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KARTING LOSES A GENTLEMAN

One of the great things about karting is we make a lot of friends along the way, all whom share the same fascination with recreational Motorsports. For those among the Long Track Community of the Northwest, Dave Clift was known as a gentleman of the sport.

We first met Dave in 2002 at the IKF Road Racing Grand Nationals in Texas. Soft spoken, Dave had the classic style - wearing jeans and a green & white leather jacket as his racing suit the nostalgia was just a part of his trademark. In his 50's Dave claimed two Duffys that year and went on the next weekend to score a 125 light & Heavy win the week after at the Road America SuperNats.

Dave was known as a one-man show. His pit crew was simply his beloved wife Laura. There was a sort of cheerfulness Dave had that you sort of wish everyone had. If you had to choose an ambassador to the sport and you knew Dave, well the selection was easy.

On October 1st, a few hours after his last race at Portland International Raceway, Dave passed away from heart failure.

When we first heard the news my son & I went quiet for a few minutes. We were stunned. Not just from the unexpected news, but that it was someone who left a very positive and lasting impression on us.

Dave Clifts memorial service will be held on Friday Oct 7th at 1pm at The Olympia Country & Golf Club 3636 Country Club Rd NW Olympia WA 98502.

Godspeed Dave, the Karting community has lost a gentleman of the sport.