Motorcycle Week

Motorcycle Week (Bike Week)

First week in March

Bike Week is the largest motorcycle meet in the world, held for 10 days in Daytona Beach, Fla. The event began in 1937, as an outgrowth of automobile races. These had been started years earlier on Daytona's Ormond Beach by Henry Ford, who had a mansion and was testing cars there. It was suspended for a few years during World War II, but the 50th anniversary was celebrated in 1991, with half a million people attending.
The highlight of the week is the Daytona 200 race, which attracts competitors from all over the world and is considered one of the most prestigious motorcycle road races in the world. Other race events include a three-hour U.S. Endurance Championship race and vintage motorcycle races on Classics Day. The events take place in the Daytona Beach Municipal Stadium, with a quarter-mile banked oval track, and on the Daytona International Speedway.
Motorcyclists come from around the world, and most bring their motorcycles with them. A popular feature of the week is a mammoth parade of over 5,000 motorcycles. Parade watchers include large contingents of elderly people, some of whom hold signs saying "Grandmothers Love Biking" and other slogans. Concerts and trade shows are held throughout the week.

CONTACTS:
Official Bike Week Headquarters
Daytona Beach Halifax Area Chamber of Commerce
126 E. Orange Ave.
Daytona Beach, FL 32114
386-225-0981; fax: 904-258-5104
www.daytonachamber.com

Celebration days:
2011: Mar 6 - Mar 12
2012: Mar 4 - Mar 10
2013: Mar 3 - Mar 9
2014: Mar 2 - Mar 8
2015: Mar 1 - Mar 7