Bernd's and Rick's Daytona Adventures

Well, this was my first trip to Daytona for AHRMA races and I had a great time! The Digital Camera was always buzzing and as you can see I got some great shots of Vintage bikes. Saturday Feb.27 we went to Willi’s Motorcycle Museum on South Street in Daytona Beach (down the street from PCS). This place is worth the trip alone. It is full of rare vintage European, Japanese and some American motorcycles. Most are race bike and all are in excellent condition and quite rare. The AHRMA technical inspection was on Sunday morning at the AMI in Daytona Beach. This was the place to see and be seen at. All racers had to come here and it was quite a sight of man and machine. From the smallest 125GP bikes to the fire breathing BOTT Unlimited class bike it was all there. Bikes like the Condor 125 GP and the Britten or Norton Rotary two-stroke. Most red and best sounding were the three MV Augusta racers from Germany brought by Team Made In Europe. After the inspection we had to do some fairing mount repair and brake-bleeding work on the Ducati F1 racer. Then a torrential downpour hit us. Monday morning saw us getting up early to be at the track at 6:00AM for a good spot in the pits at the Speedway. Our efforts paid of and Fritz Augustin (USCRA#88) came in 4th place in the BOTT F2 class.

Unfortunately my trip ended there, as I had to fly home to NY Monday night. I know I will take more time next year and bring a bike to race.

Bernd Bressel
USCRA#269
AHRMA#269

Thanks for the mention about Daytona. That Suzuki I rode in F-3 Twins is the new '99 SV 650. A really nice little bike! I led that race from the
start until lap 6, when a freight train of three bikes drafted by me on the banking. On the last lap coming out of the chicane, I was within inches and
hoped to return the favor, but my gearing was one tooth too short, and the extra speed from the draft caused me to just hit the rev limiter. That's
racing! I'll be ready for 'em next year.

I talked to Greg after the Premier 500 race, and I guess his tach fell off and was in the clutch linkage. While trying to hold onto that, he noticed the
bolt coming out of the brake lever, and the lever went back to the bar. So while screwing the bolt back in, and holding the tach, he managed a 6th on a 350. Only Nichols could pull that off.

Another friend of USCRA who races with us at Schuby, Mosport, Summit, etc., is Jessie Morris, who had an awesome race in 500 Sportsman on his Triumph to come from behind, picking off riders one by one, and making the drafting pass at the flag to take third. That's a tough class, he did really well, that bike is working just right!

Rick Patrolia

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