Prayers for Ernie Schorb
 

Ernie is in the hospital following heart surgery. Ernie was the first NHRA Southeast Division Director (1959). Ernie is has a vast knowledge of NHRA history and worked closely with Wally Parks.

Re: Prayers for Ernie Schorb
 

Ernie Schorb brought organized NHRA drag racing to South Florida.

In early 1956, as president of the Ramblers Road Club, he convinced Dade County Sheriff Kelly to help him. Together, they approached the Hialeah Town Council and then the Board of Dade County Commissioners. They were seeking permission to use Ameila Earhart Field (an unused WW2 Navy airfield, then owned by the County) to host organized drag races. They were successful. I'm sure their pitch was to get the hot rodders off the street.

He then organized the 'So. Fla. Timing Assoc.' (S.F.T.A.) which was an association of the four Miami hot rod clubs. They were the Ramblers, the Cabriolets (who worked the clocks), the Road Rebels (who ran the starting line) and the Road Saints (who gave out the time slips). Car clubs were a big thing back in those days.

Ernie also published a bi-weekly newsletter (I can't remember the name of it) which had the previous drag results, class winners, pictures, club news, etc. Sort of a minature National Dragster or Drag Review. I used to be so pround when my name was in there for winning the D/S trophy with my '47 Chevy (That was the lowest stock class back then. I think for 28 lbs. and higher.). I could beat most of the Ford flatheads that came out. However, I didn't win when some rich kid used to come out with his dad's '49 Olds 98 four door. He used to eat us alive. How did he get into D/S? Anyhow, he must have been cheating (ha ha).

I went to Miami High School back then and thought it was so cool when Ernie used to pick up his girlfriend (later to become his wife), after school, in a white '53 Ford panel truck with the red, white & blue NHRA as well as the S.F.T.A. logos painted on the side. He carried the timing equipment in that truck, which was set up and then taken down each race Sunday.

Ernie did a lot for drag racing in those early years. It was even rumored that he knew Wally Parks. And yes, he did later become the first NHRA Div II Director. This was a long time prior to the Buster Couch days.

I'm praying for you Ernie. You're one of my hero's who's given me good memories going back 56 years.

Re: Prayers for Ernie Schorb
 

Ernie was a member of the 2006 East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame Inductees in Henderson, NC. He typically presents the Wally Parks Award each year at the Hall of Fame each year in October.

Re: Prayers for Ernie Schorb
 

Some good news this morning. Ernie is improving and will have a pace maker installed today and then can be removed from the external pace maker.

Re: Prayers for Ernie Schorb
 

Ernie is a treasured icon down here in the South. The father of Drag Racing in the South. Get well Ernie, pryers for you and yours! Jim

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Re: Prayers for Ernie Schorb
 

1959 was my first drag race ever at Amelia Earhart Field. I was 14 and thought Id died and went to heaven. Ernie was there then

Re: Prayers for Ernie Schorb
 

Ernie is progressing slowly but improving. Word last night, they were working to get him off of the ventilator now.