Daytona RCSX

Daytona is just different. Pulling into the tunnel at the International Speedway hits you before you even unload your gear. This isn't some backwoods practice track or a local fairground race. You are racing on the same dirt the pros just finished destroying the night before. Ricky Carmichael puts his name on this for a reason. The track sits right on the grass of the tri-oval, which means you have those massive grandstands looming over everything you do.

The dirt is a mix of Florida sand and that dark, tacky clay they truck in specifically for the pro race. It starts out fast and relatively smooth for the first couple of practices, but it doesn't stay that way for long. Since the layout is squeezed into the infield, the jumps are usually peaky and the transitions come at you quick. You do not get much time to breathe between sections. By the time the main events roll around, the corners are full of deep ruts that will grab your pegs if you aren't precise with your feet.

If Kyle Swanson was standing next to the fence watching us, he would be all over us about line choice. At Daytona, the fastest line is rarely the most obvious one. He would have us focusing on keeping our weight centered through those long sand turns and making sure we are timing the rhythm sections instead of just trying to out-jump everyone. It is more about technical discipline than just holding the throttle open. You have to be smart with your energy because the Florida humidity will drain you before the white flag even comes out.

This event is for the riders who want to see where they actually stack up against the fastest kids in the country. If you are going to make the trip, make sure your bike is ready for a beating. Fresh tires are a requirement, and you should definitely double check your spokes before you head to staging. It is a long weekend with plenty of waiting around, so bring a bike stand and some decent shade. Most importantly, do not let the big stadium lights get in your head. It is just another gate drop, even if it happens to be at the world center of racing.