DAVE MITCHELL PASSES ON JANUARY 1

One of the originals in diesel truck pulling

Word has been received that Dave Mitchell of Thornville, Ohio died on New Years Day.  He was just 52 years of age.  Dave was the owner (along with his wife, Loretta) of Enterprise Engine Performance of Thornville, Ohio.  He and his team at EEP were instrumental in the formative years of the sport in bringing high-powered and very competitive diesel powered pulling trucks to the track.  In the earliest stages, these trucks made exhibition passes for very little money just to pave the way for the emergence of the Diesel Truck classes in Ohio and the surrounding states.  Eventually when diesel truck pulling competitions started, the Mitchells attended every pull that they could in order to promote the emerging sport.

Dave’s Dodge puller was a ‘to be feared’ machine when it appeared at pulls in the tri-state area.  The famous American Flag paint scheme set it apart from all others and allowed Dave to promote diesel truck pulling where ever he participated.  For many years Dave was very willing to run exhibition hooks due to the fact that there were no modified diesel classes available.

When USA-EAST first began operating diesel trucks in competition we relied on Dave Mitchell to help us prepare our rules and to assist with the tech inspection of diesel pulling trucks on our regional circuit.

David Mitchell and his family were very involved with their church and school and for many years promoted a special benefit pulling event in New Lexington, Ohio for this purpose.  Dave also had a very strong love for his country as evidenced by his truck’s paint scheme and the fact that he and Loretta have a son who is a career military man.

Dave and EEP have been sponsors of Full Pull Productions and USA-EAST Sled Pulling for the past six years.

Our sincere sympathy along with our prayers go out to Loretta Mitchell and her family and to the extended family that makes up Enterprise Engine Performance.