Earnest "Earnie" McCoy

By Jeff Zurschmeide

Earnie McCoy was a true classic. Among the last of the old-time SCCA club racers, he did all his work himself, was his own crew, and kept racing no matter how far the other guys went in expense and technology to go fast.

Earnie was a great friend as well as a great competitor, and was always ready to help out another club member on track or off. When Howard Allen's car was on fire on the front straight, one driver stopped immediately to help - that was Earnie.

Earnie passed away while having the best racing day anyone could remember,driving his trademark blue-and-gold Triumph TR-6. As he passed the turn 4 station, he gave the workers a big thumbs-up, and by the time the car reached the turn 6 station, he was gone.

We'll all remember his persistence, good humor, and his love of the sport. He was an uncommon man.

Earnie McCoy at PIR on July 4, 2003 (click to enlarge)

Photo by Wayne Flynn www.pdxsports.com