Marvin Rifchin, founder of M&H Tires and a man whom Don Prudhomme described as the Godfather of drag racing slicks, died June 3. He was 97. Rifchin got into racing after World War II as the owner of midget cars and later became involved with stock cars. Frustrated with the difficulty in getting good racing tires, he formed M&H Tires. In***ially, Rifchin was better known for producing circle-track slicks, but after legendary Top Fuel racer "Big Daddy" Don Garlits tried a set of Rifchin's tires at a race in South Carolina and won Top Eliminator, the die was cast. I knew about this man [Rifchin] who was into stock car races, said Garlits before Rifchin's 2003 induction into the SEMA Hall of Fame in 2003. He said that I needed a tire thats not recapped. Marv had these tires that had the same mold but softer rubber. They were narrow, about 6 1/2 inches wide, but he said that wouldnt matter. I didnt know that much about tires back then and listened to what he had to say. Soon after, M&H entered the business of manufacturing tires for drag racing and was a**** the first to manufacturer tires specifically for the sport. We made tires for all types of race cars, said Rifchin, but my primary interest was in drag racing. That was the most fascinating part of my life. That became my primary interest because we had a lot of fun doing it. When Goodyear entered the drag racing tire market in 1964 Rifchin found the compe***ion stimulating and a lot of fun, and the company continued to thrive. I think the greatest accomplishment that any of us could have were the tire wars that we went though with Goodyear, said Rifchin.The compe***ion lead to us being instrumental in securing some of the most fantastic advances that have taken place in mechanical and scientific business. Rifchin's generosity and support was known to all who met him, even if you ran the compe***ion's tires. Said former Top Fuel and Funny Car racer Jim Nicoll, "I can't think of any one man that helped me more than Marv. I can't count the times I was running his tires and Goodyear or Firestone had a tire working better that weekend then look up and here came Marv rolling a set of competing tires. That's just the way he was. What a great man." Rifchin himself often admitted , In the early days, everybody was so broke, Id have to give em a tire every now and then to keep em going. You know, I worked with a lot of fellows in racing, and I never found a bad
I think most racers used the M&H at some point and I had the pleasure of meeting Marvin early 60 if memory serves me. he did every thing possible to develop the best safest tire possible. I really hate to see so many Icons of racing leave us. RIP Marv
The legends are leaving us at an alarming rate, its a good thing theres something like the HAMB to remember people like this.
This is sad news...but we have had so much this year. I got to know Marv personally when I became a dealer for his street legal tires about 25 years ago. That was another innovative first for him. About 15 years ago he was inducted into the Super Stock Magazine Hall Of Fame, of which I was co-founder, and came down from M*** to be honored. I believe it was the first of many halls of fame he would enter. He was very appreciative.....and VERY appreciated by the legendary racers who were there, many who had not seen him in 20 years. It was heart warming. We even had talks about remaking, not reproducing, ribbed sidewall slicks for nostalgia purposes. He still had all the original molds but it never materialized. He is truly one of motorsports greatest individuals and also one of the nicest. In my 45 years in drag racing I have never heard one negative comment about him. My condolences to his family.
my grandparents were hooked up with marv for 20 years during their top fuel days...always had awesome things to say...atleast he had a long life full of innovations....rest in power....
Sad to hear this, I never knew him, but he revolutionized drag racing...before Marv we had recaps, which worked ok until we went to blown fuel, around the first Smoker's meet in '59...Marv's M&Hs were safer and had much more bite.....he will be missed.
Truely a wonderful soul. I met Marv at a very early age as he and Ernie Hashim spent many hours testing componds of tires together. I can't say enough about what they both brought to the 1/4 mile world, on and off the track. RIP my friend.
The p***ing of another of drag racing's pioneers and true gentlemen. I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Rifchin in the motel elevator one year at the Hot Rod Reunion in Bakersfield. He invited my wife and I to have breakfast with him and his traveling companions. I (we) listened in awe to his recounting of his tire business and developments, and the racers he met and helped through the years. They don't come any nicer.....
So sad...... If there was ever a nicer man in racing i never met him. His friendship and smile will not be forgotten............ Rest in peace........ Marvin
I had the pleasure of meeting him at a Racing Promoters Workshop sometime in the 80's... a wonderful man with so many stories to tell. I'm saddened to hear of his p***ing.
Another one of our greats is now gone. The sad days just seem to keep coming. RIP Marve, you were one of the good ones. Frank
R.I.P. Marv. He was not only into drag racing, but was also involved big time in New England Modifieds. And, he gave me a couple of sets of tires, slicks, to try on my Trans-Am Camaro (SCCA road racer). His shop in Watertown was a great place to visit. Always made one feel welcome. Generous, friendly, helpful and a damn smart guy who was an ***et to all forms of racing. As they say, "One of a kind". Will miss you Marv.
My first set of new tires on my top fuel car were M&H's. I had no idea he had lived so long. You have to be a good person to live that long.
When i got married in 1962 (eloped to South Carolina from M***.)i came back to M***. with a 55 Chevy,a wife and $3.00 and a trunk load of fireworks to sell (illegal in M***.)anyway i applied at M&H tire ,Marvin did,nt have a job for me but he understood that i needed work,he had me do some cleanup work for him,and change a few tires ,i worked 3 days for him and he gave me $100.00 dollars ,an unreal ammount in those days,he also said that if i needed a recommendation that i should have any future employer call him,well as it turned out i did, and got a good job with a tire distributor in Boston.thats the kind of man Marvin was,he sure helped me.Rest in peace Marvin,God bless you.Gerald Berry
I've run M&H from my g***er days in the 60's right up to the new ones on the Fiat. We were lucky to have a great man like Marv for 97 years. R.I.P. Mr. Rifchin
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