Daytona 200 Monument taking shape
If you took a stroll down the Daytona Beach boardwalk, the once ever popular bike week attraction, you may have noticed this huge block of etched and polished granite. The north side of the monument stone tells of the days over 70 years ago and 9 miles south when the first Daytona 200 motorcycle race was held on the hardened sands of Ormond Beach. In 1937 the running of the first Daytona 200 took place on a 4.2 mile beach and road track and was the start of bike week. Three time race winner Dick Klamfoth wanted to preserve the memory of the original motorcycle race and rider and so the idea of the Daytona 200 monument began. Today, the Daytona 200 has moved to the International Speedway and bike week attracts over a half million visitors during the first week in March of each year.
The south side of the monument has the names and faces of the first 12 men that won race on the sand and road course before the yearly event was moved to the track in 1961. Back when the race first began, most of the bike week attendees were the ones running the race that now attracts motorcycles and visitors in the hundred of thousands. Dick began the plans and development of the monument over six years ago and presented it to the city of Daytona Beach. The monument is still under development and you can get involved! Engraved granite plaques and paver bricks are available for purchase at the official monument site. Visit the Daytona 200 monument site here to learn more and get involved.
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