Richard "Dick" Klamforth
September 30, 1928 - December 13, 2019
Dick Klamfoth: The King of the Daytona 200
Few names in motorcycle racing are as synonymous with Daytona as Dick Klamfoth. At just 20 years old, the farm boy from Groveport, Ohio, stunned the racing world by winning the prestigious Daytona 200 in 1949—his first-ever attempt. Klamfoth’s victory was only the beginning of a storied career that saw him dominate America’s most famous motorcycle race, earning back-to-back wins in 1951 and 1952 to become the first three-time Daytona 200 champion.
From Farm to Fast Lanes
Klamfoth’s rise to stardom wasn’t as sudden as it seemed. Born on September 30, 1928, in Columbus, Ohio, and raised on a nearby farm, Klamfoth developed an early passion for motorcycles. During World War II, fuel was rationed, but a determined young Klamfoth managed to “borrow” gas from his family’s tractors to ride around the countryside. By the time he graduated high school in 1946, his love for motorcycles had evolved into something bigger.
Starting with local enduro events, Klamfoth quickly caught the attention of a Norton dealer in Columbus, who encouraged him to try dirt track racing. Inspired by the pros at the Springfield Mile in 1947, Klamfoth jumped headfirst into competitive racing, practicing for hours in nearby orchards. By 1948, he earned a second-place finish in the amateur race at Daytona—a preview of what was to come.
A Rookie’s Triumph at Daytona
In 1949, Klamfoth entered the Daytona 200 as a rookie with modest expectations. However, he rode a smart, strategic race. While the Harley-Davidsons and Indians muscled ahead on the soft beach sand, Klamfoth’s Norton shined on the highway portion, flying past his rivals. His smooth, calculated performance paid off—he crossed the finish line with a record speed of 86.42 mph, leading a Norton sweep of the podium.
Recalling his first Daytona win, Klamfoth said:
"With 100 bikes on the course, traffic was thick. I took it easy early on, letting the bigger bikes pull ahead on the sand. But when we hit the highway, I could really let the Norton fly."
The rookie victory wasn’t a fluke. That summer, Klamfoth took second at the Langhorne 100-Mile National and earned an international win at Wasaga Beach in Ontario, Canada.
Daytona Dominance and a Legendary Tale
Klamfoth continued his hot streak, finishing second at Daytona in 1950 before claiming back-to-back wins in 1951 and 1952. The latter victory came with a story that’s become part of Daytona 200 folklore.
Originally, the 1952 race was postponed due to bad weather, so Klamfoth headed off for a fishing trip. Stopping at a restaurant, he was surprised when a fan asked how he felt about racing that day. “Don’t you mean tomorrow?” Klamfoth asked, only to be shown a newspaper announcing the race was back on. In a panic, Klamfoth raced to the starting line, arriving just in time to mount his Norton and secure his third Daytona victory.
Beyond Daytona: A Life in Racing and Business
While Klamfoth never won the AMA Grand National Series, he consistently ranked among the top ten riders from 1954 to 1961. He officially retired from pro racing in 1962 but made a brief return to Daytona in 1964, finishing fifth in his final professional race. He ended his career with 12 AMA national wins and one international victory.
After racing, Klamfoth built one of the largest Honda dealerships in the country and promoted AMA National Motocross events at his Honda Hills complex in Ohio. His passion for the sport never wavered—he spearheaded the effort to erect a monument on Daytona Beach to honor the years the race was run on the beach course (1937–1960).
A Legacy Cemented in the Motorcycle Hall of Fame
Klamfoth’s contributions to the sport didn’t go unnoticed. In 1998, he was inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame. His legacy isn’t just about wins but also about his impact on the racing community and his efforts to preserve its history.
Today, Klamfoth enjoys retirement with his wife, Beverly, whom he married in 1956. The couple has three grown children, and Klamfoth remains an ambassador for the sport he helped shape.
Dick Klamfoth’s record of three Daytona 200 wins stood until 1998, when Scott Russell claimed his fourth. But for those who love motorcycle racing, Klamfoth’s name will always be synonymous with Daytona—a trailblazer who turned a farm boy’s dream into a legend on the sands of Florida.