There are a separate group of bikers that attend Daytona Bike Week that many people don’t think about - the racers that compete at small speedways throughout the area, and Daytona USA Speedway. The bikers that come to compete spend their days under tents, repairing minor (or major) damages that the courses that they compete on have inflicted on their bikes, and then spend their evenings repairing their own bruises.

We had the opportunity to spend a day in the pits at Volusia Speedway Park watching some of the frustrations and joys that come with racing. These guys have the dedication that would rival any biker that makes the week-long trek from the Western US to come to Daytona. A normal day racing involves waiting hours for your heat to compete in qualifying, then for your race time to arrive to compete, and if you are un a poor track, (or have unfortunate riders in your heat) you could be forced to restart multiple times! It quite a long and tiring day for the ten minutes of excitement that the riders have while racing. And then they get up and do it all again the next day at a different track.

When riders make it to the big time, they get to compete at Daytona USA, where the spirit of racing was born. In case you aren’t familiar with racing and it’s roots, Daytona USA provides a great glimpse of history on how it all got started and because the multibillion dollar sport that it is today.

Outside of the walls of the Speedway, there are more vendors set up around the parking lot and perimeter. This is an area where you can get a chance to go on demo rides of new bikes, or meet dealers that may not be around your hometown.

The other great thing that is around the Speedway is Stake ‘n Shake. We don’t have the luxury of getting Stake ‘n Shake food here in Pennsylvania, but Pudge & I sure stocked up on it while in Daytona - we ate there a total of four time in five days.

Daytona is an overall blast - there isn’t anything better. The bikers are relaxed and chillin’, the locals love having us, and there is always something to do. 2006 Bike Week marks the 65th year, and there are sure to be some extra exciting events on such a momentous year - we would hope to see you there March 3-12, 2006. Keep informed with everything that is happening at www.officialbikeweek.com.