The Triumph factory-supported PHR Performance Team will head to the USA in
March this year to tackle the Daytona 200, with Peter Hickman and Richard Cooper
setting their sights on clinching another victory with Triumph’s Street Triple 765 RS.
Hickman’s PHR Performance Team will be preparing two Street Triple 765 RS bikes
in the UK, with the official support of Triumph. Now in its 82nd year, the Daytona 200
runs from 7-9 March at the Daytona International Speedway, Florida, USA. The race
itself gets underway at 1310h local time on Saturday 9 9th March.
The 2024 event presents an exciting opportunity for Hickman in particular, to
compete at the race he’s long been keen to tackle, whilst also serving as a valuable
chance for more track time aboard the Triumph machine that he’ll compete on at the
Isle of Man TT.
“Triumph is pleased to support Peter Hickman and Richard Cooper in their efforts to
bring the Daytona 200 crown back to the UK with the PHR Performance Team," said Triumph’s Chief Product Officer, Steve Sargent.
"This iconic race holds a special place in the history of Triumph Racing In fact, Brandon
Paasch won on the Street Triple 765 in its first outing at Daytona in 2022, and he
credits the engine with making the difference when he powered to his dramatic victory.
It’s the same three-cylinder 765 that forms the basis of the bikes Hickman and
Cooper are racing this year.
“This race, along with our entries into Supercross and Motocross and a strong
commitment in Supersport, mean that 2024 should be a very exciting year for
Triumph Racing.”
“The Daytona 200 is a race that I’ve not only watched for many years, but also always
wanted to compete in, explains Hickman. "To finally get everything in place to run not only myself but also “Coopes” as the official Triumph entry is absolutely amazing and I cannot wait!
We’re running are the same bikes we’ll be running at the Isle of Man TT this year, so
it gives us a good platform for extra testing.
“I need to thank a few teams for helping to make all this happen. Triumph Racing,
Freedom Road Financial, Faye Ho and the FHO Racing team for not only allowing me
to bring my own team to race here but also for supporting us, and of course David
Robinson of Bathgate Group. Everyone has made a substantial input to get us ready.
I can’t wait to get on track and experience Daytona for the first time. To say I’m
excited is an understatement and I know that with the package we have, we will be
strong contenders.”
Richard Cooper says he shares in Hickman's excitement to take on the Daytona 200.
“I am mega excited to be returning to the Daytona 200! The last time I raced here was
back in 2008 where I finished fifth in the main race. This year, I’m returning with
Triumph and the PHR Performance Team on the Street Triple 765 RS I believe that
with this team and this bike, we are capable of achieving top honours!
“It’s a huge effort from everyone in the team to get the bikes, equipment and
personnel over from the UK but with the team we have, I’m confident we’ll be right at
the sharp end from the first practice. Looking at the previous results, the Triumph
Street Triple has been a great package, winning in ‘22 and delivering a strong pace in
’23. I’m looking forward to meeting and putting on a good show for the fans in March.”
Triumph has a long association with Daytona, tracing its roots back to the factory
team victories in 1966 and 1967 for Buddy Elmore and Gary Nixon respectively.
Sensationally, Brandon Paasch won in 2022 on the debut of the Street Triple 765
under the Supersport regulations, using the triple’s superior torque to power out of
the last corner and judge his victory dash to perfection, taking the flag by 0.007
seconds.