Bernie Schacker, a Long Island, NY native, hot rodder, drag racer, car builder and innovator passed away on 5/27/2020.
Awards: 2010 East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame and Special Life Time Achievements Award for his pioneering the rear engine dragster and his dedication to the sport of drag racing.
Here is a video with photos of Bernie, his dragsters and his cars: Bernie Schacker On What Drives Racers And Drag Racing Comradery
Comments from Facebook and the Internet:
Boyd Denton:
This is a pretty cool and sharp one...
A short wheel based, streamliner TAD...
Once again Bernie is/was A Innovator, A Legend and A Friend...
Plus his welds are artwork...
- Bernie was an innovator. His welds were artwork.
- Top Alcohol Dragster experiment, Bernie Schacker built himself with partner Rod Abrams.
- He built race cars into his 80's.
- It has been confirmed by the NHRA, that Bernie Schacker from Long Island, N.Y., competing in Top Fuel, indeed, did make the FIRST six-second clocking in a REAR-ENGINE dragster in mid-1970. He built it in his home garage & had been campaigning WELL BEFORE Don Garlits’ much-publicized accident with his front-engine car. Schacker’s car also was outfitted with a rear wing from the outset, which also was a first.
http://www.draglist.com/stories/SOD%20Sep%202000/SOD-091200.htm
https://www.nhra.com/news/2015/early-rear-engine-iron
Note from John Fiore about Bernie: I think it was July 12 or 13, 1970 at New York National Speedway, Bernie had his rear-engine car there and a guy from a magazine was there and he was asking Bernie about the car. He said to Bernie, "how long is the car" and I think Bernie said, "242 inches" and the guy said, "why 242 inches" and Bernie replied, "thats how long my garage is". I almost pissed my pants laughing.
Clips of our interview with Bernie Schacker on March 13, 2011:
01 - LaSalle Transmission Cost Bernie Schacker a Race (1959 Nationals in Detroit)
02 - Ray, Chris and Bernie Schacker - Rat Rods Today Were Hot Rods Then
03 - Ray Guarino - Bernie Schacker, what led you from old Hot Rods to Drag Cars
04a - Ray Guarino, Bernie Schacker and Chris Switzer - Why people race
04b - Ray Guarino, Bernie Schacker, Chris Switzer - It is all about the edge, Richie Zul and secrets
05 - Chris Switzer, Bernie Schacker and Ray Guarino - What was your best year
06 - Ray Guarino, Bernie Schacker and Chris Switzer - First Mid Engine Dragster
07 - Chris Switzer, Bernie Schacker, Ray Guarino - Roosevelt Raceway 1-8 Mile Drag Strip
08 - George Snizek Calls in, Roosevelt Raceway, Angelo Gianinni
09 - George Snizek - Bernie's Delta V Team, Pacers, Billy Lynch's Shop, Tasmanian Devil II
10 - Bernie Shacker's Delta V Team Roadster, On Cover of 59 or 60 Hot Rod Magazine
13 - Ray Guarino - Bernie Flying to Races
14 - Scott Snizek - Bernie inducted into East Coast Drag Time Hall of Fame in NC
15 - Chris Switzer - How do you get inducted in the Hall of Fame
16 - Chris Switzer and Ray Guarino - Bernie, what are you doing now and getting old
17 - Bernie Schacker - I have been blessed...
Here is our full interview with Bernie Schacker on March 13, 2011 MotorMouth Radio Interview with Bernie Schacker