Emde keeps memories alive

From Daytona International Speedway

DAYTONA BEACH, FL – The American Historic Motorcycle Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) has turned back the clock for the next two days at historic Daytona International Speedway and attracting plenty of attention in the garage is a replica 1948 Indian that the late Floyd Emde rode to victory in that year’s Daytona 200 By Honda.

The replica 750cc, 45-cubic inch bike was built by Steve Huntzinger with the help of Floyd Emde’s son and 1972 Daytona 200 By Honda winner Don Emde.

Emde has brought the No. 99 blue-coloured Indian to AHRMA Vintage Days at Daytona International Speedway and is riding this historic bike in the “Great Men, Great Machines” parade.

“It’s been 60 years this year from when he won the 200,” Emde said. “I just wanted to do something and let people remember those old days. It was a fun project. We found this Big Base Scout Indian. There were only about 30 of them that were ever made. I had to find one, which I actually did in an auction, and got it with a guy who is a top level restorer."

Floyd Emde won the Daytona 200 back in 1948 when the race was still being held on the beach. He averaged 84.01 mph in his victory and was the last rider to win the Daytona 200 By Honda aboard an Indian.

Don Emde joined his father Floyd as a Daytona 200 champion in 1972 at DIS, and to date, is the only father-son combination to win the Daytona 200 By Honda.

Emde has a strong passion for the Daytona 200 By Honda, which will go green on Saturday at 2 p.m. with the AMA Formula Xtreme Series. He has penned a book on the historic race and will continue to update the book with new editions.

AHRMA continues racing on Tuesday before AMA moves into “The World Center of Racing” on Wednesday.

Winnipeg's Paul Germain won the 250 GP event on Monday aboard a 1968 Yamaha, and placed second in 350 GP riding a 1968 Ducati. Aurora, ON's John Cooper placed second in Classic 60s riding a 1960 Gold Star.

AHRMA Monday Race Results

200 GP: 1. Jack Parker, 1966 Yamaha
Pre 1940: 1. Alex McClean, 1939 Norton
Production Lightweight: 1. Rick Benegbi, 1975 Honda
BOT Formula 2: 1. Pete Friedland, 2006 NCR Millona
Open Two-Stroke: 1. Steven Asplant, 2007 Yamaha
SOS Two-Stroke: 1. Steven Thompson, 1995 Honda
Super Mono: 1. Kevin Keys, 2002 Honda
Classic 60s: 1. David King 1960 Norton
Classic 60s 650: 1. Bud Denny, 1961 Triton
Formula 125: 1. Alex McLean, 1978 Honda
Sportsman 350: 1. Wes Orloff, Honda CB
Vintage Superbike Light: 1. Craig Breckon, 1982 Honda
250 GP: 1. Paul Germain, 1968 Yamaha
Class C – Foot: 1. Alex McLean, 1939 Norton
Class C – Hand: 1. Art Farley, 1939 WLDR/Harley
BOT Formula 1: 1. Larry Pegram
BOT Formula 3: 1. Shigeru Honda, 2004 Ducati
Motard: 1. Mike Parker, 2004 KTM
350 GP: 1. Bruce Yoxsimer, 1968 AJS
Formula 250: 1. Craig Breckon, 1970 Can-Am
Production Heavyweight: 1. Rick Benegbi, 1975 Honda
Vintage Superbike Middle: 1. Ed Milich, 1980 Ducati
Bears: 1. Stan Keyes, 1972 Norton
Formula 500: 1. Charles Easterling, 1976 Yamaha
Sportsman 500: 1. Mike Mathews, 1971 Honda
500 Premier: 1. Tim Joyce, 1962 Norton Manx
Vintage Superbike Heavy: 1. Thad Wolff, 1980 Suzuki GS
Super Mono 2: 1. Kevin Keys, 2002 Honda
Sound of Thunder: 1. Larry Pegram, Ducati
Formula 750: 1. Paul Lima, 1970 North Triumph
Formula Vintage: 1. Paul Lima, 1970 North Triumph
Triumph Thruxton: 1. Robert McClendon, 2004 Triumph Thruxton