Dave began racing a Subaru Impreza in 2001, competing in ice racing, auto-cross and rally-cross. Watching and learning from the fast guys that first season, he quickly realized the key to making a car faster is to focus on improving the driver. The Subaru was sold to make room for two Mazdas, a RWD Miata for tarmac and an AWD 323 GTX for gravel. Competing in auto-cross events with the Miata over the next three years, Dave focused on learning the fundamentals. He finished second in class each year and consistently moved up in the overall standings. In 2004 and 2005 he competed in several SCCA Club Trials. Dave has also attended many open-track days with local car clubs, and recently purchased a Rotax RM1 Kart to further develop his road racing skills. The 323 GTX was entered in a handful of rally-cross events in 2003, posting several top 3 finishes.

In 2004 the car was stripped and built to SCCA Open Class specifications. That year Dave demolished local competition to claim his first rally-cross championship, setting fastest time of the day in nearly every event he entered. By the end of the 2004 season, Dave decided to prepare the car for use in the Colorado Hill Climb Association (CHCA) series, adding the necessary safety equipment. His wife Allison was along for the ride – literally – calling out the notes from the navigator’s seat all season. Despite running an underpowered 17 year old car, the Kern’s were able to post some respectable finishes, and ended up receiving the accolade of 2005 rookie of the year. After the 2005 season, the car underwent extensive modifications in the quest for more power, and much of the 2006 season was missed due to engine development.

Dave and Allison will compete in the CHCA series again in 2007 with the 323 GTX and are anxious to improve on their 3rd place finish in 2005. Striving to move up the ranks and expand their racing efforts, they have entered the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC) where they will be competing in the Time Attack class. With several years of competition experience now under his belt, Dave is looking for sponsors to assist with building a top notch race car, a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, capable of outright class wins.