Vintage Dirt Bikes Take Center Stage at Daytona
In conjunction with the 17th annual Ricky Carmichael Daytona Amateur Supercross, the Daytona Vintage Supercross took place on Tuesday, March 3, featuring 24 classes, ranging from 125cc to Golden Masters (60+).
Photos by Cody Darr
For vintage motocross enthusiasts, a walk through the pits to admire the rare machinery is as much a part of the event as the racing itself. There’s a deep sense of stepping back in time when you see a well-preserved or restored vintage dirt bike. Unlike the uniform, nearly identical modern bikes produced today, bikes from earlier eras were much more distinctive in design from brand to brand. The differences in build are clear when comparing a sleek Ossa Stiletto, the straightforward Hodaka, the boxy CZ, the minimalist DKW, and the “kit” bikes like the Cheney-framed Triumphs—all showcasing the ingenuity and style of their time. These machines act as a tangible link to the past, letting us touch and appreciate the craftsmanship of a bygone era.
Watching these bikes on stands in the pits (often on milk crates) or in action on the sandy Daytona course, the joy of seeing these machines comes from appreciating their analog engineering. It also helps if the mechanic has a red shop rag hanging out of his back pocket.
There is also a strong social bond among vintage dirt bike enthusiasts. Sharing stories about “the one that got away” or the detailed process of finding an original Penton gas tank builds a common language of passion and camaraderie. Ultimately, the joy of vintage bikes and racing is about celebrating imperfection and character.
Most often, the pilots of these antiques come from the same era as the machinery, as if they refuse to let go of a favorite memory. The competitors are truly what define the Daytona Vintage Supercross, since it is, after all, a race and not a swap meet. So, here’s a bit about those daring middle-aged men on their flying machines.
A dominant figure at this year’s event was Georgia’s Robbie Horton, who won both the Vintage 1975-80 and the Vintage 1987-96 classes on a pair of Hondas. Cameron Pappas (Honda) and Jacob Heinselman (Honda) filled out the podium in the Vintage 1987-96 class, while Jason Gilleland (Suzuki) and Joshua Bonnes (Suzuki) did so in the Vintage 1975-80 class.
In the Vintage Pre-1974 class, it was Wade Doering (Kawasaki) with the win, followed by Nicholas Devito (Kawasaki) and Jerry Mattox (Honda).
The Vintage 1981-86 class was won by Scott Sayers (Suzuki), followed by Randy Westfall (Yamaha) and Marcus Ricketts (Honda).
The Vintage King of Daytona division, which is made up completely of Honda XR200s, was topped by Riley Ripper, with Nathan Mock and Dylan Metheny in second and third.
The Warrior class, open to the military and first responders, was won by Torre Streifthau (KTM), with Mike Caddell (Honda) and Dusty Steelman (KTM) in second and third, respectively.
In the age classes, Donny Banks (Yamaha) won the Elite Masters (65+) class, while Tod Gilbert (Yamaha) topped the Golden Masters (60+) class and Frank Koenig claimed the victories in the Masters (50+) and Silver Masters (55+) classes. CN
2026 Daytona Vintage Supercross Results
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