Sun, 14 Nov 1999, 04:15 PM Tripp Shumake Killed in Accident

By Ed Dykes Funny Car Ace Struck by Hit & Run Driver

POMONA, Calif. -- Retired NHRA Funny Car driver Tripp Shumake, 51, died from injuries received in a motorcycle accident Saturday afternoon near his Chandler, Ariz. home. Shumake was riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle when he was struck by a hit-and-run driver who was driving on the wrong side of the road.

According to The Arizona Republic, authorities are looking for a light blue or royal blue '60s to '70s vehicle, possibly a Ford Falcon, with front damage, including a broken windshield.

The crash occurred about 12:20 p.m. on the Squaw Peak Parkway when the automobile driver, who had been northbound just south of Northern Avenue, crossed the median for some unknown reason, according to Officer Andy Vidaure, a spokesman for the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

The vehicle continued in a southbound emergency lane that runs along the median, then made a U-turn in front of the motorcycle in a reckless attempt to head south, Vidaure said. Shumake reportedly skidded along the freeway for about 100 feet after laying down his motorcycle to avoid a collision.

Shumake earned fame as the driver of the Johnny Loper's "Loper's Performance" Funny Car, in which he became member of the Cragar Five-Second Club. He appeared in three Funny Car finals and won two, the 1981 Southern Nationals in Atlanta and the 1982 Winston Finals here in Pomona.

Since retiring from drag racing, Shumake had driven sprint cars in and around Phoenix and had worked as a color commentator during NHRA national events contested at Firebird Int'l Raceway.