Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-08-20
mars EVENT AT INDIANAPOLIS
Before Tragedy New American Re-
cord For One and Ten Miles, Re-
spectiveiy, Had Been Established
by Barney oldfeld and Louis
Chevrolet.
(By Associated Press).

INDIANAPOLIS, IND. Aug. ia
Two lives were lost aud two records
broken during the Inauguration of the
indianapolis motor speedway today.
William A. Bourque, driver OF the
Knox car in the $50 mile race, ana
Harry Hoiccmb. his mechanician.
were killed in the frenzied carnival
OF speed.
Barney Oldfeld. driving a high pow
cred Benz. covered a mile In :43 lilo.
breaking De Palma's mark Of :5l, and
Louis Chevrolet. in Buick, negotiat-
ed ten miles in the marvellous time
Of $50 40. cutting OIdheld's time
of 9:12. Both of these are now
American track marks.
Buick Car Wins.
Robert Burman. In Buick car. won
the $50 mile race, the feature of the
day. and the contest which cost
bourque and Hocomb loses thei,
lives.
The winners time was 4:38 4-10-
slow because of the many accidents
that marred the race. The Stod-
dard Dayton. Clements, was second in
4 46 :0i-S-l0 aud the National. Merz.
finished third In 4:52:39 ITO. Anoth-
err National. with Kinkaid at the
wheel. was the only other car of ten
starters to finish the long grind.
The death of the two men caused
the American Automobile Associa-
ton to issue an ultimatum to the
owners of the big track that certain
changes must be made by tomorrow
or the sanction for the races will be
withdrawn.
Must be Freed From Ruts.
The association demands that the
track be freed from it's many dan
gerous ruts, which are claimed to be
unavoidable in new track. and that
every inch of it be thoroughly oiled
and tarIed.
Today only a short portion in front
Of the grand stand was oiled and the
dust on the other parts is blamed
fer the collapse OF two drivers in the
long race-d.ouis Chevrolet and Fred
EllIs-who were blinded by the dense
white dust that covered the major
portion OF the track.
The Knox car driven by Bourque,
was in second place. with Burman in
his Buick leading. II had covered
nearly 1Se miles when the crash
came Coming down the home strech
the car suddenly swerved and tore
into the fence at the left of the track,
turning completely over and pinning
it's two occupants beneath it. Both
men were alive when taken from I'M
der the Inflated machine, but
Bourque died in the ambulance on the
way to the emergency hospital Hol-
comb lived a few minutes longer.
Theories about the cause varied,
and no one knows what really caused
the car to swerve from the track.
Both Men Looked Back.
According to the story by private
Frank Bdandoer. company n. second
regiment, Indiana national guard. VINO
was nearest the scene OF the acct
dent and had a narrow escape from
injury. something caused both men to
suddenly turn and look behind As
they did so the steering wheel slip
ped from Bourque's hands and he
threw his arms helplessly in the air.
Then came the crash.
One of the rear wheels was found
a few hundred feet from the scene
% the accident and this has led 70
the advancement Of the theory that
the axle nuts on II had not been
property frightened when the ma
chiue had taken on a new tire short
~ before. The men probably felt thar
wheel slipping on and after they look
ed behind. they realized ther help
lessncss to prevent an accident
Bourque was - years old and Hoi-
comb p. Both we're unmarried.
Racing Partner CoIlspses.
Albert Denison. the racing partner
a HOurque collapsed after the ~
cideuf and the services 81 a physician
we're required. The sight Of the two
men Iyia~ fr- vas too much for
the friend u both.
Louis Chevrolet. the French e-iver
OF the Buick was led into the hos
aitai almost blinded with the tar and
dust from the track shortly after the
two men had died. The Frenchman,
who led during the early part Of toe
iong race. was forced 10 give up.
As the result Of the two deaths,
the Knox company has Withdrawn All
It's entries for the next two days,