Herman Werner Schurch (born Hermann Werner Schurch, April 7, 1903 – November 8, 1931) was an American

racing driver Auto racing (also known as car racing, motor racing, or automobile racing) is a motorsport involving the racing of automobiles for competition. Auto racing has existed since the invention of the automobile. Races of various sorts were organise ...

Biography

Schurch's family emigrated to the United States when he was a boy. He made five starts in AAA Championship Car from 1929 to 1931. He had failed to qualify for the

1928 Indianapolis 500 The 16th International 500-Mile Sweepstakes Race was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Wednesday, May 30, 1928. This was the first Indianapolis 500 presided over by new Speedway president Eddie Rickenbacker. Rain threatened to wash out th ...

but made the race in 1929. He served as a relief driver for Shorty Cantlon in the 1930 race. He also drove in the

1931 Indianapolis 500 The 19th International 500-Mile Sweepstakes Race was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Saturday, May 30, 1931. Race winner Louis Schneider, who led the final 34 laps, was accompanied by riding mechanic Jigger Johnson. The start of the ra ...

but his transmission failed after 5 laps. His best finish in AAA Championship racing came later that year at the New York State Fairgrounds Raceway where he finished sixth. Schurch excelled in Big Car racing (Sprint Car), where he won many races on the Eastern circuit (in the Northeast United States). He was killed in practice for a dirt track race at Legion Ascot Speedway in California.Jenkins, Richard
Herman Schurch
''Old Racing Cars'', Retrieved 2010-06-15 Schurch was elected to the

National Sprint Car Hall of Fame The National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum is a Hall of Fame and museum for sprint car drivers, owners, mechanics, builders, manufacturers, promoters, sanctioning officials and media members. The museum is located in Knoxville, Iowa, the ho ...

in 2010.

Motorsports career results

Indianapolis 500 results

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Schurch, Herman 1903 births 1931 deaths American racing drivers Indianapolis 500 drivers Racing drivers who died while racing Sports deaths in California National Sprint Car Hall of Fame inductees Swiss emigrants to the United States