The Washington times., 1916-04-22
WONDER WHO'LL TAKE
BOB DURMAN'S PLACE
Race.Goers Interested In Prob
lem Of Finding Man to Run
Records Breaking Car.

with the opening OF the automobile
racing season only q few weeks off
racegoers are wondering who Will pilot
the famous Bitten Benz car. in which
the Mte wild Bob Burman establish.
ed the worlds record In 1911 at Day
tona. Fla. when he drove the old war
horse" a mile In $3.50.
This performance has never been
equaled IT In doubtful n there II a
car In the country which might be
oenstdcred q dangerous contender TO
the Burman mount OF five years ago.
Barney oidfield was the first driver
to bring the car into prominence. cap
turing q worlds record with i by ne
gotetinR mile In H:2s. In 1908. over
the Daytona course.
In Burman's entire career as a race
driver. he never feared for his Benz
record except during the season of
1912, wber a 3oo-horepower Mercedes
and q Fiat Of the same power were
built to lower the Burman mark. The
Mercedes failed to accomplish its pur-
pose when Sesstarted at Semmering Hill,
Germany, and the big Fiat fell short in
a trial a. the mile record at saltburn-
by-the-Sea, England.
The Bitten Benz Is now included in
the stable of Harry 8. Hardness. a
wealthy race driver. who has moved
his string OF .Peugeots. Delages and
Sunbeoms. to the Sheepshead Bay
speedway. where they are entered for
scheduled for Nav 10. Carl Limberg
will manage the team of Delages, and
Franchi will lead the Peugeots: but
who viii attempt to lower the Burman
record In the Blitzen Benz is not known.
Rumors however. are current in racing
circles tbat Hardness himself will at,
tempt to- lower the mile mark with the
famous Benz.
INDIANAPOLIS. April 22.-The death
OF Bob Burman at Carona, Cal. hns
changed the plans. of some of those In
terested in the aoo-mile speedway race
at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway,
May 30
Paradoxicai as It may seem. this same
race, leaving In its wake nation wide
grief fpr the popular Burman, also
serves 10 accentuate the prowess Of
berg car. and who will drive this same
car at Indianapolis.
The winning OF this event OF Eddie
ODonnell. vindicates the prediction Of
many that o'Donneli is one Of the COM
Ing headliners In the speed sport.
Burnnan was to drive one Of the new
Premier specials which are being built
In factories at Indianapolis. Who will
take his place Is not known.
corporated in these new cars many of
his pet theories and CONSTITUTIONAL fea-
lures that experience had taught him.
There is considerable sentiment associ-
ated with these Premier cars in Indian
apolis. They say they are looked upon
as monuments to the late Burman.
Ever since Indianapolis people have
been running their international sweep
stakes speed events. Burman had par
ticipated in every one and II was his
consuming ambition to win this event
in order to top of his career as racing
II. Meyer n eensrai m sars asea% ~
the Indianapolis track. however. said
that the good Burman has done win
live on forever.
sHe was a clean sportsman. q
thoroughbred In every respect" he
said. "I have known him to help COM
petitors when such help jeopardized
Burinah's own opportunities of success,
He did much in an experimental way
TO perfect the construction of motor
ears. and this good will live on for