In March of 1973 Yamaha brought 1972 250cc World Champion Jarno Saarinen to Daytona International Speedway to race its new water-cooled TZ350 at what was then America’s most important motorcycle race, the Daytona 200. The talent Finnish rider won the race over Kel Carruthers and Jim Evans giving Yamaha its second straight podium sweep of the 200. Incidentally, ’73 was the first year the race utilized a chicane on the back straight. Prior to that, riders simply raced full speed down the back straight into NASCAR turn three wide open. The speeds had become so great that tire reliability became a major issue and the chicane was implemented to slow the bikes down.

Jarno Saarinen (center) celebrates his victory in the 1973 Daytona 200. Alongside is second-place finisher Kel Carruthers (right) and rookie Jim Evans who scored third. (Courtesy DIS)