Daytona 200 2012 - # 9 Lives On!

18 year old Elena Myers a SuperSport race winner!

Daytona 2012 went a long way toward erasing memories of the great Daytona disaster of 2011 (major tire failure, lengthly delays, questionable rule enforcment). NASCAR wishes they could have a race week-end like this. Near perfect weather, virtually incident free racing, a comeback for the legendary Triumph marquee and a major race victory for a charming teen age girl.

THE 200: With sunny skies and the temperature in the 70s Joey Pascarella rode the Yamaha YZF-R6 to the winners circle just a split second ahead of runner up Jason Disalvo aboard a Triumph Daytona 675. The #9 Triumph was a tribute to recently deceased Triumph racer Gary Nixon. Nixon took the checkerer flag on a Triumph at Daytona in 1967.

#9 Disalvo honors Nixon

Elena Myers was shuffeled to back to 6th place in the highly competitive 1st Super Sport race on Friday. However, the fast California teen ager was not to be denied in race #2 to become the first woman to win a major motor sports race at Daytona.

Pat Moony has stellar privateer performance.

Another highlight was privater Pat Mooney's performance on the Buell 1125R. Pat qualified 41st, then used all the skill of the seasoned veteran to move up through the field to finish 27th.

Beach racer Billy "Ace" Myers fires '60 BSA Gold Star at the Monument

It all started with Ed Kretz and his Indian on the beach in 1937. In keeping with the tradition of the "beach racers" I began my Daytona 2012 on the beach. I had lunch courtsey of Dick Klamfoth at the Monument which recognizes the past winners. Dick won 3 times on the grueling beach/road course, earning him the title of "King of The Beach".

Check out my photos of

Daytona 2012 on Webshots: http://sports.webshots.com/album/582510236LmaBtO

Daytona Ride – The Florida Black Bear Scenic Byway

Don’t waste another Bike Week in the bars and taverns of Daytona’s Main Street. The true motorcyclist wants to get out and see the real Florida. The only way to do that is get on the bike and ride. There is a world class ride that begins just a stone’s throw from Daytona that will get you into the Florida that Ponce de Leon discovered some 500 years ago.

The Florida Black Bear Scenic Byway, a National Scenic Byway begins just North of Daytona at Ormond Beach and follows State Road 40 east to Silver Springs. The North/South portion begins at Umatilla and follows State Road 19 North to Palatka. There are a couple of loops and side routs within this main corridor.  In all about 140 miles of picturesque roads through the Ocala National Forest.

 World Class Ride, The Florida Black Bear Scenic Byway

From Daytona go North to Ormond Beach and head west on SR 40 to US 17, head north to Crescent City, then east on 308/309 to the Ft. Gates Ferry. The ferry operates daily except Tuesday ($5.00 motorcycle). It is a 10 minute boat ride across a pristine remote section of the St. Johns River into the Ocala National Forest. You’re following a route taken by travelers for over 150 years. The ferry consists of a small barge pushed by a small tug boat. It is the oldest continuously operated ferry in the state. Once you make the crossing we separate the men from the boys with 7 miles of dirt and gravel road on Forest Road 29/62 into Salt Springs on State Road 19. There you are on the main North/ South Corridor and you have your choice of scenic rides, lakes and springs, camping, canoeing, hunting, fishing. You can learn more about all the Florida Black Bear Scenic Byway has to offer through the following links:

Fort Gates Ferry, Crossing the St. Johns River,
The Old Time Way

Tom Rose’s article in October 2010 Rider Magazine: http://www.ridermagazine.com/travel-features/florida-black-bear-scenic-byway-motorcycle-ride.htm

Florida Black Bear Scenic Byway: ttp://floridablackbearscenicbyway.org/welcome/

Don’t leave Florida with nothing to show for it but an empty wallet and a hangover, take a REAL MOTORCYCLE RIDE through the REAL FLORIDA!