Teacher. Coach. Builder. Racer.

Winner. Studebaker lover. That's Ted Harbit, an Honoree at the Holley NHRA
National Hot Rod Reunion, June 15-17 at National Trail Raceway near
Columbus, Ohio.

Harbit raced his "Chicken Hawk" 1951 Studebaker and won the Stock class
at the NHRA Nationals an incredible seven times in 11 tries.  A retired
teacher and basketball coach in the Frankton, Ind. school system, he has
raced continuously in cars he's built himself for more than 50 years. Ted
retired from class racing after the '72 U.S. Nationals and drove the
Studebaker occasionally until 1987 when he decided to see how fast it would
really go. With twin turbochargers and twin four barrel carbs, he's turned a
best of 10.07 at 137.8 mph.  In the Studebaker Drivers Club publication,
Turning Wheels, Harbit explained why he still uses a Studebaker engine. "My
own experience has been that it is not necessary to go to expensive
extremes to develop over 500 HP in a Studebaker V-8. . . and that the
engine is so basically sturdy that one need not fear immediate disintegration
when higher horsepowers (sic) have been developed."


Teacher. Coach. Builder. Racer.

Winner. Studebaker lover. That's Ted Harbit, an Honoree at the Holley NHRA
National Hot Rod Reunion, June 15-17 at National Trail Raceway near
Columbus, Ohio.

Harbit raced his "Chicken Hawk" 1951 Studebaker and won the Stock class
at the NHRA Nationals an incredible seven times in 11 tries.  A retired
teacher and basketball coach in the Frankton, Ind. school system, he has
raced continuously in cars he's built himself for more than 50 years. Ted
retired from class racing after the '72 U.S. Nationals and drove the
Studebaker occasionally until 1987 when he decided to see how fast it would
really go. With twin turbochargers and twin four barrel carbs, he's turned a
best of 10.07 at 137.8 mph.  In the Studebaker Drivers Club publication,
Turning Wheels, Harbit explained why he still uses a Studebaker engine. "My
own experience has been that it is not necessary to go to expensive
extremes to develop over 500 HP in a Studebaker V-8. . . and that the
engine is so basically sturdy that one need not fear immediate disintegration
when higher horsepowers (sic) have been developed."

1. How does it feel to be named an Honoree for the 5th annual NHRA
National Hot Rod Reunion? What does the Reunion mean to you?

Ted Harbit: I feel honored to be selected as an honoree, knowing there are
literally hundreds of worthy racers out there. This is something I'll treasure
the rest of my life, and I am thankful for the opportunity to be a participant
in this gala affair. 

2. In your wildest dreams, did you think after you retired, people would
honor your racing exploits decades later? 

Harbit: No, not in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine this. When I was
asked to be a participant in the Golden 50th NHRA Anniversary Drags, I was
overwhelmed and thought that would be the last recognition I would receive. 

3. What are some of your fondest and funniest memories about the good old
days?

Harbit: Two come to mind: The first year we won the Nationals in K/Stock in
1962, we took the intake, head, etc., off the car to have it checked for
legality. After waiting around for about half an hour and no one
doing anything, I went to Farmer Dismuke, the national tech director and
asked if they could start checking the Studebaker. Farmer was a little
grumpy, asking why I thought I should get special treatment!  When I told
him I had to put the car back together to drive it home, he looked surprised
and said, 'Are you serious?'  When I said I was, he hollered at his help and
said, 'We got to get to work, guys.  Believe it or not, this guy has to drive his
car home tonight.' 

The other time was about the 1967 or '68 Nationals when I was at the line,
ready to run, and the starter, I think it was Buster Couch, told me I had a
bye run. I asked why and he said the other fellow could not get his car
started. I looked back at the staging lanes and he sat there with the hood
up. The starter said his battery was dead. I asked if I could give him a jump
start as I had jumper cables in my trunk. He said I could, but didn't have to.
I backed up, raised my trunk and jumped his car and we went ahead to
race. We won and on the way back on the return road I heard all these
people cheering, giving the 'thumbs up' sign, etc. I later heard when the win
light came on about 50,000 fans cheered.  I'll always remember that.

4. Why do people enjoy the Hot Rod Reunions and vintage drag racing?

Harbit: Hot Rod Reunions are when you can see a lot of people you haven't
seen for years, plus meet new people and friends. I guess the vintage racing
helps us old guys remember what it was like and to live an enjoyable part of
our lives over again.

5. What are you doing these days to keep busy? Do you still race?

Harbit: I have always raced Studebakers and still have the '51 'Chicken
Hawk' I raced 11 years at the Nationals in stock class. I still have that car,
but have put a '63 Studebaker R 2 Avanti engine in it, added a turbocharger
and still race it in ET racing. It has run 10.07 at over 137 mph. I also have
a '63 Super Lark four-speed Studebaker and race it in Pure Stock Races and
am building a Studebaker Avanti to race that will have dual turbos, dual
carburetors on a tunnel ram intake on alcohol. So you can see what I do to
keep busy.  At 71, I hope this helps to keep me from getting too old, too
quickly.