JPU Racing to honour fallen friend Dave Bryant

7:12 AM Sat 24 Apr 2010 GMT

When Dave Bryant died tragically in a boat race in Australia on April 4th, Arizona lost a tremendous racer, a local business pillar and a man who was beloved in the racing community.

'We want to honour the Bryant family, Dave and his wife Leanna.' said Scott Rueschenberg.

Rueschenberg of Just Past U Racing will change his number from No. 25 to Bryant's No. 91 for two races, beginning with this Saturday's USLMA race at Tucson Raceway Park. Rueschenberg continued: 'Dave was a friend, a colleague and a fallen racer.'

Bryant's brother, Mike, will be with the JPU Racing crew for the Tucson race. Mike Bryant formerly raced Southwest Dirt Late Models.

'I'm excited to have Mike be a part of things,' Rueschenberg said. 'Mike and I are good friends, family friends. I connected with Mike back in the old Southwest Tour days. We actually bought our first car together. We'll be together again now, which will be nice.'

Dave Bryant was among the top boat racers in the world, winning multiple national titles in the U.S. Super Stock Racing Association Series, in addition to championships in various flat bottom series. He was the 2007 American Boat Racing Association unlimited hydroplane rookie of the year.

Bryant was killed in an accident in the Taree Aquatic Power Boat Club's Easter Classic on the Manning River in South Wales state in Australia on April 4th. He was 44 years old.

'He raced boats for over 10 years,' Mike Bryant said. 'He drove several different K boats, but had most of his success in Super Stock racing with his boat, Pour Investment.'

A Mesa resident, Dave Bryant operated Arizona Aircraft Interior Design, which is considered one of the finest aircraft restoration companies in the United States, achieving a number four ranking in the industry.

'Dave was one of the best guys you could ever meet,' Rueschenberg said.

The number switch for Rueschenberg will take effect for the United States Late Model Association 101 Lap Super Late Model Spectacular at Tucson Raceway Park this Saturday and for the SPEARS SRL Southwest Tour Series Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on May 8th.

JPU Racing driver Ron Norman will race on Saturday as well. Cody Cambensy will drive a third car for the team.

by Greg Salvatore

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JPU Racing to honour fallen friend Dave Bryant

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