The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1911-05-15
HAYCRAFT NOT SERIOUSLY HURT
Burns All Over His Body But No Bones
Broken
(Times-Union, 15th)

Despite high winds and overhang-
ing clouds, threatening rain at any
minute, over 5000 people journeyed to
Moncrief Park yesterday afternoon to
witness the running of the auto races.
The first event on the program was
scheduled as the first heat Of the match
race between Bob Burman. driving the
Buick Bug" and c. Fl. Haycraft, driv-
ing the Giant" Knox, the distance
having been announced as five miles.
The two big racing cars lined up for
the start and when Starter Claude No
Ian gave the signal to go they were
off together and the crowd rose in
body and cheered the drivers as they
darted for the first turn. Haycraft, in
the Knox. had the rail and he took ad-
vantage of his position by sticking
close to the inside fence, which made
Burman travel over a greater distance
of ground and take the dust from the
flying Knox as the turns were rounded
The Knox held a slight lead for the
first half mile, but after roupafng into
the home stretch, Burman began to
! gain. When almost directly in front of
the big grandstand Burman shot into
| the lead. With clouds of dust tpailing
him he made the first turn and closely
/ following him was young Haycraft in
the Knox. SO dense the cloud of
dust made by Burman's car, for a sec
ond or two the sight of the Knox was
lost to view. Then, in less than the
| twinkling of an eye, the immense
crowd rose, almost panic stricken, as
they saw the Knox head for the outer
fence and for the driver it looked like
instant death as the great machine was
travelling at a speed of almost mile a
minute. Crashing through the fence
the car turned turtle, throwing its
driver from it and at the same moment
it caught fire adding more horror to
the scene. When the dust had cleared
away the crowd could see Haycraft and
they saw that he was alive. But to the
crowd it looked as though he was go
ing to suffer worse than instant death
as his clothing had caught fire Using
the greatest of presence of mind the
young driver, although partly stunned
land considerably bruised, tore the
burning clothing from him and then
with part of it still clinging to him. he
threw himself into a ditch which rar
alongside of the track and by rolling
over in the ditch he managed to entire.
ly entinguish the flames. thereby saw.
ing himself from a most horrible death
The crowd ran to the assistance of the
injured driver and within a short time
he was hustled away TO a hospital il
an automobile. DR. j. II. Pittmar
made a hurried examination OF his in
juries Immediately following the acct
, dent and stated that no bones had beer
broken, which is really a miracle. Aft
err leaving the race track he was at
tended by a physician from Ocala.
personal friends of the young man
(This was DR.. E. G. Lindner, who Wen
up for the races).
The cause of the accident, according
to the men who were figuring in tht
race. was all on account of the dus
} cloud. which made il impossible TO
[ Hagcraft to see foot in front of him
: Don't worry about the car. See i
the boy is injured" said Burman, whC
2 is the owner of the Giant Knox. Th'
/ machine was practically a wreck. th'
[ whole of its mechanism being badl!
} scorchet and the wood work put int
: charred ruins.