Daytona Motorcycle Madness, 1948

Running wide open on the Beach at Daytona, circa 1948.

Last Friday night's Daytona 200 motorcycle race at the Daytona International Speedway was exciting, all right, but not nearly as thrilling as bike racing was in the sport's early days when the races were run in daytime – and right on Daytona Beach itself.

In 1948, LIFE magazine covered the 12th annual races at Daytona and reported, in its April 19 issue, that "for four days last month the resort city of Daytona Beach could hardly have been noisier – or in more danger – if it had been under bombardment."

Now, with unpublished and rarely seen photos from the racing meet, LIFE.com opens a window on a long, loud weekend 60 years ago – a weekend that thrilled thousands of racing fans and, as if proof was needed that the young sport was still in the hands of daredevils, rebels, and scofflaws, saw two people killed and 30 more injured.

For a photo gallery of the LIFE pictures, go to Need For Speed

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