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David Bishop 1947 – 2021
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By Greg Burrow |
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David Bishop , the founder of East Coast Drag News and a former Drag Illustrated contributor , passed away January 12 at the age of 73 . In this DI Tribute , Greg Burrow shares the story of Bishop , who he was proud to call a colleague and best friend . |
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During the fall semester of 1967 at High Point College , I was fortunate to make the acquaintance of a young man that would become that person in life who you can truly say was your “ best friend .” Drag racing was our mutual interest . He , from the eastern shore of Maryland , home of MIR , York , Cecil County and Delmar – all dragstrips that David was able to call home . Along with his cousins , Tim Bishop , Jay and Buck Wheatley , and with other members of the Junior Stock racers of the day , the beginnings of a lifelong love affair with the dragstrip was forming . As for myself , I was fortunate to grow up at local tracks like Piedmont Dragway , Farmington Dragway , and later the grand facility in Rockingham where David and I had many adventures , both while in college and afterwards as true members of the media .
After graduating from HPC with a degree in business and a minor in journalism , David found himself remaining in the High Point , North Carolina , area and beginning a career with the Pilot Life Insurance Company , where a gentleman named Al Taylor showed David the ropes and helped him be successful in his chosen profession .
But always the racer , David shared his idea to form Competition Photos , Ltd . to provide professional photo-journalism to tracks in the area , as well as the occasional trip back home or to catch up with friends at the Little Guy Nationals in Suffolk , Virginia . During this time , I was introduced to two local racers , Mike Kennedy and Gary Dehart , that allowed David and myself to tag along as they raced , and won , throughout the Southeast . It was Mike who coined the name “ Deluxe Dave ” one early morning as we awaited David ’ s arrival for a trip to Piedmont Dragway . This was to become the title for his Editor ’ s Column in the upcoming East Coast Drag News .
This led to a very recognizable van that was customized by Jerry Tucker and lettered by ChromaGraphics with the recognizable logo . Also , while in North Carolina , David enjoyed a membership
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in the local Jaycee group in High Point , and was the driving force behind what would become “ the ” event in the area , as well as a highly profitable and long-running attraction that would be known as “ The Oak Hollow Boat Drags .” The event continued even after David ’ s move back home due to his father ’ s illness . That led him to take over the family business , The Hobby Horse , an audio-visual company located in the historic district in his hometown , Easton , Maryland .
With all these things on his plate , David somehow found time to marry the love of his life , Louise , and was rewarded with a great life partner and two wonderful kids , Brian and Angie . Louise and the kids were a great source of support , even after David embarked on his most ambitious adventure
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into magazine publishing with the start of East Coast Drag News . The magazine became a great source for all forms of sportsman racing and truly provided coverage up and down the entire East Coast .
Somehow , during this time , David found time to mentor and help start Bobby Bennett ’ s Competition Plus internet publication that has grown into one of the few premier sources for drag racers all over the United States and Australia .
Also during this time , David used the heading “ Deluxe Dave ” for his editorial column in East Coast Drag News and coined the phrase “ World ’ s Fastest ’ 55 Chevy ” for his friend and hero , Charles Carpenter .
So it was no surprise when his longtime friend , Steve Earwood , proposed David for the Pioneer Award from the NC Drag Racing Hall of Fame . The induction took place in 2017 during the Hot Drag & Drag Expo , in which David was a fixture and allowed him to catch up with old friends from the IHRA days , as well as local track operators .
All of these events were great moments of pride for David , but as he and I would often discuss , his grandchildren , Callie and Harrison , would soon be the topic of discussion . In what would be David ’ s last trip to North Carolina , he and Louise brought Callie down to tour possible colleges in the North Carolina area . Of course , one of them was High Point University .
So it is was with great sorrow that I learned of David ’ s passing from complications due to the COVID-19 virus that complicated other health issues . The loss of a friend is always difficult , but the loss of a “ best friend ” is profound . We can only hope to meet again one day , on the other side , where I am sure I will find David in deep conversation with the likes of Bill Jenkins , Ronnie Sox , Darwin Doll , Sonny Leonard , Mike Kennedy and others . Hope to see you then , my friend . DI
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PHOTOGRAPHS BY GREG BURROW |