Daytona was one of my favorite places to go. It was just as winter was going away in Michigan and a great way to kick off the riding season. There is so much happening and so much to see and do that week.
Visually Daytona isn't the best place to watch a race. It's not even close to Laguna Seca in terms of the visual effect of speed. But you don't go to Daytona just to see the 200. There is the Supercross and the other races as well as just wandering the pits to check out the factory bikes as well as all of the privateer riders. There is also a lot to do around town during Speedweeks.
I have several hundred photos I have scanned and compiled from the Daytona 200. A huge number of shots in the pits and of the factory bikes as well as a lot of shots during pit stops.
I also shot a pretty good set of Scott Russells career ending crash. Although they are after he was seperated from his bike.
There are eleven sets in the series and links are provided on the right hand side bar to access them. The photos are in no particular order.
I have to credit and say a big thank you to my brother Mark and his wife Lois for getting me down there and taking care of me. Mark masterminded many of the trips. I also have to thank Darren Cooper and Pirelli/Metzeler for helping me out a few times as well.
One thing was for sure. My brother and I were in our element during bike week. We both love racing, Supercross, Roadracing and Flat Track. We also enjoyed checking out the bikes, the parts and hanging out as we really don't see each other much.
So in 1996 I worked for Pirelli/Metzeler tire at Daytona and if you recall that was the year at where it rained for a month and it was the nastest two weeks I have ever spent at Daytona.
I did enjoy hanging out with the Salvo one of the Pirelli test riders from Italy. The guy was nothing short of brillant in his knowledge of suspension and tires. He helped ever single privateer that asked him to. Great guy!
Did you know that this was the beginning of Ben Bostroms uphill climb and that Scott Russell rode a factory Suzuki (he was contracted to do Grand Prix in 1996) and that Miquels win over Scott was by a mear 0.010 of a second. It was close!
Pirelli's hope for a win rested on three European riders. Yves Briguet and Christain Zwedorn and Thervold Saeby.
The weather for the race was horrible, rain all morning and standing water all over the track. For Pirelli this was a godsend moment as they had brought a handful of semi street/trials tires along for some reason or another (I don't recall the model number).
These tires shed water like crazy and the only guys using them were Pirelli riders. The Dunlop and Michelin teams did not have a chance. Yves simply took off and left everyone including Miquel. All the while a lot of pissing and moaning was going on from those not on Pirellis!
I must admit that the track was a disaster. The race was stopped twice by crashes and sadly moved to another day. For Yves and Pirelli it was a sad day as they had come prepared and gave up the win because the other teams did not.
The race was finally run on Wenesday and Yves finished forth. Of course Miquel, Honda and Dunlop won the race by a mile. But I'm sure you could have guessed that.
My brother and I were sitting in turn three in 1995. This was the year Carl Fogarty showed up and made it clear that he would win the race. Scott crashed right in front of John Elrich, my brother Mark and I and we watched in amazement as he picked the Muzzy Kawasaki up, and left dead last.
From there he would put on one of the best rides I've seen at Daytona and eventually won the race. I think that day Scott knew that Daytona was his playground!
Was also there the year Doug Polen signed with Honda and you'll see photos of Doug who found the RC45 not to his liking. He eventually quit the team.
I also was there the year that Scott Russell had his career ending accident. We we sitting right above the end of the chaos and there is a reel of photos of outcome.
Also was around the year Russell struggle mightly with the Harley. In the end a bar brawl ended Russell's chance to win (sic) on the bike few matstered (besides Minquel). I really did not see a whole lot in the Ducati either. The Yamaha suited Scott to a T and I can't figure out why Yamaha let him go. Well besides the fact that he wasn't doing anything other than being Mr. Daytona at that point in his career.
Of all of the riders to race and win at Daytona right up to the present I have to say that Scott Russell is the KING of Daytona. The reality is that he could have won seven and possibly eight of the races had a few things (Lawson, Duhamel, the Harely debacle and bar fight, and his career ending crash) not stopped him.
Although Miquel is good and I have a huge respect for his riding ability and what he has done throughout his career. I mean Miquel always comes to win. He is a guy who is really strong at Daytona but I have to rate him a close second to Scott.
Seeing Nicky Hayden win was another highlight. I am a huge Nickey fan and I think the guy has proven thathe is one of the best riders in the world.
I hope you enjoy a look back at Daytona through my camera.
