In the Motorsports and Automotive Industries, your image is just as important as your reputation. In many instances, they go hand in hand. A first-class design has a lot to do with establishing a first-class image. For over 15 years, Dave Labs has been producing some of the hottest creations on the speed scene in America. His work has appeared on National Television, in Newspapers, Magazines, Books, and at Major Events. Dave's work has even been praised by some very well known, legendary artists in the Racing world. His eye-catching artwork ranges from Race Cars & Transporters to Team Uniforms & Firesuits, to Hot Rods & Customs. He also specializes in logo design.

Dave has done work for some of the biggest names in the Motorsports and Automotive Industries and his clients have always been delighted with his talent and ability.  He has even done some things for a few well-known's in the Music & Entertainment world.

Over the years, Dave has developed a talent for, as he puts it, "putting things where they should be" in a design.  There are many different ways to approach each project as Design types vary depending on what the customer is trying to archive.  There are different appearance goals for different applications.  For example, if the optimum exposure goal is for every day, on the street use - that design would differ from something that would need to stand out on Television.  This creative ability is a skill that can only be attained through many years of experience.  While several of his competitors have yet to master this talent, Dave has been demonstrating his expertise for years.  

Another area in which Dave is beginning to develop quite a reputation is in Fine Art.  The obvious subject of choice is mostly Automotive.  Over the past few years, his paintings have raised substantial amounts of money at the D.R.A.W. (Drag Racing Association of Women) Charity Auctions which benefit injured Racers and their families.  Several top Racers and Motorsports Legends also have some of Dave's paintings in their personal collections. Paintings and Fine Art are great ways to commemorate a special occasion or achievement.

Throughout his career, Dave has gained valuable experience in working with Drivers, Sponsors, Team Owners & Managers, Marketing Firms and Car Builders to generate designs that all parties involved are excited about.  He strives to come up with the most original and innovative ideas for his creations.  In Racing, allowing a potential sponsor to visualize what you can do for them can greatly increase their interest in your program.  If you are restoring an old Hot Rod or are building something totally new, the vehicle can be conceived before striking the first arc with the welder.  Dave's design services can cater to the needs of  Professional Race Teams and are yet affordable enough for the weekend hobbiest Racer.  If you want your image to be more than just seen, you need to give Dave a call.  

RACING BACKGROUND

Aside from his Art and Design work, Dave has an extensive Racing background.  Racing has pretty much been a family tradition.  In the 1960's Dave's Dad competed at several Drag Strips in Wisconsin, Illinois and New Jersey. In the 70's, Dave's Mom and Dad worked with Michigan SCCA (Sports Car Club of America) Road Race ace Dave Burrows. They won several races and set track records at Road America, Gratten (MI), and Indianapolis Raceway Park. In 1975, they won the SCCA Central Divsion Championship (in F Production) and finished 4th in the nation at the SCCA National Runoffs at Road Atlanta.  An interesting side note, during their Sports Car Racing days, Dave's Mom and Dad had some occasional encounters with the great Actor / Racer Paul Newman.  Newman was racing at some of the same events they were competing at.  The Burrows / Labs team raced a few more seasons but that eventually came to an end when Burrows' business required more of his attention.

In the early 80's, Dave's Dad got back into Drag Racing competing locally in a 1959 Corvette.  As a youngster, Dave had various duties he had to perform on the car.  In the mid-80's, Dave's Dad hung up his helmet and had a variety of other drivers in the seat.  Of all the people that drove the Corvette, Sportsman Drag Racing standout Jon Steldt clearly did the best in it.  Steldt won a few races and he made the cars' quickest pass - 10.01 seconds.

In 1987, Dave began his driving career.  He raced in the Racine (WI) Area Soap Box Derby.  He won the Rookie of the Year title.  The car that Dave drove is on display for the world to see at "Big Daddy" Don Garlits' Museum of Drag Racing in Ocala, Florida.  The car has been in the Museum since 1988.

1989 brought a change of pace.  Dave decided to give Kart Racing a try.  Over the winter, Dave bought a well used, Kart and all the equipment needed to Race it.   After a lot of practicing and testing, things weren't going very well.  By mid-year, Dave decided to go to a Kart Racing School in Michigan.  During a "follow the leader's line", on-track session, Dave had a nasty crash, ultimately flipping the Kart.  Dave rode out the crash suffering some bumps and bruises, and a fairly significant knee injury - that still effects him to this day.  The cause of the accident was later determined to be the rear wheel track was too narrow.  Basically, the rear wheels needed to be moved further apart on the axle.  One would think that a Kart Racing School would have suggested such adjustment, but that was not the case.  This spelled the end of the Kart Racing days.  

In 1993, Dave got his first taste of Professional Racing when he became a crew member for famed ASA (American Speed Association) team "Baker Motorsports".  While with the Baker team, he got to work with drivers: Steve Holzhausen, Tony Raines, and Steve Carlson.

In 1995, Dave got to visit the Winner's Circle for the first time in big time racing.  The team (with Tony Raines driving) won the ASA Mello Yello 300 on the road coarse at Heartland Park Topeka - beating NASCAR Champion Terry Labonte.

The year 1996 was by far one of Dave's most memorable as the Baker Motorsports team (with Tony Raines driving) won the ASA / AC Delco Challenge Series National Championship title.  The following year, Tony Raines went to NASCAR and Steve Carlson took over the driver's seat at Baker Motorsports.  1997 marked the final season for the Baker Team as well as the last year Dave worked as an over-the-wall crew person.   During his Stock Car career Dave also worked with drivers Butch Miller, Randy Porter, Jim Bown, Mark Dismore Jr., David Stremme and Jimmie Johnson.

After the Stock Car life, it was now time to go back to Drag Racing.  Dave went to Roy Hill's Drag Racing School and earned his NHRA Competition License.  Along with Roy, Dave also worked with former IHRA Pro Stock Driver Hank Hill and current NHRA Pro Stock Crew Chief Tommy Utt.

In 1998, Dave began racing the 1959 Corvette that his Dad used to race.  In the Fall of '98, Dave got his first taste of excitement behind the wheel.  On a test run at Great Lakes Dragaway (Union Grove, WI), the car's engine exploded violently blowing out the entire left side of the engine block - along with most of the connecting rods.  A piece of shrapnel hit a brake line and ripped it off. Keep in mind that the engine exploded at about the 800 ft. mark and the car coasted through the Quarter-Mile at 120 MPH.  Dave had no brakes and no parachute and he was running out of shut-down area.  Even though the car ran off the end of the Drag Strip and jumped the sand trap, he amazingly got it stopped without hitting a thing.

In 2000,  Dave debuted the ultra popular, Mike Spitzer built, "Secret Agent" 1932 Bantam Altered.  Dave said it was the nicest Racecar he has ever driven.  His best run down the Quarter-Mile was 8.72 seconds at 151 MPH.  Aside from his driving,  Dave also has some Nitro Drag Racing experience.  He was a part owner of a Top Fuel Dragster from 2001 to 2004.

By mid-2009, attention to business as well as various other commitments, left very little time for Dave to pursue his Drag Racing career.  The lack of time coupled with the ever increasing demands to compete at the NHRA level, Dave decided it was time to hang up his firesuit.  "I'm greatful for all of the wonderful people and sponsors that have supported me and my Race Team." Dave says.  "I have had a lot of fun Drag Racing and I feel fortunate to have made many meaningful friendships over the years."

Dave now spends his limited free time with his family & friends and he enjoys cruising around in his `64 Chevy Impala.