Ernie
Maynor
by Dwight
Clock
The one thing that has kept me in and around
racing my whole life is the wonderful people who participate in our
sport. And in over fifty years of attending races I have never met a
finer human being than the late Ernie Maynor.
Ernie moved to Bay Shore from his native North Carolina in
1964. As I
also lived in Bay Shore I happened, that spring, to walk past a house
and see an unfamiliar race car at the rear of the driveway. Seeing me
looking at
the car, Ernie waved me back and thus began a tremendous friendship that
lasted until his untimely passing 18 years later. Ernie had a Figure 8
car and, although he raced a modified on a few occasions, it was in the
Figure 8 class that he would be a mainstay.
Picture Courtesy of
Himes Museum
On the track Maynor was competitive from the
beginning. Over the years he won his share of races and was always
chasing the track championship. Sadly, despite being in the hunt on an
annual basis, he never was able to secure that championship. But it was
outside the car that Ernie made his biggest mark. The man had more
energy than anyone I ever knew. He worked as a mechanic 5 1/2 days a
week, bowled on Thursdays, hunted whenever he could, worked countless
hours on his race car, and still found time to help anyone who would ask
with their race cars.
He never turned anyone down. Whether it was advice on how to
set up the car, help in working on the car, or whatever, Ernie was
always the first to jump in. He loved life, lived it to the fullest, and
it showed in his infectious personality and ever present smile.
We lost Ernie Maynor in a Figure 8 accident at Islip on May
1, 1982. He was only 47 years old. And despite the fact that it is
almost 25 years since that night I, and I'm sure many others, still feel
the loss. I have to believe also that every time Roger Maynor wins the
championship he gives much of the credit to his late dad. And I know for
a fact that racing is much better off for being blessed with the
presence of Ernie Maynor.
Dwight
THE END
Source: Dwight
Clock/LongIslandJam.com
Posted:
November 21, 2006