Ed Beyer, a long time drag racer who enjoyed considerable success in the sportsman ranks of the old AHRA Grand American Series, passed away late last week of natural causes.  He was 81.  More important than his victories or his mentoring of younger drivers, Beyer was one of the original Hurst Shifty Doctors, and as such spent many years making the full NHRA series tour on behalf of the Pennsylvania-based aftermarket company.  In truth, the work he did with Hurst and other aftermarket firms ultimately eclipsed his own successes on the track, but he never minded that, for his legions of friends knew him more as someone they could turn to when things weren’t going well then they did as a fellow racer.

Fellow racer?  Beyer was still running his Ford-powered Super Comp dragster until just five years ago, when he finally decided to hang up his helmet.  Until his retirement Beyer was the unofficial “leader” among his sportsman racing buddies.  When it came to a potential problem, Beyer was the one the others turned to because of his maturity.  More than just a calming influence, Beyer wasn’t above taking a younger driver to task who might question why he was racing well into his 70s.  “Experience counts,” he’d often tell the doubters.

Ed Beyer, a long time drag racer who enjoyed considerable success in the sportsman ranks of the old AHRA Grand American Series, passed away late last week of natural causes.  He was 81.  More important than his victories or his mentoring of younger drivers, Beyer was one of the original Hurst Shifty Doctors, and as such spent many years making the full NHRA series tour on behalf of the Pennsylvania-based aftermarket company.  In truth, the work he did with Hurst and other aftermarket firms ultimately eclipsed his own successes on the track, but he never minded that, for his legions of friends knew him more as someone they could turn to when things weren’t going well then they did as a fellow racer.

Fellow racer?  Beyer was still running his Ford-powered Super Comp dragster until just five years ago, when he finally decided to hang up his helmet.  Until his retirement Beyer was the unofficial “leader” among his sportsman racing buddies.  When it came to a potential problem, Beyer was the one the others turned to because of his maturity.  More than just a calming influence, Beyer wasn’t above taking a younger driver to task who might question why he was racing well into his 70s.  “Experience counts,” he’d often tell the doubters.

Away from the track Beyer was devoted to his six children, five grandchildren and seven great grandchildren, but he also had a lot of affection for his four-hooved friends.  Beyer’s involvement with horses resulted in his being a past Reserve World Champion in the American Paint Horse Association or, as he sometimes affectionately referred to them, “quarter horses with sports!”

At a time when many people are seen as almost one dimensional, Ed Beyer broke the mold by becoming more than “just” a Hurst Shifty Doctor, or “just” a racer.  He was a man in every sense of the word, a man who could readily see beyond the finish line, knowing that the life he’d lead after he quit racing would and could be just as fulfilling as had his life been as a drag racer.  But nothing topped the thrills he enjoyed from his family.

ARRANGEMENTS:  A viewing will take place between 6-8 PM Wednesday, October 5th at Trostel, Chapman, Dunbar & Fraley Funeral Home in New Carlisle, Ohio.  Following his wishes, Beyer’s remains will be cremated.