What do you do to celebrate the 20th anniversary of your first Daytona 200? If you’re Gene Burcham, you go back and race the March Classic for a second time.
Gene Burcham at this year's Daytona 200. (Larry Lawrence photo)
I checked the record books and Gene definitely wins the award for the longest time between his debut 200 and his second ride in the event.
Many will remember Burcham for being one of the fastest riders in WERA’s North Central Region in the 1980s. The Indianapolis-based rider did well enough to actual get the attention of Team Hammer’s John Ulrich at one point, but Gene probably blew his try-out chance with a move typical of a young racer trying to impress.
It was at a WERA National Endurance at Grattan. Gene was probably riding for a Dreyer Yamaha entry, who was contending for a class win. During the course of the Six-Hour Burcham made some tight passes on, if memory serves, Team Suzuki Endurance rider Mike Harth. Harth was none too pleased about having to race so hard with a team a lap down and he complained to Ulrich.
There went Gene’s shot at running with Team Hammer support.
Gene raced in the Daytona 200 in 1989 and finished a respectable 28th out of 80 starters on a Dreyer Yamaha/Suzuki-sponsored Suzuki GSX-R750 owned by Keith Badger.
Burcham in his Daytona 200 debut in 1989. (Larry Lawrence photo)
Gene in this year's Daytona 200 under the lights. (Larry Lawrence photo)
This year Gene was simply hoping to qualify and then finish the race. He made it on both counts, being the last rider to make it in the field and then finishing 48th on a GBR Ducati 848.
No word yet as to Gene’s Daytona plans for 2029.
Rider Files 
Well, I didn’t have the honor of being there for the first running, but I wouldn’t have missed the second running for anything. Racing is a huge part of who he is and is what he was born to do. I am incredibly proud of you, Gene, for following a dream. I love being there beside you for the ride.
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Gene, you’ll never know how proud you’ve made your Mom, your sisters and I, with your racing over the years. I would have given anything for you grandfather to have been at Daytona No. 1 and No. 2.He always loved racing, and was the one that started you out in your pursuit of speed. He saw you through your Moto-X career, and even though he passed on before your roadracing efforts began I know he was watching and cheering you on. Whether you won or lost your family loved to watch you efforts.
Thanks,
Dad, Mom, Karla, and Kim
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Mickey,
Thanks for stopping by.
I remember ’89 Daytona well. A whole gaggle of us stayed at a clean little Ma & Pa hotel on the beach. Those were some fun day for sure. Those that saw him race know that Gene had the speed to possibly go factory, but he came through at a time when some guys were actually paying to get factory rides.
Some of the races at Grattan, where he really flew, come most clearly to mind.
It’s good to see Gene get a second life in racing.
Larry
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