Ernie Hashim
Among many other accomplishments, Ernie Hashim is personally responsible for bringing GMC superchargers to drag racing. The pivotal point in Hashim’s career was 1952, when he adapted a 4-71 GMC blower to his Flathead powered dragster and ran 122 mph right off the end of Saugus dragstrip, and into a telephone pole. Ernie never drove again, but continued as a car owner, engine builder, and speed shop operator. In 1955, he hand-built a complete induction system to mount a blower to the front of his Chrysler Hemi, creating the first successful supercharged dragster. With Bill Replogle driving, it set a world record of 153.91 mph at Lions, and subsequently became the first blown Chrysler combination to surpass 155 mph. Hashem effectively invented the wheelie bar, as well as, when he added a small fifth wheel to his top fueler in 1959. Ernie was active in Bakersfield California as the Western distributor. of M&H Racemasters for fellow Hall of Fame inductee Marvin Rifchin.