Craig Vetter, the inventor of the motorcycle fairing and Class of 1999 Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductee, is the featured guest at this year's 26th annual Breakfast at Daytona.
Vetter, who founded the Vetter Fairing Company and designed the Triumph X-75 Hurricane, is an advocate of using the least amount of energy as possible. His Vetter Fuel Challenge invites designers to see just how far a motorcycle can go on a gallon of gas. He's seen 50 mpg Ninjas get as much as 100 mpg through streamlining.
"Craig Vetter's impact is far-reaching, starting with the design of the iconic Windjammer fairings of the 1970s, continuing with motorcycle designs like the Triumph X-75 Hurricane and the limited-edition "Mystery Ship," and enduring more recently with a resurrected series of motorcycle fuel economy runs that push the boundaries of everyday streamlining," said Jeff Heininger, chairman of the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation, which oversees the Hall of Fame. "We're proud to host motorcycling's design professor emeritus for this year's Breakfast at Daytona."
Breakfast at Daytona is a fund-raiser featuring an interview with Vetter on stage, a Q&A period, and an autograph session with Vetter and other Motorcycle Hall of Famers in attendance.
Vetter's first motorcycle design was 50 years ago - the Daytona Display for Bridgestone motorcycles. Vetter said his college professor questioned him on whether he really wanted to use motorcycle. Back then, motorcyclists were not respected.
"Things sure have changed," Vetter said. "Today, motorcyclists occupy a new position in American culture. Today, it is cool to ride. We even have a Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum. How did all that happen?
Breakfast at Daytona is at 7 a.m. EST Friday at the Daytona 500 Club on the infield at Daytona International Speedway, 1801 W. International Speedway Blvd. in Daytona, FL.