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East Coast Timing Association => ECTA General Chat => Topic started by: 2fast4u2c on September 27, 2008, 12:13:08 PM

Title: We just lost Dave Owen. RIP my friend
Post by: 2fast4u2c on September 27, 2008, 12:13:08 PM: Dave Owen went down after going thru the traps at about 220MPH. No details yet, accident investigation under way.

We will miss him dearly. His son Josh was here also at the starting line when his father went down.

More details as we get them.

Guy
Title: Re: We just lost Dave owens. RIP my friend
Post by: John Noonan on September 27, 2008, 12:19:44 PM: :cry:

My signature says it all...
Title: Re: We just lost Dave owens. RIP my friend
Post by: McRat on September 27, 2008, 12:21:06 PM: :cry:

My thoughts and prayers out to his family and friends.
Title: Re: We just lost Dave owens. RIP my friend
Post by: wolcottjl on September 27, 2008, 12:24:22 PM: It is a very, very sad day. Prayers for Dave and his family.
Title: Re: We just lost Dave owens. RIP my friend
Post by: 2fast4u2c on September 27, 2008, 12:31:56 PM: John Noonan, my phone fell out of pocket and the display crushed, can't call you. The phone works, I just can't retrieve numbers to call. Give me a ring.

Guy
Title: Re: We just lost Dave owens. RIP my friend
Post by: John Noonan on September 27, 2008, 12:32:42 PM: Calling now...
Title: Re: We just lost Dave owens. RIP my friend
Post by: SPARKY on September 27, 2008, 12:34:56 PM: So, sorry to hear this--may the Lord be with his friends and family, as they try to come to grip with their loss.

We are remineded that this is a brief journey and time we mortals get to spend with family and friends---try make the best of it.

Godspeed fellow racer; you will be missed and remembered!!!!!!!
Title: Re: We just lost Dave owens. RIP my friend
Post by: hayaboosta on September 27, 2008, 12:55:42 PM: Most everyone knew of Dave and his work for years. I met Dave at Maxton in June while he was tuning Charlie to 250+ MPH runs. We spoke several times for only a few minutes at a time over the weekend.

While Dave was at Speedweek with Jason I spent quite some time with Dave as we were in impound a few times and Jason lives there during the events. Dave spoke about the sense of family and how the proudest moment of his life was when Josh threw his leg over the bike and entered the Maxton 2 Club. I know it sounds too easy to be true but I just spoke to someone closer to Dave and he mentioned Dave said the same thing.

It has been a tough year for LSR, both two and four wheeled competitors.

It is truly a sad day. Hang in there Josh, our prayers go out to you and your family.
Title: Re: We just lost Dave owens. RIP my friend
Post by: Larry Forstall on September 27, 2008, 01:07:57 PM: Dave was a friend to anyone who met him. He always helped fellow racers and was responsible for the success of many. I am stunned at his loss. As a racer his performance was how we measured our performance. He had a gift for tuning, but no ego. When someone did well, he was the first to offer well wishes. Dave, the racing community will never forget you. Team Forstall-Knecum-DeLuca offers it's sincerest condolences to son Josh and remaining family. RIP Dave. :cry:
Title: Re: We just lost Dave owens. RIP my friend
Post by: isiahstites on September 27, 2008, 01:11:44 PM: My thoughts and prayers out to his family and friends, truly a sad day. :cry:

Scott
Title: Re: We just lost Dave owens. RIP my friend
Post by: MiltonP on September 27, 2008, 01:29:47 PM: So sorry to hear this. My prayers and wishes to his family.
Title: Re: We just lost Dave owens. RIP my friend
Post by: Glen on September 27, 2008, 01:33:08 PM: A sad day for the LSR family, our prayers to the family. GOD SPEED Dave :-(
Title: Re: We just lost Dave owens. RIP my friend
Post by: John Noonan on September 27, 2008, 01:39:27 PM: Here is a page from his website, please read it and for those of you that never had the pleasure of meeting Dave it might give a little bit of insight to who he was..

http://www.newlimitstuning.com/daveo.php
Title: Re: We just lost Dave owens. RIP my friend
Post by: fredvance on September 27, 2008, 01:55:08 PM: As we get older we try not to do ar inthis case not something we regret. What I didnt do was take the time to meet DaveO, at Goliad and at Speedweek, now I will never get the chance. This is a huge loss for our community. Godspeed DaveO.

Fred
Title: Re: We just lost Dave owens. RIP my friend
Post by: PorkPie on September 27, 2008, 02:51:23 PM: R.I.P. Dave - was great to talk with you at the meet
Title: Re: We just lost Dave owens. RIP my friend
Post by: landracing on September 27, 2008, 03:40:36 PM: Yes this news is very sad to hear. Dave Owen, although I didn't know him really well, the few talks we had were great. He was always willing to share.. I am pleased to say that I knew him and had the pleasure of talking with him... RIP and condolences go out to his family. Very sad year indeed.

JonAmo
Title: Re: We just lost Dave owens. RIP my friend
Post by: RZ350 on September 27, 2008, 04:24:31 PM: RIP Dave
Title: Re: We just lost Dave owens. RIP my friend
Post by: 2fast4u2c on September 27, 2008, 04:58:04 PM: DaveO's son Josh, will drive his fathers truck back home with trailer. Lorna (Daves ex) was supposed to fly here to Maxton tomorrow. Please wait with cards until we can get an address that everyone can use. I'm told that DaveO will be going home in the next few days after arrangements can be made by his son and ex-wife.

All we can tell you now is that DaveO went thru the traps at 216mph, his head was down as he did. He never raised his head again and went left after the finish line. Bike in pieces, Dave went instantly. Massive injuries. His bike is in impound with ECTA officials and under accident investigation by the best, Scott Guthrie.

His son Josh asked that we start the meet up again and we went racing as of about 3pm after the ambulance returned.

It was a terrible sight, only a few saw the aftermath and I wish I hadn't. I will never forget you DaveO.

Here's a little story (http://www.1st-to-the-finish-line.com/news/news-nitrous.html).

Guy :cry:
Title: Re: We just lost Dave Owen. RIP my friend
Post by: donpearsall on September 27, 2008, 05:46:56 PM: I am shocked. That is really, really sad news. For his family and of course for his extended family of racers that he helped.

I never met Dave Owens, but had many calls to and from him about his products and services. I remember one time I got a call from him on the salt and he got Jason M. and I together so we could program Jason's EFI computer. He did that just to help, never expecting a dime. And I am sure there are dozens of racers who could tell the same story.

He will be very much missed.

Don
Title: Re: We just lost Dave Owen. RIP my friend
Post by: Seldom Seen Slim on September 27, 2008, 07:40:57 PM: Nancy and I received a call from another racer as we drove across North Dakota on our way home. We've not talked about the incident for the past six or seven hours -- each of us getting our heads to accept this loss. May you rest in peace, Dave.

To tell you how others respected him -- last week, when I was chatting with Terry Kizer (Mr. Turbo, the guy that builds the motors for Sam Wheeler's E-Z Hook streamliner bike), Terry mentioned some work that he's got underway that could benefit one of our rides. I told Terry that we were talking with Dave Owen about turning wrenches for us -- and Terry's instant response was that Dave had already worked with Terry's stuff, and Terry tjen said that he wouldn't have any second thoughts about having Dave do the work instead of he himself. That's high regards from someone that makes his living building top-shelf motors -- saying that there's another person that could do it as well as he could.

Oh, Dave, we hardly knew you. You'll be missed.
Title: Re: We just lost Dave Owen. RIP my friend
Post by: 2fast4u2c on September 27, 2008, 09:15:23 PM: John,

Sorry I couldn't call you back but my phone got dropped on the runway on my way out to the crash site and it was run over by another vehicle behind me. The display is out and I couldn't look up your number. It works but no display. Give Nancy a hug for us.

DaveO was a true racer, friend and fellow lover of 1911's. He will be truly, truly missed.

Guy
Title: Re: We just lost Dave Owen. RIP my friend
Post by: wolcottjl on September 27, 2008, 09:33:54 PM: I did not know Dave very well. I had met him multiple times at Maxton and had the pleasure of speaking with him at length a couple of times. . My youngest had the pleasure of meeting him the last time we were at Maxton. To give you an idea of what type of person he was - My youngest remembered who he was when I mentioned that Dave had passed. Ethan said he was a fast racer and that he was sad that he passed away, but Dave would have wanted people to keep racing. I have to tell you that this shook me up a little. Dave had this kind of an impact on a 9 year old after one meeting.

Joel
Title: Re: We just lost Dave Owen. RIP my friend
Post by: hotrod on September 27, 2008, 09:39:37 PM: More sad news this racing season!

I did not meet the man, but obviously he was held in high regard by those who would be best placed to comment.

RIP and prayers for his family and friends.

Larry
Title: Re: We just lost Dave Owen. RIP my friend
Post by: osti on September 27, 2008, 10:28:06 PM: RIP Dave. :cry:

Glad to have known you. You were one of the greats. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.

Ryan
Title: Re: We just lost Dave Owen. RIP my friend
Post by: SPARKY on September 27, 2008, 10:56:10 PM: Dave had this kind of an impact on a 9 year old after one meeting.

Joel

Guys and Gals---a slight look at immortality---when you can influnce someone after you are gone---and they pass their insights on to the next generation---my definitation of immortality--Great job Dave!!!!!!!!!! :cheers:
Title: Re: We just lost Dave Owen. RIP my friend
Post by: TURBO KING on September 27, 2008, 11:31:10 PM: Godspeed, my friend.

I will miss you.

You were the best friend a person could have.

Walt
Title: Re: We just lost Dave Owen. RIP my friend
Post by: rustman on September 27, 2008, 11:58:06 PM: There are a lot of heartbroken people in our little LSR community tonight and otherwise. Let's never forget Dave and all the selfless things he's done. At the same time, let's get back on the track and do what he'd be doing. It's been a long, sad day.

Russ
Title: Re: We just lost Dave Owen. RIP my friend
Post by: Cuder on September 28, 2008, 12:35:19 AM: Rest in Peace Dave. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Title: Re: We just lost Dave Owen. RIP my friend
Post by: Stainless1 on September 28, 2008, 01:07:54 AM: Unfortunately we are having this discussion again this year. Looks like the big guy is still interested in LSR.
As was said before, we don't get to choose how and when we leave this world, just how we live in it. You can only live your life the way you want and do the things you want to do. Seems Dave lived it, enjoyed it and spread that joy to family and friends.
Getting it right is not easy Josh, but your dad got it right.
I only talked with him briefly at speedweek, but I was very interested in the things he was doing with factory brain tuning. Smart guy, he will be missed by everyone.
God Speed Dave
Title: Re: We just lost Dave Owen. RIP my friend
Post by: John Noonan on September 28, 2008, 01:54:34 AM: Quote from: Stainless1 on September 28, 2008, 01:07:54 AM
Unfortunately we are having this discussion again this year. Looks like the big guy is still interested in LSR.
As was said before, we don't get to choose how and when we leave this world, just how we live in it. You can only live your life the way you want and do the things you want to do. Seems Dave lived it, enjoyed it and spread that joy to family and friends.
Getting it right is not easy Josh, but your dad got it right.
I only talked with him briefly at speedweek, but I was very interested in the things he was doing with factory brain tuning. Smart guy, he will be missed by everyone.
God Speed Dave

Bob well said:

Sally Field said something today about the passing of Paul Newman that seems to ring true with Dave Owen as well "God only makes a few perfect people every year and ~~Paul~~ Dave Owen was one of them"

Many of us are and will continue to have a hard time with the passing of a friend or loved one however we cannot choose the time and place as that is done by a greater power..as Bob (Stainless) said we can only choose how we live our life and spend our time here heartfelt and very emotional condolences to all that knew Dave and especially his wife Lauren, kids Josh and Jake and the many other people that were either close or knew him whose lives Dave has touched in one way or another..

J
Title: Re: We just lost Dave Owen. RIP my friend
Post by: KeithTurk on September 28, 2008, 05:23:49 AM: hey guys... wow... obviously a tremendous loss...

We don't have an idea yet what actually happened... but we had Scott there and he's truly a blessing... If we find something that will help you... rest assured we'll YELL it out... in the meantime we're all simply reeling at the loss.. letting the process do it's thing and not speculating ... cause we just don't know

Keith
Title: Re: We just lost Dave Owen. RIP my friend
Post by: TURBO KING on September 28, 2008, 05:53:43 AM: Thanks Keith.

I am sure you will do all you can. There's no one better than Scott at this sort of thing, I am sure he will be a big help.

I know how bad I feel up here and I can't imagine how you guys are coping down there.

Dave was and always will be "Mr. Maxton" to me.

I set up this thread at Suzuki Hayabusa.org to remember Dave:

http://www.suzukihayabusa.org/forum/index.php?topic=133702.0

Walt
Title: Re: We just lost Dave Owen. RIP my friend
Post by: iamflagman on September 28, 2008, 06:37:13 AM: A FRIEND TO EVERYBODY

(http://www.pbase.com/iamflagman/image/86196002.jpg)
http://www.pbase.com/iamflagman/image/86196002 (http://www.pbase.com/iamflagman/image/86196002)

(http://www.pbase.com/iamflagman/image/89575542.jpg)
http://www.pbase.com/iamflagman/image/89575542 (http://www.pbase.com/iamflagman/image/89575542)
Title: Re: We just lost Dave Owen. RIP my friend
Post by: Paul Batts on September 28, 2008, 07:07:56 AM: Godspeed Dave Owen. RIP brother.

PB
Title: Re: We just lost Dave Owen. RIP my friend
Post by: TheRipler on September 28, 2008, 10:54:43 AM: Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Dave Owen, and to all our friends at Maxton.

Godspeed, Dave.
Title: Re: We just lost Dave Owen. RIP my friend
Post by: Pat Kinne / Salt201 on September 28, 2008, 11:31:02 AM: As was mentioned in a previous post - We in the Land Racing Community are all Brothers and Sisters - with the loss of one - we all hurt. To this mans family the hurt will never go away but the memory of how he affected those that he came in contact with should help dull the pain.
I am a "car" guy and did not know Dave Owens but from the posts on this site he was a Racers Racer - there can be no better tribute. I feel for the loss to the family and for Keith Turk and the ECTA crew. The best to you all - Pat Kinne
Title: Re: We just lost Dave Owen. RIP my friend
Post by: t russell on September 28, 2008, 06:49:25 PM: He was a racers racer.
Last year my wife was battling cancer He always looked me up to ask about her.I hope he knew what that meant to us.
I had the honor to watch him race over the past few years.I saw him get in the 200mph club,but that look/joy was nothing compared to when his son almost made the club.Then when Josh made it Dave was the proudest Dad I have ever seen.
Godspeed
terry
Title: Re: We just lost Dave Owen. RIP my friend
Post by: MIKE MATY on September 29, 2008, 09:38:09 AM: RIP my friend, you will truly be missed.
Title: Re: We just lost Dave Owen. RIP my friend
Post by: guy smalley on September 29, 2008, 09:39:29 AM: Dave was one of the first racer I saw at run at Maxton. Dave was also the last person I would expect to have an accident. I am sadden for his family and hope they can make peace with this. Attached is a photo I took when I first met him. I was looking to get into racing and was very patience as I bent his ear at the staging lane (he probably wished I would leave but was a pro). PS. Dave is talking to another racer not me
Title: Re: We just lost Dave Owen. RIP my friend
Post by: Waco Racer on September 29, 2008, 10:28:16 AM: My family's thoughts and prayers are with the family and racers at Maxton.
Title: Re: We just lost Dave Owen. RIP my friend
Post by: sabat on September 29, 2008, 10:57:58 AM: I'm dazed, sick in the gut, still can't believe it. RIP DaveO.
Title: Re: We just lost Dave Owen. RIP my friend
Post by: DCarr511 on September 29, 2008, 11:59:07 AM: Its sad to hear about loosing another racer. I had never met Dave but obviously he was well known and liked by many.
9/27 has already been a very special day in my life and now there is something else to add to it.

My condolences and well wishes to his Family

God Speed and R.I.P Dave
Title: Re: We just lost Dave Owen. RIP my friend
Post by: HighFiveCycles on September 29, 2008, 02:42:56 PM: Life's race well run,
Life's work well done,
Life's victory won,
Now cometh rest.
-Edward Hazen Parker

My condolences.... May he rest in peace.

Leslie
Title: Re: We just lost Dave Owen. RIP my friend
Post by: Sam Green on September 29, 2008, 05:43:42 PM: Just heard the sad news over in the UK, seems a few guys over here knew Dave and were saddened at the news.
It's been a sad year for LSR but from time to time this happens. Unlike the I.O.M. TT where it is the norm, it's still the safest form of racing and long may it continue to be.
RIP DaveO, my thoughts and prayers are for your family.

http://www.200mph.net/smf/index.php?topic=61423.0

Sam. :-(
Title: Re: We just lost Dave Owen. RIP my friend
Post by: John Noonan on September 29, 2008, 07:01:19 PM: Quote from: Sam Green on September 29, 2008, 05:43:42 PM
Just heard the sad news over in the UK, seems a few guys over here knew Dave and were saddened at the news.
It's been a sad year for LSR but from time to time this happens. Unlike the I.O.M. TT where it is the norm, it's still the safest form of racing and long may it continue to be.
RIP DaveO, my thoughts and prayers are for your family.

http://www.200mph.net/smf/index.php?topic=61423.0

Sam. :-(

Sam,

Here is the longer post dedicated to Dave Owen

http://www.200mph.net/smf/index.php?topic=61422.0
Title: Re: We just lost Dave Owen. RIP my friend
Post by: Sam Green on September 29, 2008, 07:33:17 PM: Thanks John, I don't use the pub chat forum that much, still very sad none the less.

Sam. :-(
Title: Re: We just lost Dave Owen. RIP my friend
Post by: Commuta_Busa on September 30, 2008, 08:57:22 AM: God speed DaveO

I'll miss you alot and cherish being able to call you a friend. Thank you for everything you've done. It's been a few days now and I'm still not able to put in words the sorrow I feel over this. My prayers go out to his family. It's very difficult dealing with such a tragic event and hope everyone will help the Owen's family as much if not more than Dave helped all of us.

Ken "Commuta_Busa" Klein
Title: Re: We just lost Dave Owen. RIP my friend
Post by: DahMurf on September 30, 2008, 03:57:42 PM: Quote from: Stainless1 on September 28, 2008, 01:07:54 AM
Unfortunately we are having this discussion again this year. Looks like the big guy is still interested in LSR.
As was said before, we don't get to choose how and when we leave this world, just how we live in it. You can only live your life the way you want and do the things you want to do. Seems Dave lived it, enjoyed it and spread that joy to family and friends.
Getting it right is not easy Josh, but your dad got it right.
I only talked with him briefly at speedweek, but I was very interested in the things he was doing with factory brain tuning. Smart guy, he will be missed by everyone.
God Speed Dave

Stainless,
I just wanted to thank you for this post. Todd and I read it before making our way back out to the track on Sunday. The way things worked out we both ended up wearing your team shirts that day. We have the obligatory pictures which I think you'll like. I'll post them once we get them off of the camera. They were taken at the end of the day when racing was done for the meet. Todd made three successful passes. With the first he set a record, with the second and third we filmed once pointed forward & once pointing rearward. That was the entire goal for the meet and all we could muster. The reason I'm posting this here is that I'm going to publically be a sentimental sap (which I normally don't do) and tell you that having and wearing your shirt was a blessing to me that day. Every time I looked down at it I remembered what you wrote and it was like getting a big hug from you right at the moment that I needed it. So thank you for being there for me even when you didn't know you were doing it.
Debbie

dangit..... (http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/DahMurf/Smileys/tissues.gif)
Title: Re: We just lost Dave Owen. RIP my friend
Post by: Dan Stokes on October 01, 2008, 06:55:17 PM: I'm a car guy, and relatively new to LSR, but as a volunteer at the track I had many conversations and lots of interaction with Dave. He was always helpful, friendly, and understanding, especially to us volunteers. Even more impressive was his willingness to pass along his extraordinary knowledge to any and all at the track. When I have worked staging, many is the time I had seen him passing along suggestions for everything from riding technique to tuning tips to anyone who expressed an interest, and the smart racers were definitely interested. More impressive yet, he clearly had watched the others and had a pretty good idea of what might help.

As Keith said, we really don't have enough information yet to know exactly what happened, but he tells me that ECTA officials will let us all know as we have the facts.

We will always miss him
Dan
Title: Re: We just lost Dave Owen. RIP my friend
Post by: TURBO KING on October 01, 2008, 07:02:27 PM: Well said. Thanks for your thoughts, Dan.

As you stated, he had valuable input on everything from tuning to riding. He is a resource that can not be replaced.

Walt
Title: Re: We just lost Dave Owen. RIP my friend
Post by: smcleod007 on October 01, 2008, 11:08:28 PM: Rest in peace Dave and thanks for all your help these last 2 years. Your the most talented engine guy I've ever met.

Scott
Title: Re: We just lost Dave Owen. RIP my friend
Post by: John Noonan on October 02, 2008, 01:46:42 AM: Quote from: smcleod007 on October 01, 2008, 11:08:28 PM
Rest in peace Dave and thanks for all your help these last 2 years. Your the most talented engine guy I've ever met.

Scott

Amen Scott!!

J

Dave had an unbelievable understanding of all related functions with regards from electrical to mechanical and was a great person as well..

I miss him already... :|

J