RACETRACK REVIEWS
A Lap of Daytona International Speedway
Author: Jon Hatcher
Tuck in, pin it and hang on for dear life!
 So, do you want to go as fast as your bike will take you? There are a lot of racetracks and other locations where you can top out your motorcycle but the one that really stands out from all the rest is Daytona International Speedway. Home of American motorcycling’s most famous race, the Daytona 200, Daytona International Speedway has a rich history and a reputation for speed. It also contains one of the most exciting features of America’s roadracing circuits – the famous high banks.
The road course featured in this article is considered the traditional layout and is the same course that was used for the Daytona 200 this March. This configuration uses both of the outer banks, the tri-oval, the rear chicane and a portion of the infield. Like most coastal tracks, the pavement is comprised of a crushed-seashell aggregate that is very grippy but rough on tires. The track is also very rough on machines, as being at full throttle for such an extended period of time can quickly stress a motor. The paint on helmets and bodywork takes some abuse from bugs and small debris kicked up by other bikes and it is definitely a good idea to install a radiator guard on your motorcycle when you run here. Coming down the straight between the east banking and the Tri-Oval, topping out the motorcycle, and then putting the bike into Turn One is a religious experience. Turn One is a hard, trail-braking-from-top-speed, decreasing radius, blind exit left-hander. Yeah, it is a pretty intense corner. Draft passing and overtaking on the brakes is pretty dramatic in this spot and it is very exciting not only to try it yourself but also to watch the Pros from the edge of the track. An Armco barrier blocks your view to the exit, so it takes a few laps to learn when to turn the gas on to start the drive out. After throttling out of Turn One, there is a quick right-left ‘S’ curve with an Armco barrier on the left hand side. This brings you into the International Horseshoe, which is a tight hairpin right hand corner. The entire infield is pretty flat and it is very easy to turn your head all the way to the right to spot your exit marker. Applying generous throttle out of the Horseshoe and toeing the shifter up a click brings you into a short left hand kink that shoots you onto the West Horseshoe.
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