mrbill_fl

GODSPEED DAVE!

uscarrera

WHITE, David K., Sr., “Dave” age 74, of Tampa passed away Saturday, October 24, 2015. He was born May 19, 1941 in Tampa to his parents, Carter and Pearl (Johnson) White. Dave was devoted to his family and friends. He, along with his wife, owned and operated Dave White’s Autosport and Dave White Racing for over 35 years. While a successful business owner, he combined his business interests with his love of motor sports. He was an IMSA GTU champion, Firehawk Series winner, held several other championships from SCCA, Porsche Club of America, and Historic Sports Car Racing (HSR), first inductee into the HSR Hall of Fame, and presented with the Dave White Mentors Award by his devoted friends. Not only was his racing abilities well known, especially in the Porsche racing circles, his shops designed and built several championship winning cars for other drivers. He also developed and operated one of the first racing schools at Sebring International Raceway. His presence at the racetrack, his willingness to help, and his infectious love of racing will surely be missed. Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Donna White; son, David K. White, Jr.; daughter, Tammy White; granddaughters, Haley, Madison and Dana and great-granddaughter, Natalie. A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, October 31, 2015 at Open Door Baptist Church, 7405 Harney Rd, Tampa, FL 33637. Those desiring may make donations in Dave’s memory to the National Parkinson Foundation at www.parkinson.org Words of comfort may be expressed at www.blountcurryterraceoaks.com.

stuttgart46

Thanks Rich

DanS911

Sigh...

Thanks Rich for posting, gives us all a moment to pause and think

Clipboard

With regrets I must note the passing of David Kirk White, Jr. The thunder we had here last week was Dave yelling at Junior as he reached the Gates.
I could lay out lots of stories from knowing Dave since the 60s, but they just remind me of all the folks involved with DWR who are gone now. It was a wild (at times), wearing (at times), fun (at times), but always worthwhile experience. Dave. Junior. Charles. Bob Akin. Joe Pendergrast. Dave Pancione (sic - never could get that one right). Pete Espenlaub. Art Pilla. Dave McLain. And on-and on.
Those days won't be seen again. Glad I was there.
John Bradley (I started and ran Akin-White Racing and Akin-White Endurance Racing Schools, fwiw)

uscarrera

I too was made aware of Jrs passing way to soon, I miss Dave White Sr. every time I go to Sebring. Dave mentored me in to this crazy “hobby” and I will always thank him to my last day as he was not only a mentor but a friend I can too hear hm yelling at Jr. from the office out to the shop.
RIP Jr.
Rich

911Königin

Great reminder that life is way too short to waste time on something you don't enjoy. RIP ~ hope that racetrack in heaven is keeping you busy

mhm993

Nice to see Art Pilla's name remembered, too. He was a local Schattenbaum driver when he retired from racing.

stuttgart46

That's sad to hear.

RIP Jr. You will be missed.

lipamax

R.I.P.

TLWhite

Just came across this thread. Thank you everyone for your kinds words for my dad and brother. They are missed beyond measure.

uscarrera

🙏🙏

Steve113

Sad news I ran a Akin/White 944 in the Firehawk series a couple of times. Great guy

93 FireHawk 968

Just seeing this thread and thought I'd share a quick story about Dave. I called him years ago regarding a 93 Firehawk 968 that was supposedly modified by Dave but there were minimal documents. I called him and after 30 minutes, had all the details anyone would dream of. He was so generous with his time and provided the entire story of the 968 he modified for the Firehawk series. The level of detail was amazing and supported all the anecdotal info the shop had provided. I will be forever grateful for the time he provided and from there, heard so many other stories about Dave and his passion for the often neglected, front engine, water pumpers.

uscarrera

Yea Dave had a real liking for the transaxle cars he helped me so much when I started racing my 968CS and he build a 968 Firehawk inspired 968 for my racing team mate, here is Dave driving my CS with me in passenger seat at Sebring a bunch of years ago, great memory.
Rich