Changes To Daytona’s Infield Road Course Draw Mixed Reviews From AMA Riders

Changes To Daytona’s Infield Road Course Draw Mixed Reviews From AMA Riders

© 2005, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

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Copyright 2005, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

The revised and shortened infield road course at Daytona International Speedway drew mixed reviews from the AMA racers who tried the new layout on Monday, the first day of a three-day multi-team test.

“It’s still Daytona. They just put a band-aid on a problem,” said Michael Jordan Motorsports Suzuki’s Jason Pridmore. “It won’t be any fun for fans to watch out there. It’s first gear on our bike (GSX-R1000), and I hear it’s even first gear on some of the 600s. They cured some problems with run-off area, but it’s mediocre at best.

“I’m always amazed how they can repave a track and still have bumps. There are huge bumps going onto the back straightaway.”

“It’s a little too tight for my liking,” said Michael Jordan Motorsports Suzuki’s Steve Rapp. “On the other hand, if it makes the tire situation safer, it’s good.”

“It doesn’t feel like Daytona,” said Yamaha/Graves Yamaha’s Jason DiSalvo. “It just feels weird. You don’t have ‘The Kink’ or the west horseshoe. Those were classic Daytona corners.”

“It’s OK,” said Kawasaki’s Roger Lee Hayden. “Some corners are fun. Some aren’t so good. It’s all a bit slick. Other than that, it’s another racetrack that I need to learn to get around better than everyone else.”

“It’s still one of those tracks that you show up, put up with it and leave, but it’s getting better,” said 2004 AMA Superstock Champion Aaron Gobert.

“It’s not so bad,” said Yoshimura Suzuki’s Aaron Yates. “I’m still just figuring out where to go on it. There are some lines I’d like to try, but it’s just too dirty right now and no one is going out there. The decreasing radius turns are tough, but it seems like there are some areas where you can make up some time if you’re willing to push it hard and if you’ve got a bike that flip-flops good.”

“I guess it’s an improvement from what we had to ride before,” said Attack Kawasaki’s Josh Hayes, “but it feels really narrow and there aren’t a lot of passing opportunities. It will change the way the race plays out. There will be a lot of ‘Follow the Leader,’ and you could lose a lot of time if you get caught behind a slower rider in the infield.”

Two riders, however, had much different opinions of the track due to their lack of experience with the venue.

“It’s pretty crazy. It’s a bit of a shock to the system,” said Parts Unlimited Ducati Austin’s Neil Hodgson. “I raced here 10 years ago, and I can’t remember it at all, it’s so different. I know they changed the track, but running around on the banking seems so fast, so bumpy, so out of control!

“I raced a Superbike, but I was only 21 and it was a privateer Ducati, an old 888, which probably had about 150 brake horsepower. Now we’re up to about 192 (horsepower). And the track must be bumpier because it hasn’t been paved in all that time. The bumps are horrendous.

“I watched the race on TV, and the banking looked easy. But it’s not! I wish everybody could experience what it feels like. A roller coaster ride is the best way to describe it, except one that is really scary.”

“Oh my gosh!” said Attack Kawasaki’s Ben Attard after riding his Formula Xtreme ZX-6RR around Daytona for the very first time. “It is the most scary thing I’ve ever done. I’d rather go meet a girl’s parents for the first time than do this.”

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