MDIR Sorry to Report the Passing of Dave Bishop
 

January 14th, 2021

   Story courtesy of:  MDIR

MDIR is sorry to report the passing of our friend Dave Bishop of Competition Photos. Dave was a mainstay of drag racing photography on the East Coast, covering events from New England to the Carolinas from his base in Easton, Maryland. He had been involved in drag racing since 1963. Dave not only covered the races, but he also participated as well with a Pontiac Firehawk in NHRA B/Stock Eliminator. Dave was not just a shutterbug who dabbled in his subject; he was very competitive, holding NHRA records in A/FI, B/FI, and C/Stock. In addition to the cars he drove and owned, Dave was partners with other racers in Stock, Super Gas, and Super Comp machines.

Dave founded, sponsored, and directed the Competition Photos Super Comp Circuit for seven years, and he was published in over 60 books or magazines as a writer or photographer. For nine years, Dave was the official NHRA Division 1 photographer and contributor to National Dragster. More recently, Dave owned and published East Coast Drag News, the largest All Sportsman magazine in the East. He also was a proud member of the East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame in Henderson, NC. Closer to home, Dave was an esteemed member of the MDIR Hall of Fame selection committee, helping to vote on all the inductees selected as MDIR Legends from 2010 to 2017. The entire MDIR staff sends our deep condolences to Dave’s family and thousands of friends.

 

MDIR GUIDELINES:

• Events will be open to participants, their family and crew only, with a maximum of 10 people total (including driver) on any race team.

• No spectators will be permitted. Crew and family must enter with the participant or leave names at the gate for a late-arriving family or crew member.

• All race trailers, both open and enclosed, must be parked in every-other 12’ pit space. That way, a trailer is taking up one 12’ space and there is an empty 12’ space for race vehicle, family and crew beside it. No trailers can be parked side-by-side. This will help ensure social distancing.

• All additional vehicles that come into the pits must park in front of the race car in your pit area or in the Pitside parking lot… NO EXCEPTIONS.

• All staff and participants will be wearing masks in any indoor structures, restrooms, tower, etc. and outdoors anywhere proper social distancing is not achievable. Masks will not be required outdoors with proper social distancing, but they are recommended.

• Hand washing/sanitizing must be done on a regular basis.

• The tower will have restricted access and will be limited to essential staff only.

• The crews will be limited on the starting line and front of the staging lanes, with social distancing extremely enforced. Our security staff and starting line staff will closely monitor this area to prevent unauthorized gathering.

• When not racing, racers are to abide by social distancing requirements. Racers and crew members will be required to stay within their own pit areas when not racing.

• Each group must have adequate PPE for each crew member and must wear masks when required. All groups will be required to acquire their own PPE and bring it with them to the track.

• Our restrooms are equipped with hands free fixtures. Restrooms will be cleaned, stocked and sanitized throughout the day or evening. All Pitside portlets will be moved and taken out of service.

• Concessions will be open, and lines will be marked for proper social distancing. Concession stand will follow all guidelines in place for local food service businesses. We will be open with a limited menu of food items that must be consumed within your pit area or in the grandstands with proper social distancing but not in front of our concession area.