From Bermuda to Daytona, Celtic Racing's Antonie Richards Ready To Face The Daunting 31-Degree High Banks

2010-03-01 18:50
Antonie Richards turned what is a popular form of transportation in his home country of Bermuda into a dream job of being a motorcycle racer.

During Daytona 200 Week, the 22-year-old Richards will make his AMA Pro Racing debut at the “World Center of Racing” in the AMA Pro SuperSport doubleheader next Thursday and Friday.

This weekend, the native of Devonshire, Bermuda is using the Championship Cup Series and American SportBike Racing Association events to get more track time on Daytona’s storied road course.

“It just takes laps really,” said Richards, who is riding a Suzuki for Celtic Racing. “It’s so unique and so fast. You really have to get out there and just get used to the speed and the draft because drafting here is bigger than it is anywhere else that I’ve been to.

“Just the prestige of the track makes it very exciting to be here and get out there on the legendary Daytona International Speedway. People point that out back home in Bermuda. They’re like ‘Wow you’re going to be on the NASCAR track.’ They don’t believe that we actually ride motorcycles here. They didn’t know that until I tell people I’m going to be here.”

After catching the itch to race motorcycles in 2007, Richards first started turning laps on a small quarter-mile track in Bermuda. For the past two years, he has been racing the CCS and WERA circuits in Florida as he continued to learn the ins and outs of motorcycle racing with the ultimate goal of reaching the AMA level.

“When we turn 16, we don’t get cars, we get a scooter or motorcycle,” Richards said. “That’s where I started -- riding in the street. I decided I loved racing as a sport. I always watched it on TV. I used to watch all the AMA races, Moto GP, World Superbike and all that stuff. I was a huge fan.

“I decided that I’m pretty good at riding on the street, I’m going to buy myself a 600. I bought myself a Yamaha.”

When Richards climbs aboard his motorcycle for next week’s SuperSport events, he’ll have plenty of family and friends watching from afar back in Bermuda.

“I’m going to have a lot of people support this and watch me back home, family and friends of course,” Richards said. “I’ll be the first Bermudian to race in the AMA class at Daytona so there will be people back home tuned in to SPEED to watch the race.”

The American Sportbike Racing Association and Championship Cup Series activities wrapped up on Sunday. Next up on the road racing schedule at DIS will be AHRMA, which will stage vintage motorcycle racing on Monday and Tuesday.

Source: Daytona International Speedway

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