Meet David Beard: The Ultimate Car Enthusiast and Driver

Key Takeaways

• David Beard is a skilled mechanic and car enthusiast with a strong competitive spirit.
• He has tested over 1,000 vehicles in his 10 years at Car and Driver.
• Beard is an avid snowmobiler and owns a Ski-Doo MXZ XRS with 170 horsepower.
• He is currently restoring a 1982 Honda MB5 motorcycle.
• Beard is a key driver for Car and Driver’s annual Lightning Lap event.

What Makes David Beard a Unique Car Enthusiast?

In my experience, it’s rare to find someone with a natural inclination to take things apart and put them back together as good or better than they originally were. David Beard is one such individual, and his passion for cars and mechanics has led him to become a key driver for Car and Driver’s annual Lightning Lap event.

Beard’s mechanical interests and competitive spirit were evident from a young age, and he was exposed to working on all manner of vehicles through his father, a car dealership technician.

As a teenager, Beard was involved in BMX racing and later moved on to motocross competition, which helped him develop the car-control and racetrack skills needed to test cars for Car and Driver.

David Beard’s Experience with Car and Driver

Beard has been with Car and Driver for 10 years and has tested over 1,000 vehicles during his tenure. His experience and skills make him an ideal driver for the annual Lightning Lap event.

In addition to his work with Car and Driver, Beard is also an avid snowmobiler and owns a Ski-Doo MXZ XRS with 170 horsepower. He regularly rides 400 miles in a weekend and has a need for speed, as evident from his comment about his snowmobile’s top speed of 109 mph.

David Beard’s Current Projects

Beard is currently restoring a 1982 Honda MB5 motorcycle, a tiny bike that was sold in the US for only one year. He plans to make it go faster, which is no surprise given his competitive spirit.

Beard’s mechanical interests also extend to his work with 3D printing, which has resulted in innovative creations such as a taco tray for Car and Driver’s long-term 2024 Ford Maverick pickup.

What’s Next for David Beard?

As a key driver for Car and Driver’s annual Lightning Lap event, Beard will continue to test and evaluate cars, pushing them to their limits on the track.

With his passion for cars and mechanics, Beard is sure to remain a prominent figure in the automotive world, and his projects and adventures will be eagerly followed by car enthusiasts everywhere.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is David Beard’s background in cars and mechanics?

A: David Beard is the son of a car dealership technician and has been exposed to working on all manner of vehicles from a young age. He has also been involved in BMX racing and motocross competition, which helped him develop the car-control and racetrack skills needed to test cars for Car and Driver.

What is David Beard’s role at Car and Driver?

A: David Beard is a key driver for Car and Driver’s annual Lightning Lap event and has tested over 1,000 vehicles during his 10-year tenure with the company.

What is David Beard’s current project?

A: David Beard is currently restoring a 1982 Honda MB5 motorcycle, a tiny bike that was sold in the US for only one year. He plans to make it go faster.