Frank Zorkan: 12/19/2022 is 98 Years Old Today

[Ron Hill]

Alan Ishii (C-3) suggested for those interested in sending Frank Zorkan a birthday wish do so by by sending a birthday and Christmas card:Wanda Zorkan and Son Curtis Zorkan
1501 E, Cambridge Avenue
Phoenix, Arizona 85006

Frank will be 98 on December 19, 2022

I first met Frank in 1956, at Lake Weist, Brawley, California. He had a Mishey Hydro and a 20- H.

We were sort of friends for years. I became closer to Frank when Wanda started officiating at our races. She was once the Chief Referee of the Mod Nationals, 1976.

Frank built many boats, many of which I didn't think would run well, but I was more often wrong than right. His boats won many championships.

Fred Hauenstein, Denice Morris won championships that I can thin of...

Fran rode Deck in my F Runabout several times, winning in everyone race. Winternationals, twice, Lake Pleasant once.

Frank finished 4th in the Parker 9 Hour, 1970, he co-drove with Jimbo McConnell. Jimbo once had a Zorkan B Runabout.

I once owned two Zorkan boats myself.

Frank has raced many classes over he years.

I hope Frank has a great day, he's at a Veteran's Home with 5 other vets. Merry Christmas to Frank and everyone else.


Frank Zorkan.....

Frank has been building boats since at least 1955. He raced a 20-H on a Mishey hull, natural wood and red deck for many years, when the Hot Rod was winning. Seems he never gave up on the 20-H.

Later, he had a pretty fast 20 SSH and a very fast VC Konig B...

He rode deck for me several times in F Runabout...not sure I ever thanked him...He got hurt riding deck at Sparks, Nevada (Not riding with me).a long time ago...but I think that ended his racing.
His boats have won countless races. His prices have always been more than fair.
He has always given his all to anyone that needed help.
I'm not sure how old Frank is, but it doesn't matter to him. When there is a boat race, he goes.....His wife Wanda Refereed several Mod Nationals and went to the races for many years...but, Frank usually goes to the races along, now...all the way from his home in Phoenix, AZ...
He has been loyal to boat racing for at least 50 years...

This is Frank at the Winternationals, 1970 at Topock!!!



In 1976, we had our Divisionals at Folsom Lake. Then, we headed for Hinton, West Virginia. I got up the hill to Reno all right, pulling my two boats in my Winnebago. About 60 miles outside of Reno the engine in the Winnie died. I got out and started to try to figure out what was wrong when Frank and Wanda Zorkan stopped to help. We decided the fuel pump wasn't pumping. I had abut ten foot of surgical tubing that I used for a "torque Strap" on my Scotti. So, Frank and I took my gallon gas tank out of my D Runabout, duct taped it to the hood of my Winnebago, ran the surgical tube to the carb, blew in the vent line and the motor started right up. Well, a Winnebago gets about 9 miles to the gallon. Frank and Wanda followed me clear across the state, going nine mile and stopping for more gas. It took all day, but we made it to somewhere where there was a Dodge dealer and we got a new fuel pump.

The hydro is the Winternationals, 1970. 166-C is B Runabout, Needles, 1963.