The passing of Hank Blankenship - Page 4

Dave Turner · 01-08-2013, 10:27 PM

My first time at an IHRA event, Hank was the guy who made me feel welcome. He knew my car, having teched it many times for a previous owner. It was as if he were re-uniting with an old friend. The man was a terrific ambassador for the IHRA nation and always seemed to enjoy the Canadian races. I will really miss Hank's good natured approach to a tough job. Gone far too soon.

cambria · 01-08-2013, 10:37 PM

Shirley and hank they lit the room wow only 61 too .raiser and I on our way to Kentucky to pay respects. RIP. hank

Albert Lee · 01-08-2013, 10:44 PM

While I didn't race that much with IHRA, Hank always made me feel welcome when I did. He was a true gentleman.

Godspeed.

Al Corda

jim reynolds · 01-08-2013, 10:49 PM

UNBELIEVABLE! My favorite memory of Hank was at Jacksonville. After moving the A/mod record I went to tech to be pumped and Hank asked "now how big did you say that motor is?" I said "how accurate is your p&ger?" He didn't find that as funny as i did, anyway while he made the 1st attempt to pump it my engine blew the seal out of the checker and i caught it. Hank laughed and said " well you still have great reflexes.....pity you won't be able to use them at this race....your motor is TOO big!" I did NOT find that as funny as he did. Many good memories! RIP.

Curt Smith Jr. · 01-08-2013, 11:06 PM

Was so sorry to learn this morning that Mr. Hank passed away. Him and Dad were good friends and have some great memories.... So glad dad got to see him at the Division 9 Coastal Plains race. Prayers go out to the family.

Lambertcars · 01-08-2013, 11:13 PM

I talked with Hank last year, don't remember which race it was. He told me that he had remarried, showed me pictures of him and his new wife. He seemed very proud of his new bride and I know that he was very happy. Sure is sad to hear of Hank's passing. He was a good friend to me.
Allen Lambert

Myron Piatek · 01-08-2013, 11:50 PM

Sincere condolences to his family and friends. Always friendly, helpful and hard-working, IHRA couldn't have asked for a better representative. I will miss him at the races. RIP

Ty Kwaiser · 01-09-2013, 12:11 AM

Another from our racing family is called home. Goodbye my friend.

Kegracing · 01-09-2013, 12:40 AM

GodSpeed Hank.
Hank and Shirley were two of the people that gave IHRA the "family feeling" that it had for years...
You will be missed.
Ken Graham and family

Dave Ribeiro · 01-09-2013, 01:17 AM

RIP, Hank will be missed ... One of Real good guys in Racing ...

01-08-2013, 10:27 PM	#31
Dave Turner VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Schomberg, ON, Canada Posts: 1,216 Likes: 1,529 Liked 341 Times in 133 Posts	Re: The passing of Hank Blankenship My first time at an IHRA event, Hank was the guy who made me feel welcome. He knew my car, having teched it many times for a previous owner. It was as if he were re-uniting with an old friend. The man was a terrific ambassador for the IHRA nation and always seemed to enjoy the Canadian races. I will really miss Hank's good natured approach to a tough job. Gone far too soon. __________________ Dave Turner #1153

01-08-2013, 10:37 PM	#32
cambria Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Buffalo Posts: 235 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: The passing of Hank Blankenship Shirley and hank they lit the room wow only 61 too .raiser and I on our way to Kentucky to pay respects. RIP. hank __________________ BS/A,A/FIA 00 Camaro- CS/A, B/FIA 94 Camaro .2012 copo 4.0

01-08-2013, 10:44 PM	#33
Albert Lee Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 254 Likes: 102 Liked 271 Times in 49 Posts	Re: The passing of Hank Blankenship While I didn't race that much with IHRA, Hank always made me feel welcome when I did. He was a true gentleman. Godspeed. Al Corda

01-08-2013, 10:49 PM	#34
jim reynolds Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 126 Likes: 127 Liked 15 Times in 9 Posts	Re: The passing of Hank Blankenship UNBELIEVABLE! My favorite memory of Hank was at Jacksonville. After moving the A/mod record I went to tech to be pumped and Hank asked "now how big did you say that motor is?" I said "how accurate is your p&ger?" He didn't find that as funny as i did, anyway while he made the 1st attempt to pump it my engine blew the seal out of the checker and i caught it. Hank laughed and said " well you still have great reflexes.....pity you won't be able to use them at this race....your motor is TOO big!" I did NOT find that as funny as he did. Many good memories! RIP.

01-08-2013, 11:06 PM	#35
Curt Smith Jr. Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 86 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: The passing of Hank Blankenship Was so sorry to learn this morning that Mr. Hank passed away. Him and Dad were good friends and have some great memories.... So glad dad got to see him at the Division 9 Coastal Plains race. Prayers go out to the family. __________________ Curt Smith Jr. 3 GENERATIONS www.curtissmithracing.com

01-08-2013, 11:13 PM	#36
Lambertcars Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Johns Island SC Posts: 114 Likes: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: The passing of Hank Blankenship I talked with Hank last year, don't remember which race it was. He told me that he had remarried, showed me pictures of him and his new wife. He seemed very proud of his new bride and I know that he was very happy. Sure is sad to hear of Hank's passing. He was a good friend to me. Allen Lambert

01-08-2013, 11:50 PM	#37
Myron Piatek VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Florida Posts: 1,539 Likes: 34 Liked 135 Times in 49 Posts	Re: The passing of Hank Blankenship Sincere condolences to his family and friends. Always friendly, helpful and hard-working, IHRA couldn't have asked for a better representative. I will miss him at the races. RIP

01-09-2013, 12:11 AM	#38
Ty Kwaiser Junior Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Oakland, MI Posts: 71 Likes: 2 Liked 24 Times in 9 Posts	Re: The passing of Hank Blankenship Another from our racing family is called home. Goodbye my friend.

01-09-2013, 12:40 AM	#39
Kegracing Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Red Oak, TX Posts: 441 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: The passing of Hank Blankenship GodSpeed Hank. Hank and Shirley were two of the people that gave IHRA the "family feeling" that it had for years... You will be missed. Ken Graham and family

01-09-2013, 01:17 AM	#40
Dave Ribeiro VIP Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Williamsburg, Va.---USA Posts: 1,827 Likes: 1,612 Liked 56 Times in 27 Posts	Re: The passing of Hank Blankenship RIP, Hank will be missed ... One of Real good guys in Racing ... __________________ Dave Ribeiro 1033 STK