User:Gamweb/sandbox8
Biketoberfest
[edit]In 1991, the Daytona Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau created a second motorcycle festival event in the fall, named Biketoberfest. Biketoberfest is usually scheduled for the weekend immediately following Columbus Day, although some participants arrive on Columbus Day weekend and visit for the entire week. Daytona International Speedway also sponsors some motorcycle races to coincide with the dates of Biketoberfest. [1] [1] [2]
History
[edit]The Daytona Beach Bike Week rally started as the Daytona 200 race on January 24, 1937. This first race was a 3.2 miles (5.1 km) beach and pavement course. It was won by Don "skunk" Feaster from Tacoma, Washington, riding a Norton motorcycle with an average speed of 73.34 mph (118.03 km/h).
This yearly race took a break from 1942 to 1947 due to World War II. During the years off, an unofficial event was still taking place commonly called Bike Week.
In 1947 the official race resumed and gained in popularity. The event was then promoted by the late William France Sr., co-founder of NASCAR.
Deaths
[edit]There have been a number of deaths at the festival due to rider accidents.
| Year | Deaths | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | ||
| 1991 | ||
| 1992 | ||
| 1993 | ||
| 1994 | ||
| 1995 | ||
| 1996 | ||
| 1997 | ||
| 1998 | ||
| 1999 | ||
| 2000 | 15 [3] | Record at the time (only surpassed in 2006). |
| 2001 | 6 [4] | |
| 2002 | 13 [5] | |
| 2003 | 1 [5] | |
| 2004 | ||
| 2005 | ||
| 2006 | 20 [6] | Highest recorded annual death toll. |
| 2007 | 8 [6] | |
| 2008 | 7 | [6] |
| 2009 | 7 |
References
[edit]- ^ "How Racy Will Biketoberfest Get?". WESH. October 13, 2004.
- ^ "Despite Noise, Area Pumped by Biketoberfest Numbers". The Daytona Beach News-Journal. October 26, 1999.
- ^ "Grim toll of record Bike Week rises to 19". Florida Highway Patrol. 2006-03-16.
- ^ "Crash Victim Dies; Bike Week Toll at 6". Sarasota Herald Tribune. 2001-03-16.
- ^ a b "In Brief: Daytona Beach: 2 Motorcyclists Still in Hospital". Lakeland Ledger. 2003-03-10.
- ^ a b c "7th motorcyclist dies as Bike Week concludes in Daytona Beach". Sebastian Sun. 2008-03-10.