The passion of custom builder and organizer Billy Lane for early 20th-century board-track racing. Add 20 friends sharing the same enthusiasm for pre-1925 1000cc American V-Twin engines. Reserve the New Smyrna Speedway’s half-mile, paved, banked racetrack ready to welcome these 20 antique motorcycle racers. The result is one of the most interesting and followed events of this 76th Daytona Bike Week. It’s called “Sons Of Speed”
After a Friday’s well attended practice where a couple of machines broke down and got fixed right away, a big crowd rushed on Saturday south of Daytona to relive the emotions that our own parents/grand-parents have lived when they watched stripped down bikes race the steep banks of American racetracks.
Let’s thank Billy Lane for creating this now major event of all big rallies where it will be held in the future, at his tenacity during these last 2 years to make it happen, at his hard work for building many of the different chassis used by racers to welcome their pre-1925 1000 cc American V-Twin engines.
In conclusion, I am not sure that the results of the heats and final race are as much important than the friendship between racers, support teams and also with spectators. Above all, let’s thank him for fostering the passion for antique motorcycle racing and for creating a new medium to exchange information about them.
The winners are: 1- Brittney Olsen (1923 Harley) 2- Matt Harris (1924 Harley) 3- Shelly Rossmeyer-Pepe (1915 Harley). (Photos copyright H. Roesler for C. Huze)
Legends people from top to botton, left to right: 1- Billy Lane racing his 1912 Flying Merkel 2- Pacer Steve Coe and racers salute the crowd 3- Warren and Billy with sister Georgia and mother Marion Lane 4- Billy Lane 5- View of the Smyrna Beach racetrack stands 6- Warren Lane with his racing 1917 Harley Powerplus 7- Warren and Billy Lane 8- Bill and Willie G. Davidson went to watch the races 9- custom builder Paul Cox tuning his 1917 Indian Powerplus 10- Billy Lane checking his tires 10- Britney Olsen champion in action on her 1923 Harley 11- Shelly Rossmeyer with Marion Lane 12- They all get started with a push from the top of the racetrack bank 13- Shelly Rossmeyer in action on her 1915 Harley was one of the favorite racers to win 14- Billy (top) and brother Warren faced off in one of the Heats 15- Paul Cox 16- Museum owner, historian and Race Pacer Steve Coe 17- Matt Harris surprised all by his speed in the speedway banks on his 1924 Harley 18- Shelly with mother Sandy Rossmeyer 19- Candy Lane celebrated at the speedway her 8th week on our planet 20- Billy Lane in action 21- The 1919 Indian Powerplus Racer of Rick Petko 22- Warren Lane on his 1920 Harley Powerplus 23- Josh Owens on his antique “Moonshiner” 24- Cyril Huze trying to convince Willie G. Davidson to race next time. Answer “I drink W40 every day, but it does nothing to my knees…” 25- Health Coach Leah Misch thinks that Cyril Huze is over heating in his sweatshirt and will strip him down to a tee-shirt 26- Billy Lane – 27- Rick Petko 28- Cyril Huze with best race supporters Marion and Georgia Lane 29- Trophy Girl 30- Billy Lane congratulates Brittney Olsen, 1st ever racing champion of “Sons Of Speed” 31- Brittney Olsen enjoying the podium and loud cheers from the crowd 24- The Race Pace Motorcycles of Steve Coe.
Many more pictures after the jump.
So many friends were in the race. Killed me not to be there. Huge win for Brittney!
Sober and truthful words from our Cyril and the best photos I have seen. Great report!
Wow! The crowd, the racers. Bravo Billy and to all the participants.
Next time I want to be in the infield with all these guys. Respect to them.
Photography makes me regret to have forgotten about this event and not riding from Daytona to watch it. Hating myself.
Bravo Britney, Billy and all.
I was in the stands. Too hot, but Best event of bike week.
Is it Candy, daughter of Billy?
What a great event, right down to the food and beverage and the guitar player behind the grandstands. A little surprised that the racers outrode the builders by such a margin on these machines, and that Matt couldn’t track down Brittany in the main event. That 40 bike was FAST. Congrats to Billy, the results of his hard work were enjoyed by all in attendance.
A great event and a great report. Very nice photography, a great idea to put legends and also to shoot all the Lane family including Candy.
THIS by far was the highlight of the week ,History in the making great job ever one involved in this event hope they do it again in October
WILLIE
I guess it will be one of the main events to attend. In Sturgis? Daytona Biketoberfest?
I agree that it was a great event but a little bit slow at the beginning for spectators in the stand. This event needs more attractions around the stands and on the track before the race starts.
Thanks Billy and Cyril. People have been waiting a long long time for something like this.
A great full afternoon. Just need to add entertainment.
Very nice!
Pictures say more than thousand words. Gorgeous.
There should be be free beer for all the riders before the race Billy is in.
Wish I had been in Daytona. Next time. Looks exciting.
The race with Olsen an the moonshiner was the highlight of the whole week i was in Daytona….respect for Josh Owens an all….look twice save a life
jack burrows your name says it all. burro
He did his time. You worry about yourself.
It was an honor to witness this event.. Great job to all involved! Matt was extremely fast! Brittany was consistent..
Like Cyril we all should pay tribute to Billy Lane, to all racers and helpers who made this event possible. The only new and interesting attraction on the rally circuit in many, many years.
Saw the other reports. This is the best.
I like that they are paying homage to the classic motorcycle races.
Very cool , good for Billy Lane !
With no injuries, this event is going to get HUGE.
Beautiful overview. Want to watch the next one. In Sturgis? Biketoberfest?
So sorry I had to rush back to work to do some R&D and that I missed that cool event. Hopefully in 2018. Thanks for the report.
Sorry i missed this one, Congrats to Billy for a great idea and to the ladies!
So proud of all the riders, especially Brit and Shelly! Girls, you rocked it!
What a great way to end BW-2017. Great job Warren and Bill
Awesome race! You Go Girls!
Outfrigginhstanding!!! More please
Did everyone suddenly forget what he did?!?!
This was the best event I’ve been to in the last 25 years of going to Daytona for Bikeweek. You had the feeling that you had stepped back in time (100 years) and were at the “beginning” of ALL motorcycling. Congratulations to ALL the participants, but with women taking 1st and 3rd place, they should quickly consider changing the event name from “Sons of Speed” to “Sons and Daughters of Speed.” I have great photos and video of the riders (practice sessions and race day), so If you’re one of the riders and you want to see what I have of you (possibly a different angle than was taken by your friends, or family,) send me an email and I’ll give them to you (no cost).
That was an awsome race…just want to leave a note:Since this is a speedway and an American built bike race..i was stunned that there was no Flag flying as i stood for the National ATHEM!…maybe the track can raise funds to buy a flag and flag pole for the next one????…other than that it was cool.
Trophy hand made by Bill McCann (McCann Design) @mccannfab on Instagram
Super awesome race!