle Club. More
info is available at www.daytona200mc.com.
For a dirtier time on two wheels, there's the Cross-Florida
Adventure Ride. This ride is part of the AMA Husqvarna National
Dual Sport Series and the AMA Yamaha Super Ténéré Adventure Riding
Series. The March 16-17 ride features some of the best back roads
and optional trail sections crossing the peninsula. Find out more
at www.dixiedualsport.com.
Another highlight for road riders is the Annual Iron Butt
Association Party in Jacksonville, Fla. The event, March 13-14,
also features the Battlefield 1000, an endurance road ride around
Georgia and Florida. See www.ironbutt.com/daytona/
for more info.
Finally, the ever-popular March 16 Community Appreciation Parade,
sponsored by the Daytona Beach Chamber of Commerce, will stage at
the south parking lot of the Ocean Center beginning at 7 a.m. The
parade is expected to feature hundreds of bikes as it rides from
the Ocean Center to Daytona International Speedway.
For more on the Community Appreciation Parade, as well as a
comprehensive list of all the two-wheeled excitement packed into
Daytona Beach Bike Week, check out the official Bike Week calendar
at www.daytonachamber.com.
About the American Motorcyclist Association
Since 1924, the AMA has protected the future of motorcycling and promoted the motorcycle lifestyle. AMA members come from all walks of life, and they navigate many different routes on their journey to the same destination: freedom on two wheels. As the world's largest motorcycling rights organization, the AMA advocates for motorcyclists' interests in the halls of local, state and federal government, the committees of international governing organizations, and the court of public opinion. Through member clubs, promoters and partners, the AMA sanctions more motorsports competition and motorcycle recreational events than any other organization in the world. AMA members receive money-saving discounts from dozens of well-known suppliers of motorcycle services, gear and apparel, bike rental, transport, hotel stays and more. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, the AMA honors the heroes and the heritage of motorcycling for future generations. For more information, please visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com.
