I didn't know Dave for very long, I met him for the first time at Almeria in April of 2008, and I'll never forget my first impression. Mike and I were parking the van in the hotel garage and in rides this rather large guy on a filthy GSXR1000 plastered with trackday stickers, kit bag strapped to the seat. Wow, I thought, that's pretty hard core. I didn't know the half of it. Later I got to know him away from the track, and learned that aside from being a great rider he was a great person. We all have our stories about Dave, but what sticks with me is how he did things as much as what he did. No bluster, no bullshit, no excuses, no complaints. It was quite evident that Dave loved good food, and there weren't many ride reports that didn't mention fine wine and delicious food. He was the same with biking. He appreciated good machinery and rode his Desmosedici on the track, as it was meant to be ridden. I've collected as many of his stories as I could gather and I've put them at http://d555ave.blogspot.com/ . Go get a glass of Ribera del Duero Gran Reserva, raise your glass to Dave and enjoy. Len