Daytona 2011
From AMA Superbike, to Supercross, and even to freestyle, Yamaha is well represented at the 2011 Daytona Bike Week, with motorcycles and riders poised to compete and win in several disciplines.
On the high banks of the Daytona Speedway, in addition to defending Daytona 200 winner Josh Herrin, several other Yamaha riders are also ready to do battle against Josh in the 2011 Daytona 200.
Other SportBike riders include Tommy Aquino aboard a Yamaha Extended Service/ Pat Clark Sports/Graves Yamaha R6; Team LTD Yamaha Extended Service Racing’s Huntley Nash, who is also Yamaha R6-mounted; and Melissa Paris on her HT Moto-sponsored Yamaha R6.
Joining Melissa’s AMA SuperBike-title-winning-husband Josh Hayes in the two SuperBike races at Daytona is Chris Clark on his Yamaha Extended Service/ Pat Clark Sports/Graves Yamaha R1.
Speaking of titles, Josh Hayes, will begin his defense of the AMA American SuperBike Championship that he captured aboard his YZF-R1 last season.
Like the Daytona 200 itself, Yamaha is also looking to repeat its victories from last year’s two Daytona SuperSport races, where Yamaha R6’s dominated the field. Team LTD / Yamaha Extended Service Racing riders Tomas Puerta and David Gaviria will both be aboard the SuperSport Championship-winning Yamaha R6.
SuperBike Race 1 will take place on Friday, March 11 at 4:30 PM, and Race 2 is scheduled for Saturday, March 12 at 11:15 AM.
The XDL Championship will launch its 2011 season at Daytona on March 9-12 as two-time Sportbike Freestyle Champion and Yamaha rider Bill Dixon will also be going for a three-peat in defense of his crown.
Along with competing aboard his YZF-R1 and YZF-R6 sport bikes, Bill will also display his amazing talents in a freestyle show aboard the brand-new Yamaha FZ8. When you get to the track, be sure to check in at the Yamaha display for more information about this special show.
Along with all the racing events at Daytona, Yamaha will also have displays and demos of the 2011 Yamaha and Star models, including the brand-new Stryker.
To demo a bike, be at the display Saturday, March 5 through Friday, March 11 from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. You’ll need a valid motorcycle license (permits are not allowed), a DOT-approved helmet, long pants, enclosed shoes, a shirt, and eye protection to take your ride. Yamaha Genuine Parts & Accessories will be on sale during display and demo hours.
Additional Yamaha activities scheduled at Daytona include an autograph session with the roadracing team on Friday afternoon, March 11, from 2:30-3:15 PM at the Yamaha display.
On Saturday morning, March 12, beginning at 8:30 AM at the Yamaha display right at the track, Yamaha will host the Star Touring and Riding Association for a Star Owners Pancake Breakfast where Yamaha executives will be doing the cooking. If you’re a Star Owner, don’t miss it.
Finally, on Thursday afternoon, March 10th from 6-8PM, Star Motorcycles will also be sponsoring a special meet-and-greet event at Hooter’s across from the track with MMA/UFC competitors Diego "Nightmare" Sanchez and Melvin "The Young Assassin" Guillard, along with Playboy Playmate Charis B.