Rode with his brother,
Bud Ekins, and
Steve McQueen as part of the USA team for the 1964 International Six Day trials held in East Germany.
His brother and McQueen crashed out of the contest on their respective 500cc and 650cc Triumph bikes whilst Dave, like his brother, upon his 500cc Triumph T100SC Tiger, was able to complete the course and win a gold medal. Both Bud and Dave competed with the US team (albeit with an unavailable
Steve McQueen replaced by Ed Kretz Jr) in the ISDT the following year on the Isle of Man this time though with no success.