Taylor makes both mains

From Donald Taylor

DAYTONA BEACH, FL -- Don Taylor qualified for both rounds of the AMA Grand National Championship Flat Track Singles events here last week on the Harley-Davidson Canada/Clare’s Cycle, Kurt Biegger-prepped 450 in his first attempts in this division.

On Wednesday evening Canada’s champion emerged from the two timed practice rounds a solid 19th out of the top 60 and then ran a competitive race in his heat, running third for most of the contest then slipping to fourth at the flag (top two transfer to the main event).

In the semi Taylor started well and ran second throughout the contest while pestering the race leader to the flag. His finish put him in the main for a third row start.

“I couldn’t be happier,” beamed the Welland, ON quiet-boy. “The bike hooked up like crazy. Last year I got hurt here so this means everything to me. I’m just so excited to be in my first National.”

Between the two qualifiers Biegger, with help from Steve and Doug Beattie changed the clutch on his Nexo Sport/Scorpion Helmet-supported mount. The Beattie brothers had flown in to Daytona and had come directly to the race track to help. The team made considerable changes to Taylor’s bike before his first national, including a new and wider front rim, fresh edge on the rear tire and a one tooth change in gearing.

A top 10 finish was not on the books for Taylor this time as he ran with the riders he had started with. When the 25-lap National was complete Taylor was 15th in the 16-rider field.

On Thursday evening Taylor once more time trialed well with an eventual 18th fastest, a position that put him on the front row of his heat race. In that race he came off the line well to take the race lead but was bumped off the groove on lap 2. One lap later he returned the favour, body checking his way into the race lead. He was hounded for the next few laps but eventually salted the win by several bike lengths.

Taylor’s heat race win put him on the front row for the feature. The main event was restarted twice due to crashes, which proved to be Taylor’s undoing. In the initial start he came off the line brilliantly in second behind eventual race winner Jake Johnson. He ran second to Johnson for two laps before the red flag came out. On the restart it was carbon copy for Taylor with another great launch and a front running position until the second red flag.

Taylor seemed to execute the third start well but got swallowed up by a group of riders in turn 1 and came onto the back straight in fifth. From there it was a steady process backwards. On lap 22 the 450 single experienced an engine failure, locking up the back wheel and sending Taylor on a low-side slide up to the hay bales. He was ranked 13th in the 16-rider final.

“It’s rough out there," he admitted afterward. "The track is really rough and the riders are more aggressive than I’m used to. I’ve never run a 25-lap final before never mind two in a row so I guess I was getting a little tired, but I’m also really happy. Kurt and Steve and Doug did some great work for me and I really appreciate it.

"Right now I have to speak to Skip Eaken and see if he has a ride for me for Tucson. Jeff Hartrich let me ride the American Harley-Davidson XR750 in the Hotshoe races and I did well on it so I’m hoping Skip has a ride for me.”

Subject to confirmation Taylor will ride in the opening round of the AMA GNC Twins series in Arizona on April 5. He finished one position from transferring to the main in his Twins debut ride at Monticello, NY late last year.