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Born May 16, 1968 in Blackburn,
Lancashire, UK, Dave Beck grew up the son of a herdsman on a dairy
farm, far removed from the motorcycling world, much less any type of
racing. Dave’s exposure to motorcycles came from a farmhand who rode
a Suzuki GS550 to and from the farm everyday. Dave’s father traveled
all over England showing pedigree cows and Dave frequently
accompanied him. Traveling all over Europe Dave discovered a
plethora of motorcycles planting the desire to own his own.
At the age of fourteen, Dave asked his parents for a motorbike so
that he could ride up and down their long driveway of the farm.
Neither liked the idea, but eventually gave in thinking that he
would have a small crash, skin up his knees, and never want to ride
again. That idea quickly backfired and Dave’s love for two wheels
and speed was born right then and there. A year later the family
relocated to another farm which was near a nuclear power plant that
was surrounded by miles and miles of secured concrete roads.
Dave and his brother would sneak around the gates and ride for hours
until they ran out of gas. |
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Dave attended his first drag race in
his late teens in the mid 80’s. Back then you could pay around $1
for a run down the infamous Santa Pod Drag Strip in Northampton, UK.
Dave said “This was the most expensive “Run What You Brung” I ever
went to, as it led me to wanting to race professionally.” The quest
for more racing began on that day; many years and tens of thousand
dollars later, he still loves to race.
For those not familiar with Dave Beck, his last name might as well
be Beckham. In Europe he is the equivalent of the late John Myers
and Dave Schultz rolled into one. Dave is an eleven-time ACU British
Pro Stock Bike champion. The ACU is the Brit’s equivalent to the
AMA. Dave has also won a European Pro Stock Bike Championship and
has broken almost every single ET barrier in the European history
books from the 7.60 barrier down to 7.0s, plus he was the first one
over 180mph and has amassed over 40 National event wins.
How Dave got to race in the U.S. is funny in itself. Dave had for
years purchased parts for his Pro Stock bike from Jay Regan at MRE.
On his annual pilgrimage to the Prostar World Finals in 1998, Dave
was at dinner with Jay and company when the suggestion came up that
Jay should let Dave ride one of his Pro Mod bikes. That
tongue-in-cheek comment led to one of Jay’s many innovative ideas
where he created a Pro Mod rental program to entice sportsman riders
to participate in the class. In 2000, Dave was one of the first to
buy into the program for what was to be a one off race at the season
opener at Gainesville. Dave qualified #8 and went out first round to
Louis Grist.
Okay, maybe one more time. Having too much fun riding a Pro Mod,
Dave returned two months later to compete at the AMA Nationals in
Columbus, Ohio and in his second event in the U.S. beat the best of
the best winning his first Prostar national event. What started out
as a one-weekend experience turned into eight years of racing in the
states. Dave says “those were exciting years.”
In those eight years Dave competed fulltime in both the U.S. and UK
series, where he consistently brought international flavour to the
Prostar events and always had a smile on his face. The Prostar
series was a better series for having Dave involved. Today Dave is
the reigning ACU Pro Stock Champion and just clinched the 2009
title. At only 41, Dave has a lot more race in him and is a sure bet
to keep racking up records and titles at home.
Other areas of interest:
Residence: Cheshire, UK
Spouse: Charlotte
Children: Penelope – 2 ˝
Occupation: Proprietor of Dave Beck Racing Limited
Home track: Santa Pod Raceway, UK
Team Name: Tvr Power Pro Stock Bike
Crew Members: Charlotte, Ric Naylor, Tom Lynskey and Stephen
Moon. Tuning advice and cylinder heads from Rick Ward. Priceless
help, advice and support over the years from Big Jay Regan
Sponsors: Tvr Power, Ward Performance, MTC Engineering, PR
Factory Store, Nimbus Motorsport, Motorshack, Steve Howe & Sons,
Stephen Moon Consulting, MRE.
Accomplishments:
1994 FIM European Pro Stock Bike champion
1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009
ACU British Pro Stock Bike champion
First European Pro Stock bike to run in 7.6s, 7.4s, 7.3s, 7.2s, 7.1s
and 7.0s
First to run over 180mph in the UK
40 ACU National Event Pro Stock event wins (approximately)
2 FIM European Pro Stock event wins
1 Prostar Pro Mod event win
What year did you start racing or being involved in racing?
1987
History of racing bikes and classes:
I first raced a Kawasaki 750 turbo and then moved onto a 86 GSXR
1100 that ended up highly tuned and seriously lowered
With a keen eye on Pro Stock bike I bought a Kosman / Star racing
bike from fellow British racer Wayne Saunders in 1993. I won both
the FIM European Championship and the UK ACU Championship in my
first year on that bike in 1994.
From 2000 I raced with the MRE team for 7 years on Jay’s Pro Mod,
winning the Columbus event in only my second race ever in the class.
I also ran 200mph at the same track a couple of years later. Those
were exciting years competing in both Pro Mod in the US and Pro
Stock in the UK.
Current race bike / class: Kosman Pro Stock bike with Ward/MTC
motor.
Goals: To run the first 6 on a Pro Stock bike in Europe, to
compete in a NHRA event and to fly in a fighter jet
Interest outside of racing: Spending time with my wife
Charlotte and daughter Penelope, especially at our rental villa near
Disneyland in Florida.
Favorite foods: Steak and cheese fries.
Favorite movie: Any good comedy
Daily driver: Dodge 2500 Ram
Do you own a classic car or truck? I’m a Pro Stock racer, no
cash left for toys
First motorcycle: Yamaha FS1E
Hero: The late, great John Myers |
