For a long time, the Daytona 200 was the USA’s premier road racing event, garnering attention around the world. Over time though, the prestige of the race has waned away, and with DMG handing over AMA Pro Road Racing to MotoAmerica, the race’s stature has come under question.
For 2016 though, the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) has given the Daytona 200 its blessing, sanctioning this year’s running of the race.
Officially put on by the American Sportbike Racing Association, the Daytona 200 was little more than a club race when it ran last year. This is due to a variety of factors, one of which was the lack of FIM sanctioning, which only the AMA can grant.
Getting the AMA sanction now means that racers from all over the world, who carry an FIM license, can now compete in the Daytona 200. This means that star racers from Europe and Asia can come to America during bike week and compete on Daytona’s banked walls.
With marquis riders, hopefully the Daytona 200 will once again earn a place in the American motorcyclist mindshare.
“Without a doubt, the Daytona 200 is a historic motorcycle race, known not just by American riders but by riders around the world,” said Bill Cumbow, AMA Director of Racing. “Indeed, with an AMA sanction, international riders governed by non-U.S. motorcycling federations can more easily secure the start permissions they need to compete at this storied event.”
As it’s been in recent years, the Daytona 200 will be a 57-lap event, that clocks in over 200 miles at the Daytona International Speedway, and will feature 600cc sport bikes.
Source: AMA
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