Sad news about another loss

[Boneman]

I see that long time central Florida racer Dave Debelius was lost over the weekend. He is certainly gone before his time; Dave should have had a many years left. Things just are not fair sometimes.

He was a skilled car owner and builder, who also had lots of years and success behind the wheel. Of course he liked to mix it up on this site as "dd38". I have missed seeing him around the last few years, and will remember him fondly.

[jimmy11owm]

Sad to hear about Dave he was a great guy and I had a lot of fun racing against him.

[Phil Jacques]

Aww man, I loved to argue with dd38 and then laugh in PM's about it lol Sorry to hear. May he rest in peace

[AB195]

Saddening, indeed. Always had sharp looking cars, and a regular at Orlando SpeedWorld. I've heard that he always let his shop-class students work on his cars; welding, metal fabrication, chassis set-up, engine rebuilding, on and on. That's pretty cool, and downright decent, to teach those young students about race cars, and local short track stock car racing.

[23ny]

Dave

Dave was a great teacher he would let the kids work on his car and take them to the race track. He was my best friend and we had some great times at the track and shop. He will be missed. He always wanted to make sure he had a car that could win and always did what he could do to win even wit out a big budget or sponsor the last few years he has not been able to go to the track and he did miss it. His last race was at his favorite track to go to which was st. Petersburg
He had a great time seeing friends and watching the cars
RIP my buddy

[bubba]

Man this post sucks, hate to hear this. I never met the guy, except on here and always liked his take, even if it wasnt what i was thinking at the time. RIP DD38

[Bobby Diehl]

Being a Teacher I know the .......

Being a Teacher I know the feeling about working with the future and developing the passion within your classroom. I have made so many great Friends in my life, but to have a student that as they go through life you can watch them grow. I always had GREAT student asst's. Watching so many continue in Motorsports that cross your path is still one of the highlights of my life. Dave Steele was so terrible to hear about from the Student Asst that came in the next year at Hillsborough SHS and David came in to Mentor him after he graduated. I was in Mayo Clinic recovering from a major operation. He called (with tears in his voice) me and told me about the crash (he was there watching his HERO race while working for a George Gorham as his Crew Chief) and the loss of a Friend. Talking with Dave many times about our careers in Motorsport Education and the Students we taught. Dave will be missed by so many. RIP my Friend.