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COHVCO Newsletter

Dave Mungenast - As I know him

June, 2006

The Colorado 500 has chosen to share some stories of interest. What better rider, racer, family man, humanitarian, historian and symbol of the American Motorcyclist is other than Dave Mungenast.

Some 24 years ago when Dave came to the Colorado 500, I had recently retired as a race car driver and began another career as an official. The Colorado 500 was about 5 years old then and I was still riding the event.

Dave and I more or less became friends on the trails that year. There were some 150 riders then and it was easy to mix with other groups. Al Unser and I rode together from the very beginning of the Colorado 500 when there were only 9 of us. We raced side by side on some 20 race tracks a year in champ Cars and never had an incident. When we rode the Colorado 500 together, we had the same chemistry, it was special.

Dave Mungenast (left), Wally Dallenbach (right)

One day we were riding out of Telluride toward Ouray climbing up Imogene Pass when this rider in a grungy riding jacket and pants, slips up along with Al and I and joins the pace. He was smooth on the pegs when he needed to be, didn't slam the puddles when he could have, and it didn't take us long to figure out this guy could bury us with his talent and it would have been a small feather in his cap, to smoke off two Indy Car Drivers in one twist of the right hand. Dave and I developed a relationship and friendship that has grown and lasted some 24 years. We have a lot in common, it's even scary at times to compare. Example, my first motorcycle was a 37 Indian chief at age 15; Dave's first motorcycle was a 46 Indian chief at age 16.

The good news is your going to read all about Dave and his wonderful family in a soon to be released book that's well written by Ed Youngblood.

The many years that Dave and his sons Dave Jr., Ray, and Kurt have been on the Colorado 500, they have set the example for the spirit and camaraderie the ride stands for. We are most fortunate that we have the Mungenast Family as part of the Colorado 500 family.

5th annual Dirt Bike Ride - 1980.
From top left: Al Unser, Jr., Wally Dallenbach, Sr., Al Unser Sr., Johnny Unser,
Stan Barrett, Dave Mungenast

The Motorcycle Industry is fortunate to have had a man like Dave and his family. His contributions and leadership have raised the bar in our sport.

-- Wally Dallenbach