Nine reasons why Daytona Beach is ‘Speed City, USA’

If you're a gearhead looking for a motorcycle mechanic school, what better place to study than in Daytona Beach, Fla.?

Situated midway along Florida's Atlantic coast, Daytona Beach has been America's "Speed City" since the early days of the 20th century when inventors would use the area's smooth, hard-compacted sand beaches to test their latest automobiles. Today, the air of Daytona Beach roars with the sound of internal combustion engines all year round, with the city serving as a mecca for enthusiasts of four-wheeled and two-wheeled speed machines alike.

Here are nine reasons why Daytona Beach is, indeed, "Speed City, USA":

1. The beach. Daytona Beach is one of the few East Coast beaches that still allow drivers to operate cars and motorcycles on the sand. Daytona was long used as a proving ground for cars, and the area's love affair with wheels remains.

2. Daytona Beach Bike Week. Inaugurated in 1937, this 10-day-long event is held in early March and attracts more than half a million motorcycle enthusiasts for a non-stop festival of motorcycle racing, concerts and, of course, parties.

3. Biketoberfest. Launched in 1991, Biketoberfest is the fourth-quarter equivalent of Bike Week. Although attendance is not quite up to Bike Week's levels, there's still plenty of racing, music and fun to fill the weekend-plus-long event.

4. The Daytona 500. The "Super Bowl of Stock Car Racing," the Daytona 500 is the first race of the official NASCAR season, and like the Masters Tournament in golf, is considered the sport's most prestigious.

5. Speedweeks. This is a four-week-long series of auto races held at the Daytona International Speedway, climaxing with the Daytona 500.

6. Coke Zero 400. Originally known as the Firecracker 400 because it is usually held around July 4, this 400-mile race has been staged at night since 1997, making it the longest nighttime race - and the only "restrictor plate" race - on the NASCAR schedule.

7. NASCAR Headquarters. William "Bill" France founded the National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) in Daytona in 1959, and the city continues to play host to the organization's national headquarters.

8. Turkey Run Car Show. Held on Thanksgiving weekend at the Daytona International Speedway, this is one of the largest classic car shows and swap meets in the Southern U.S.

One can also argue for a ninth reason why Daytona Beach is "Speed City, USA" -- Daytona is home to a campus of WyoTech, one of America's leading technical training schools offering motorcycle mechanic training, and its Motorcycle Technology career education program.

For people looking for a motorcycle mechanic school, WyoTech offers a modern 100,000 square-foot classroom and workshop complex where they can prepare for careers in the field of motorcycle repair and motorcycle maintenance. Taught by industry professionals, WyoTech's Motorcycle Technology program offers small classes and allows students to specialize in Asian, European, Harley-Davidson or Off-Road Power bikes.

After graduation, WyoTech's Career Services department helps students contact employers such as motorcycle dealerships and repair facilities that know and respect WyoTech's national reputation for education excellence.

For information on the Motorcycle Technology program, contact WyoTech in Daytona Beach today. Financial aid is available for those who qualify.