AHRMA supports Daytona Racing Legends
(February 11, 2021, Elora, Tennessee) The American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) is adding its support to a legendary racing venue.
On March 10, 2021, AHRMA is unveiling its own plaque for the Daytona 200 Monument during a special gathering in Daytona Beach, Florida.
“The Daytona 200 Monument and AHRMA is a perfect fit,” said Arthur Kowitz, 2021 Chair of the AHRMA Board of Trustees. “We’re keeping the history and memories this monument honors alive by keeping the kinds of bikes that have raced at this event over the years on the race track.”
On January 24, 1937 the first Daytona 200 was held on a 4.2-mile course that included both paved and off-road sections of Daytona Beach. The majority of the motorcycles and riders attending the event during the early years were those participating in the competition. Eventually, spectators began arriving on their own motorcycles and as the popularity and attendance grew, the race took on a festival atmosphere. The event would eventually evolve into the internationally known Daytona Bike Week. The Daytona 200 Motorcycle Race, under normal circumstances, draws more than one half million spectators.
A number of years ago, Dick Klamfoth, three-time winner of the Daytona 200 Motorcycle race, attended a Bike Week and met with Bike Week fans on Main Street in Daytona during bike week. He was surprised to learn how few of them knew the history of the 200, and shared his memories of racing on the beach and explained the origins of Bike Week to those who were unaware of its racing heritage. That experience inspired him to create the Daytona 200 Monument to preserve its history.
Thanks to generous donations from the members of the Daytona Beach and racing communities, a location for the monument was secured, construction completed and the monument was dedicated in 2002. The annual Daytona 200 Monument Gathering draws motorcycle and racing enthusiasts from around the world to witness the installation of new plaques.
The monument is located at 100 N. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach, FL on the beachside of the Daytona Beach Hilton-Ocean Walk Village. The event will be held on March 10, starting around 10:30am.
AHRMA (American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving, restoring and competing on historic motorcycles. With more than 3,000 members, AHRMA is the leading historic motorcycle racing group in North America and one of the largest in the world. The association’s enthusiastic membership reflects this country’s strong interest in classic bikes.
