Former champion Davis killed in crash

[rebelracewriter]

IHRA: Former champion Davis killed in crash

Monday, 11 April 2016

 

Ronnie "The King" Davis, 66, a three-time IHRA world champion and the reigning PDRA champion in the Top Sportsman class, died Sunday from injuries he suffered a day earlier when his 1963 Corvette crashed during qualifying at Rockingham Dragway.

Davis had finished his final qualifying run in 4.130 seconds at 178.19mph for the third annual PDRA Spring Nationals when his car turned left and shot violently back across the track in front of the Chevrolet Camaro of rival Mark Malcuit, cleared the right side guardwall and barrel-rolled.

Davis, a resident of Suwanee, Georgia, was treated by medical personnel at the track before being transported to Moore County Regional Hospital in Pinehurst, North Carolina, and later to UNC Medical Center in Chapel Hill.

In addition to a storied racing career that spanned more than a quarter-century, Davis was owner of Davis Golf Carts in Suwanee. His business was the official pit vehicle provider to the PDRA, and many of his racing rivals were also customers.

Early in his career, Davis was almost unbeatable at Atlanta Speed Shop Dragway, where he dominated a competition called "King of the Hill." That gave him his "Ronnie The King" nickname long before he ever won a national event or a world championship.

Davis is survived by daughters Michelle Seger and Bridgett Medina of Texas, as well as his longtime companion Micki Dearing of Suwanee.