Event
Sons of Speed @ New Smyrna Speedway
Sons of Speed @ New Smyrna Speedway
Why Are We Unique?
It’s often described as "outlaw racing" because it is unsanctioned by major corporate bodies. It’s a community-driven event where the racers—ranging from famous builders like Billy Lane and Rick Petko to vintage enthusiasts—often help each other fix "mechanical gremlins" in the pits just to make sure everyone gets a chance to tear up the track.
If you want to join us, the VIP with Pit Pass is generally considered the "full experience" because it allows you to see the difficult bump-start process and the maniacal mechanical work required to keep century-old bikes running between heats.
Gates open at 10:30 am
Gates close at 4:00 pm
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Founded by legendary custom bike builder Billy Lane, Sons of Speed is a high-octane vintage motorcycle racing series that revives the dangerous, raw spirit of early 20th-century board track racing.
Unlike modern races with advanced safety tech, this event is a "no-frills" throwback where racers pilot century-old machines around steeply banked tracks at terrifying speeds—with no brakes!
The Machines: "Old School" is an Understatement
The bikes are the stars of the show. To maintain historical authenticity, the racers use stripped-down, period-correct American motorcycles (primarily Harley-Davidson and Indian).
- Eras: Most bikes are pre-1925 (Board Track era) or pre-1950 (Flathead era).
- Mechanics: These machines have no brakes, no clutch, and no gearbox.
- Power: They are powered by vintage V-twin engines, some of which are over 100 years old, yet they can still hit speeds between 80 and 100 mph.
- Starting: Because they lack clutches or starters, the bikes must be "bump-started" or pushed by a support vehicle to get the engines firing.
The Venue: Chasing the "Motordrome"
While the original wooden "Motordromes" of the 1910s are long gone, Sons of Speed recreates the experience on asphalt tracks with high-degree banking.
- Primary Location: The New Smyrna Speedway in Florida is the main home for the event, typically held during Daytona Bike Week (March) and Tennessee National Raceway in Hohenwald TN.
- The Banking: The track features 22-degree banks, which allow the bikes to maintain high speeds through the turns—a necessity when you don't have brakes to slow down.
Our Race Classes
The event has grown from a single race into a series with multiple classes to accommodate different engine sizes and eras:
- 500cc Single Cylinder: The lightest and most agile of the vintage machines.
- 1000cc Stock Twin: Original-spec V-twin engines.
- 1000cc Modified Twin: Hot-rodded vintage engines for extra speed.
- 45 Cubic Inch (750cc): Focused on the mid-century Harley and Indian Flatheads.
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