I dropped in to Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama on the way to Daytona Bike Week. I had the opportunity to sit down with Kenny Riedmann, who was there helping with a Jason DiSalvo Speed Academy course.
Kenny told me that he feels really good about this first AMA round of the year on his Latus Motors/Riedmann Racing Triumph Daytona 675R. With three past Daytona winners (Joey Pascarella, Elena Myers and DiSalvo) and a Daytona rookie in Riedmann, the Triumph team effort looks strong. Kenny has never ridden at Daytona, but feels good physically and has been watching his diet carefully. “He even gave up his fries at lunch,” quipped DiSalvo, while munching on a few fries himself.
A new sponsor for Riedmann this year is Hindle Exhaust Systems. “I’m proud to be running a Hindle exhaust,” Kenny noted regarding the Canadian connection. Gary Medley has prepared the Riedmann bikes, with Canadian Ben Gardner instrumental in helping with some engine cooling issues. Another new sponsor this year for Riedmann is Cortech apparel. Riedmann is also supported by Castrol, GE Capital, Freedom Road Financial, Latus Motors Racing, Sturgess Cycle, Shoei, Cortech, Bickle Racing Products, Dion Device, Pro 6 Cycle, Apex and Fast Frank.
Young Set For Daytona
The following day, I caught up with Ben Young breaking in his new Yamaha R6 engines at Jennings GP in north Florida. Weather conditions were favourable, and the paddock was littered with Canadians escaping the late winter freezing temperatures back home.
This will be Ben’s second Daytona 200 and his expectations have risen.
“I expect to be a regular top 10 this year, with an all-around better bike and having completed a year in the Daytona SportBike class,” said Young. He will also be running a Hindle Exhaust System, which made more power in back-to-back comparisons with last year’s exhaust. Having raced Daytona last year, Ben realizes the importance of the draft. “I did 1:53’s last year circulating on my own, and the race pace is high 51’s, so with a draft that should be no problem.”
Ben’s fitness has always been good, “Last year I felt like I could have gone another 50 miles,” Young joked about how he felt at the end of the race. The BYR crew includes Gerry Dagget (crew chief), TJ Fehey, Scott Young, Mick Vaclavic, Kris Garvie, Zac Herrin and Stuart McDonald. Young is supported by Tim Hortons (Sudbury), Fogi Racing, Hindle Exhaust, K&N Filters, DUA Motorsports, Kick Energy, Int. Motorcycle Supershow, Vortex, B-17, Axo Leathers, Arai Helmets, Scot-Build, GP Tech, BCL Motorsports, Cycle Performance and Worx.
Canucks Darren James and Steve Crevier will be competing in the Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson XR1200 series, while Winnipeger Jordan Imrie will race in SuperSport on a Honda CBR600. Canadian-born Javelin Broderick will also be running SuperSport as he did in 2012.
Stay tuned to Inside Motorcycles before and during the Daytona 200 for exclusive Canadian coverage. Follow us on Twitter @inside_motorcyc or on Facebook at facebook.com/insidemotorcycles
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