In 1906, the area was nicknamed "The "Birthplace of Speed" when the World Land Speed Record was set by the Stanly Steamer on Ormand Beach. The warm winter days and the hard packed sand on Daytona and Ormand beach made the area perfect for both automobile and motorcycle racing.
The first running of the Daytona 200 or the "Handlebar Derrby occured on January 24, 1937, following the first stock car race on the beach the year before. The Daytona 200 has become the single most important motorcycle race in America. Daytona has attracting bikers every year since that first race.
Bikeweek attracts about a half a million people to the annual ten day long event. This year the Bikeweek starts on February 29th and runs to March 9th. In addition the to the running of the Daytona 200 the event features concerts, parties, and street festivals.
In 2006, the local Harley dealer created a new Bikeweek venue just off I-95 in Ormand Beach. The 150 acre complex "Destination Daytona" features the largest Harley dealership in the world and an outdoor exhibit area for after-market vendors and concert staging.
The Daytona International Speedway hosts the The Daytona 500 and several other NASCAR events in addition to the Daytona 200.
Official Daytona Bike Week Website
Daytona Beach Chamber of Commerce site with information on events calendar, accomodations and business directory.
