brad andres, youngest champion professional motorcycle racer

Riding a Mel Dinesen-tuned Yamaha, Emde earned his very first AMA national podium finish when he took third at the road race in Loudon, New Hampshire. In his rookie season, Emde had some impressive outings. Due to his impressive road racing resume, Emde was given an expert road racing license, despite still being classified as an amateur in dirt-track events. In 1970 Emde had a unique situation of having a split AMA racing license. He won an amateur national on the dirt half-mile in Oklahoma City and a slew of Southern California races, establishing himself as one of the true up-and-coming riders on the national level. Emde logged serious miles on the weekends, shuttling back and forth between scrambles, dirt track and road racing events.Įmde became one of the top racers in Southern California in the late 1960s. Still a teenager, Emde began participating in local club road racing events on a Suzuki X-6 with good success.

Shortly after establishing himself in scrambles and TT racing, Emde began dirt track racing on area short track and half-mile circuits. He quickly advanced and was a regular winner in amateur TT and scrambles races. Racing was very popular in Southern California and Emde got to know many legendary riders, such as Ed Kretz, Brad Andres and Cal Rayborn, as they passed through his family's shop.ĭuring his high school years, Emde began racing scrambles (now called motocross) events on a little Suzuki 80cc motorcycle. David also went on to a notable motorcycle racing career. Later, youngest brother David would travel and help Don. On racing weekends, Emde would go off to help his older brother, Bob, during his short racing career. As he got older, he would spend time on the weekends in the shop doing everything from waxing bikes to taking out the trash. As a youngster, Don would help pass out AMA membership forms before weekend road rides. Running the dealership was a family affair for the Emdes. Growing up, Emde hung around the family's motorcycle dealership in National City, California. 16, 1951, in San Diego, California, to Floyd and Florence Emde. After his racing career, Don Emde went on to become author of 'Daytona 200,' the authoritative book on the history of America's most famous motorcycle race.ĭon Emde was born into a motorcycling family on Feb. To date, the Emdes are the only father and son to have won the Daytona 200. Don came back and won the race 24 years later. Emde's father, Floyd, accomplished the feat in 1948 on an Indian.

With his victory in the 1972 Daytona 200, Don Emde became the first son of a former Daytona 200 winner to win the Florida classic.

Brad andres, youngest champion professional motorcycle racer