Bike Week has been
a tradition since January 24, 1937 - the inaugural running of the
Daytona 200.The first race took place on a 3.2 mile
beach and road course, located south of Daytona Beach. Ed Kretz of
Monterey Park, CA was its first winner, riding an American made Indian
motorcycle and averaging 73.34 mph.
The 1937, race course ran approximately
one and a half miles north on the beach; through a 1/4 mile turn where
the sand was banked, and then onto the paved, public roadway portion for
the trip south. Coming back on the final turn, another high sand bank
awaited riders as they raced on the hard sands of the beach.
Interestingly enough, starting times for these events were dictated by
the local tide tables. The races continued from 1937 to 1941.
In 1942, the Daytona 200 was
discontinued because of World War II. Its sanctioning body , the
American Motorcycling Association (AMA) solemnly noted it was “in the
interests of national defense” that the event was canceled. With the
war, came a general rationing of fuel, tires and key engine components.
Even though the racing event was “officially” called off, people
still showed up for an “unofficial” party called Bike Week.
In 1948, a new beach
/ road course was
used because of developments along the beach. Organizers were forced to
move the event further south, towards Ponce Inlet. The new circuit
measured 4.1 miles. The last Daytona 200 to be held on the beach / road
course took place in 1960. In 1961, the famous race was moved to the
Daytona International Speedway.
Today Bike Week has transformed into a
10-day festival that expands throughout Volusia County. |
