Sons of Speed at New Smyrna Speedway
The first Sons of Speed race is in the books and for all who attended, they can attest to what an epic event it was. On race day a dozen vintage motorcycle racers mustered their courage and skill to take on the daunting ½ mile banked asphalt track at New Smyrna Speedway in New Smyrna, Fla.
In the final heat Brittney Olsen of 20th Century Racing took the checkered flag, with Matt Harris of 40 Cal customs taking second place with Shelly Rossmeyer-Pepe of Bruce Rossmeyer’s Daytona Harley-Davidson rounding out the third spot.
“The reality is that everyone who raced a bike on that track did something that has not been done in almost a century, we made history.” said Billy Lane, renowned bike builder and founder of Sons of Speed. “Every racer and spectator knows in their heart that Sons of Speed was more than an event, it was a camaraderie and kinship that was shared by all. We look forward to our next race in Sturgis at the Full Throttle Saloon.”
Inspired by early twentieth-century board-track racers, the bikes raced in Sons of Speed were stripped down, no clutch, no brake pre-1925 1000cc American V-Twin motorcycles. Most of the bikes were ground up builds with some being finished just before race-time.
The over 2000 spectators in the stands had a birds eye view as racers came by at speeds of over 80 mph with closely raced heats. In the end Brittney Olsen took home the coveted Bill McCann custom made one of a kind trophy causing some to wonder if is should be called Sons and Daughters of Speed. For now we are sticking with Sons of Speed.
The 12 racers were: Billy Lane(1924 Harley) and Warren Lane (1920 Indian Powerplus); Rick Petko (1919 Indian Powerplus); Shelly Rossmeyer-Pepe (1915 Harley); Brittney Olsen (1923 Harley); Xavier Muriel (1913 P.E.M.); Rhett Rotten (1919 Harley); Josh Owens (1919 Harley); Bill Rodencal (1915 Harley); Paul Cox (1917 Indian Powerplus); Buzz Kanter (1915 Harley); Matt Harris (1924 Harley) and Ken Curtis (1914 Harley).
With such groundswell of support for the Daytona Sons of Speed race, Billy has decided to host another Sons of Speed event on Tuesday August 8th at the Full Throttle Saloon as well as another event at New Smyrna Speedway during Biketoberfest on Saturday October 21st. The race at the Full Throttle Saloon will be a dirt track surfaced with clay (to keep it firm) with high banks and will include Pre-1930 1000cc class and 1000cc+ class. More details will be forthcoming. Sponsorship, press and general inquiries can be directed to sonsofspeedrace@gmail.com
The race could not have been possible without the support from Erin Lane, Speed and Strength, Bruce Rossmeyer’s Daytona Harley-Davidson, Sons of Speed announcer Barry Boone, trophy sculptor Bill McCann and our volunteer track officials.
Photography by Jeff Cochran and Jack Intyre
About Sons Of Speed: Sons Of Speed is a motorcycle race inspired by early twentieth-century board-track racing. Featuring stripped-down bikes with pre-1925 American V-Twin engines and a steeply banked racetrack, Sons Of Speed hearkens back to a wide-open, full-throttle, thrilling style of motorcycle racing.The inaugural Sons Of Speed race will take place in Florida at New Smyrna Speedway during Daytona Bike Week in March 2017. Co-founded by veteran motorcycle bike builder Billy Lane, the first Sons Of Speed race will feature twenty riders, builders, and enthusiasts, including Buzz Kanter (publisher, American Iron Magazine), Shelley Rossmeyer-Pepe (GM, Bruce Rossmeyer’s Harley-Davidson), vintage racer Brittney Olsen, Warren and Billy Lane, Rick Petko (of American Chopper fame and master mechanic at Orange County Choppers) and Matt Walksler (motorcyclist and Associate Director of Wheels Through Time). For more information on the debut race and to buy tickets, check out the Facebook event page.
