Long before the Speedway was even a glimmer in Bill France Sr.'s eye, racers in Daytona Beach were careening along at the fastest possible clip. Cars were still a novelty in 1903 when Daytona Beach drivers were pushing for land speed records on a track near today's Granada Avenue beach entrance. A reputation was born here early, drawing racing pioneers like Sara Christian, who famously raced her husband on the combination dirt and paved track in 1949. From the brave forerunners who tore up the hard-packed sand to the modern vehicles blasting away at nearly two hundred miles per hour on Daytona Beach International Speedway, Robert Redd explores the driving tradition that has made Daytona Beach a racing mecca.
Live to Ride is pure adrenaline—a full-throttle exploration of motorcycles that pushes to the limit, with heart-pounding accounts of riding the greatest bikes of all time, all over the world. “Live to ride, ride to live.” For many motorcycle riders, these words express life’s guiding principle. Just take a look at the patch emblazoned on the jackets of legions of riders. Whether they’re roaring down an empty highway on two wheels at an insane speed, hopping on for a few mind-boggling loops of motocross, joining in the “rolling thunder” of a veritable outlaw motorcycle club, or just cruising on a Harley on a Sunday afternoon, motorcyclists of all stripes share a common love of the freedom that is riding. Wayne Johnson, a lifelong motorcycle-lover and acclaimed writer, takes us around the globe and onto the terrain where the most extreme, thrilling forms of riding happen. Johnson shows where it all began more than a hundred years ago when the first motorcycle evolved from the bicycle and lands us on the track today with some of the world’s highest-paid athletes— professional motorcycle road racers. From there we go inside radically different competitions like the vertigo-inspiring “Widowmaker Hillclimb” and the fastest land racing on the planet at the Bonneville Salt Flats. Johnson also offers an inside look at the legendarily secretive culture of biker clubs with firsthand accounts of his own wild rides with an outlaw club. In every one of these venues, you aren’t just passing through as an observer—you are on a bike, racing across new and undiscovered country, the horizon your only destination. If you have ever wondered what it’s like to climb on a motorcycle and feel its engine roar to life, or have actually done it and felt the rush of flying off into the wild blue yonder, or have simply been intrigued by this iconic part of American culture and history, hold on tight for this irresistible, one-of-a-kind journey into motorcycling.
Detailing 65 years of NASCAR history, this lively book explores the personalities, events, and facts every stock car racing fan should know. Important nicknames, dates, and acheivements round out this fan handbook. This guide to all things NASCAR also includes a list of must-do NASCAR-related activities, such as making a pilgrimage to the birthplace of Dale Earnhardt, exploring the hidden gems of major racing venues, and visiting lesser-known museums devoted to the sport.
Enjoy everything Florida has to offer—with dog as your copilot! More than half of all households in the U.S. own at least one dog, and more dog owners are traveling with their pets these days, whether out of necessity or desire. Fortunately, more hotels, motels, and B&Bs are accommodating canine guests than ever before. When you decide that your best friend deserves a Florida vacation as much as you do but you’re not sure how to find pet-friendly accommodations, doggie day-care in vacationland, or restaurants where you and your pal will both be welcome, pick up Fido’s Florida and you’ll find a wealth of valuable information at your fingertips. Whether you need all-important resources like 24-hour emergency vets, pet stores, specialty dog-food suppliers, or resources for dog-friendly fun like sidewalk cafés, shops, and beaches where your dog can accompany you, it’s all here in one terrific new guidebook. It’s time to pack the squeaky toys and the sunblock, the biscuits and the beachball, and head to sunny Florida with your best buddy for a vacation you’ll both love!
Before the Civil War, Florida's population hovered around 200,000. Over the next century, it increased dramatically, rising to just under three million by 1950. During the next fifty years, however, it exploded, increasing more than 500 percent to almost sixteen million. By the end of the twentieth century, the state had one of the nation's largest economies. The Sunshine Economy traces the development of the industries that spurred this major growth. It describes how Florida progressed from being one of the least populated states in the country, with an economy based on forestry products and open-range cattle farming, to the fourth most populated state, with an economy based on sunshine, tourism, retirement, citrus, and vegetables. William Stronge draws on the vast amount of statistical information available on Florida to tell the history of the remarkable transformation of the state's economy. His work is essential in understanding how Florida became a major national economic force. His insights highlight the significance of the tremendous reduction in transportation costs in driving much of the state's economic development. His perspectives also enrich our understanding of Florida's experiences during the Great Depression and the rampant inflation of the 1970s.
Showcase students’ research and earning about any state with these fresh and fun projects, such as State Outline Map Art, Famous People Spinners, 3-D Population Graphs, and lots more. This unique resource includes everything you need: reproducible templates, step-by-step directions, and student samples. For use with Grades 4-8.
