Daytona Speedweeks wraps up shortly

[KC]

The Daytona Speedweeks begins with the Rolex 24 Hours sports car race, continues with the NASCAR Daytona 500, and wraps up with the AMA Daytona 200 Superbike race.

Another Aussie on another Ducati is sitting on pole. Troy Bayliss and his Vance & Hines Ducati have become the third Aussie to be on the pole on the Italian bike in the last 5 years. unfortunately none have gone on to win this classic enduro. Other notable riders include Mat Mladin/Suzuki in 2nd, Nicky Hayden/Honda in third, Doug Chandler/Kawasaki in 5th, Eric Bostrom/Kawasaki in 6th, Miguel Duhamel/Honda in 7th, Aaron Yates/Suzuki in 10th, Jamie Hacking/Yamaha in 12th, Scott Russell/Harley-Davidson in 13th, and Pascal Picotte/Harley Davidson in 14th. Strangely enough the killer fast in practice Yamahas did not qualify very well with Tommy Hayden in 9th. It should be a great race.

[elephino]

Sounds good, especially with the Aussies up the front.

[KC]

Well it was a superb race for the top three riders, Troy Bayliss on the Vance & Hines Ducati, Nicky Hayden on the HRC Honda RC51, and Mat Mladin on the venerable Suzuki GSX-R. These three separated only once the whole race for a total of 3.6 seconds after Mladin missed the international chicane and was forced to rejoin just adrift of the lead bikes. Bayliss and Hayden looked extremely impressive as this was their very first efforts at the oval/roadcourse. Hayden was especially impressive after being struck by a lap marker during the 600 Supersport race the previous day and suffering multiple bruises from his forceful dismount on the banking. Bayliss finally succumbed from the intense pressure of Hayden and Mladin after passing a back marker in the infield and outbraked himself and low-sided the bike into the hay bales. He pushed the Ducati back into the paddock apparently uninjured but the bike was damaged too much to repair. Hayden continued to lead for another dozen laps before going wide and forcing Mladin to take the lead. Hayden got a good run on Mladin on the final stretch on the banking and drafted past but the Suzuki was more than a match for the Honda in a straight fight and Mladin nipped Hayden to the line by 0.011 seconds, about six inches at 180+ mph. What a great race. Too bad Bayliss went down as he was much better under braking than the Honda and Suzuki riders.

[This message has been edited by KC (edited 13 March 2000).]

[elephino]

Sounds like a great race, and as usual another Australian winning with no mention in Australia.

Mladin is a very good rider, but he seems to have been almost forgotten here since he went overseas. At least he gets occassional recognition for his efforts. Actually Doohan retiring might be the best thing for other Australian riders. Anthony Wests profile seems to have gone up, Gobert is getting mentioned again and also Bayliss and not forgetting Corser or Mladin. Hmm, I think the lack of bike racing is getting to me.