LATE FRANK LOCKHART

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 135, 9 June 1928, Page 18

LATE FRANK LOCKHART

GREAT RAGING STAR ' The late Frank Lockhart, who met his death on Daytonc Beach, Florida, ou 25th April, was considered one of the greatest automobile racing stars, of all time. He is said to have held every American record from one to 100 miles on circular tracks. As a driver of home-built racing cars which he entered in dirt-track races, he suddenly sprung into the limelight from apparent obscurity when he entered in Indianapolis races in 1926. Against a field of veterans ho won first place in one of the most spectacular races ever witnessed. Lockhart was 24 years of age, and as early as 16 years' old he entered the automobile business as a mechanic. Laterhe became a stunt driver for motion pictures. In California in 1923 he made his first appearance on the Californian Dirt Track, where he met with considerable success. Three years later he entered his own Miller Special in the Indianapolis races, but for certain reasons his car was ruled out. The illness of another driver, however, gave him his opportunity to participate in

the famous sweepstakes wh|ch brought him his greatest glory. ■ '' ■The car in which he was lulled was built by the Stutz'Mbtor Car. Co., by whom Lockhart was employed in the experimental section; The car, which had a 16-cylinder 3-litre engine with a supercharger to each bank of cylinders, designed mainly by himself, is said to have cost £14,000, and he contributed more than £2,000 of his own earnings to the cost of its construction. In attempts to beat the record established by Major H. O. D. Segravo in February (since beaten) Lockhart lost control of his car and was hurled into the surf while travelling near maximum speed. He had a miraculous escape, only sustaining minor injuries, and his car was little damaged. It was with the same car, rebuilt after this experience, that he met his death. One ,of Lockhart's outstanding achievements was when he covered a mile at an average speed of 168 m.p.h. with a 1500 c.c. car. _• The car in which ho met his death was mainly evolved from his ideas. It embodied many novel features.