2012 Daytona Rat’s Hole Custom Bike Show And Cafe Racer Showdown

The Rat’s Hole Show, the Grand Daddy of all custom motorcycles competition will be held on Saturday March 17th, 2012, from 10 am to 5 pm.

Same location and formula: great setup at the Daytona Lagoon Waterpark (public entrance on Earl Street next to Parking) and a plethora of custom bikes from Bobbers to Choppers to Cafe Racers to the strange and weirdest mechanical contraptions one can imagine, food, M?C Radical Randy…and the bikini Rat’s Mates.

In addition to the world famous Rats Hole Custom Bike Show featuring most of the best custom bikes in the nation in 23 different classes, the Rat’s Hole will have a special event, the “Cafe Racer Bike Showdown.” 4 top builders competing for your vote to win the coveted “Showdown Champion” title and trophy.  The Winner will be determined by people vote. Everyone who comes through the front door will receive one ballot ticket to vote for the bike that they like the best.

Also, for its 40th Anniversary the Rat’s Hole is pulling out all the punches. Organizer Ted Smith is making new trophies with the Famous Rat’s Hole Big Daddy Rat trophy going 3 deep.  This will be a collector’s item for the special Bike Builders that place in the top 3.  With 23 available classes you too can take home one of these collectable trophies.

All pre-registered bike owners will be invited to the 40th Anniversary VIP party, Thursday March 15 at “Harley Crossing” (free parking) The party is FREE to the public with registered bike builders getting the VIP treatment. “Harley Crossing” is across the street from Destination Daytona and will have 2-dollar drafts at the Rat’s Hole Bar plus their Big Mug 34oz beer for 5 dollars, Bands and Great food all week long. All participants of the 23 competing classes can pre-register at Rat’s Hole Custom Choppers Show.

13 Responses to “2012 Daytona Rat’s Hole Custom Bike Show And Cafe Racer Showdown”


  1. 1 Texaspete Feb 24th, 2012 at 3:54 pm

    Eh, shows not what it used to be. Maybe it’s the economy maybe some thing else.

  2. 2 Steve Carr Feb 24th, 2012 at 6:59 pm

    Cant wait to see “The Preacher” get a dose of reality, if he is even a part of this.

    Steve Carr

  3. 3 Aloha-Terry Feb 24th, 2012 at 11:01 pm

    Cannot wait to get to see this years show. It always is a great event, and fun too. I did hear from my buds in the Tampa Bay area, and Larry Mcbride mentioned it too, that Rev. Jim is coming across state with his nicely done SOHC Honda. I saw Ricky Gadson Drive ride it all over at the Valdosta Drags… It is a great looking, very Orange, and FAST bike. If that is the “Preacher Bike” that Steve Carr is talking about, then I think we are in for a treat. See you guys there!
    Aloha-Terry

  4. 4 Colemanfu Feb 25th, 2012 at 4:23 am

    HD Crossing? Was that the old Suck Bang Blow?

  5. 5 Steve Carr Feb 25th, 2012 at 9:53 am

    A very fast 40 some year old 750cc Honda? Very fast compaired to what, a 40 some year old 750cc Honda?

    If thats the case, then yes, that is something to be very impressed with, and Im sure Mr. Gadson was barely able to control that beast. I bet he was so impressed with that 40 year old technology, that he is tempted to use that platform in his 2012 race bike.

    Oh by the way, being the expert that the “Religious One” is with all things motorcycle, how could a bike wind up at a drag strip in Valdosta for a guy like Mr. Gadson to test, with plastic jets in the carbs? That tells me the bike builder (of which he did very little of the build if any) either didnt go through the carbs, or doesnt know plastic jets dont work…..or both….The Truth shall set him free..

    and trust me, he will be set free, free to continue to spread B.S. where ever he goes.

    Just my opinion, be it right or wrong.

    Steve Carr

  6. 6 John E Adams Feb 25th, 2012 at 9:06 pm

    Looks to be a great one – can’t wait !

    John A Adams

  7. 7 Gary Taylor Feb 26th, 2012 at 11:42 am

    Steve Carr,
    I’m pretty sure your not the Steve Carr who’s set LS records and has had AMA #1 plates…lol.
    That “40 year old” Honda is still fast, unless you don’t consider low 13’sin the 1/4 and a 120mph top speed quick or fast? Still capable of “whoopin” most modern V-Twins, but heck I do this now on a 650 Honda single!! A little “massaging” and these Japanese tanks would easily launch into the mid to high 12’s. I know, I had two back in the day.
    As for “plastic jets”? Why not? With some of the new polymers and phenolic resin based plastic compounds we have these days I see no reason carb internals can’t be manufactured from “plastic”. Many times new innovation was done simply because someone said “it can’t be done”!
    Feel free to keep your opinion, but try to open your mind and eyes once in a while. You’d be amazed at what you might learn!
    All in all, a lot of cool stuff here. I’m more into engineering and innovation than “looks”. Pretty is easy to do, making performance is much more difficult.
    Gary Taylor

  8. 8 Steve Carr Feb 26th, 2012 at 12:57 pm

    Gary,

    Very good point, but these jets are not of new super polymers, they too were 40 some yrs old.

    Now do you see what I am talking about? And I agree about the 12 sec. times, yeah 40 yrs ago that was pretty impressive. If we are thinking in that respect, well then lets celebrate the days when Model A Fords ran a 1/4 in under a minute, yes at the time that was the fastest.

    Do we all now have to give a builder of one of these bikes some sort of honors because he, or better yet, a few people he knows, bolted up and hacked up a 40 yr old Honda, used some orange paint and scotch brighted a few parts?

    Again, just my simple minded opinion…

    Steve Carr

  9. 9 Z Man Feb 27th, 2012 at 12:01 pm

    Gee Steve,
    What’s up your butt? Got a think for the ol Preacher?
    Cafe Racers are the thing now, and if he is good enough to be invited to build a bike for a hit show
    like Cafe Racer, maybe you should show a little respect. I don’t see your name anywhere but blasting negativeness about a great bike and movement.
    BTW…have you even seen this bike? Scotch Bright parts? Are you kidding me? Get real, and post something positive for a change.

  10. 10 motorcycle medic Feb 27th, 2012 at 12:42 pm

    my first daytona ever!

  11. 11 Steve Carr Feb 27th, 2012 at 7:47 pm

    Z-Man

    I am one of the most positive people who post here.

    I just dont choose to drink the “Religious” Cool-aid being spread by that guy any longer. You too will soon learn the truth about that guy.

    Just my small minded, very experienced with that guy, opinion.

    Steve Carr

  12. 12 Robert Anderson Mar 18th, 2012 at 1:15 pm

    I have been to many Rat’s Holes over the years, starting around 1980 and I have been to every Rat’s hole since 2006. This show has failed yet once again. The overall winner of the show is “NOT” a winner, the so called judges should retire. Change the judging and maybe there will be a few true winners. There was a few nice bikes there that should have trophies in hand but don’t. It’s a shame.

  13. 13 firewind Mar 21st, 2012 at 11:40 am

    Robert, why don,t you judge. You seem to know it all.

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Cyril Huze