Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

By John Ulrich

–Meeting Dave circa 1973, when I was a cub reporter, didn’t know anybody, and could hardly get any racers to answer my questions. He answered my questions, with a smile.

–Seeing Dave crash himself up the night before the AMA National at Ontario Motor Speedway, fooling around on an XR70 in the parking lot, circa 1974.

–Watching Dave win late-night minibike short-track races held on the tennis court at Harry Klinzmann’s parents’ house in a ritzy neighborhood in Anaheim Hills, California, with chaise-lounge pads duct-taped to the net poles to provide “safety,” circa 1975.

–Watching Dave on his private Yamaha battle and beat Kenny Roberts on his Yamaha Motor Corp. Yamaha heads-up to win the AMA 250cc race at Laguna Seca, circa 1976.

–Hanging out with Dave at the Suzuka 8-hours, 1980.

–Sharing the podium with Dave (along with his teammate Harry Klinzmann, Eddie Lawson and his teammate Ron Pierce, and my teammate Bruce Hammer) after the AFM Pro Budweiser 6-Hour at Riverside Raceway, in 1981.

–Seeing Dave show up to race at Willow Springs again last year, his mile-wide grin the same as it ever was.

Godspeed, David. Godspeed.