Snake Eyes- Daytona
By David Vuiilemin
In 2000, when I started my first season in 250cc (Yes, 450cc weren't many back then…) in the US, I pretty much knew what to expect in terms of SX tracks and race schedule. I've raced in 125cc in 96, 97 and 98 as well as in the 250cc for several races in 1999. I had all the videos of all the 99 races that I was watching pretty much every night to put myself in this US SX world as a full time 250 rider. One race, I really didn't think what to expect was Daytona…
I was a Factory Yamaha rider and the team schedule a full week of testing in Florida. We are based in DeLand, FL. We rode a few days at this farm we called " Hughes' " in New Smyrna beach. The track was pretty fun. I felt I was in Belgium riding in Olmen at Hondaland. Big sand sections in the woods with some SX obstacles in the front glade. The team semi was there with my mechanic, Monty at the time, the engine guy, Bob Oliver, the suspension guy, Jon Rosenthiel, team supervisor, Steve Butler and our manager Keith McCarty. Jeremy McGrath was testing too since he had a factory bike in the Chaparral team. Add all the Chaparral crew, there was a lot of people for 2 guys testing. I realized that Daytona was going to be very different from what I was used to by the amount of man power dedicated to the testing.
Click HERE to continue reading.
