The Birthplace of Speed

Ormond Beach and Daytona Beach are joined at their border and in claims to be The Birthplace of Speed. Numerous land speed records were set on the sands of Ormond in the early 1900's. Inventors such as Mr. Olds, Ford, Louis Chevrolet, Winton and Packard tested their machines on what was the only reliable flat track in the U.S.

Eventually the quest for speed stretched south to Daytona for a 2.3 mile course that looped on the sand and shore road. Legendary drivers such as Sir Malcolm Campbell (238 mph on sand!), and wild stories such as cars turning over and being flipped upright by spectators. Motorcycles joining in. A mechanic/driver named Bill France who fled the Depression up north to make some money in the races but got cheated by the promoters. That same Bill France founding NASCAR in 1947 on the rooftop bar of the Streamline Hotel. The races moved to an inland track and the rest is $$$$$.

We're one block from the Streamline, 3 blocks from the garage the drivers used for repairs, and a 10-minute stroll through 30 historic plaques on the Speed Walk of Fame. And of course the hardpack sand is still here. Each January original race cars reenact the historic 1903 beach races. You can stand within 20 feet of those cars but watch out, they're doing 45 in a 10mph zone!