Automobile Races
On the Historic Half-mile Racetrack at the
Kansas State Fairgrounds
Hutchinson, Kansas
Wednesday, September 20, 1916
Race Promoter – Huff Doward
Part of the huge crowd is visible in this very poor photo. 9,500 people crowded the grandstands and infield to see these races. Many more watched from roof tops and other precarious places. It was said to be the largest crowd that ever saw a Wednesday afternoon program at the Kansas State Fair. A large rut developed in the south turn of the racetrack that bothered the drivers and affected speeds. Dust was not a problem until the final race of the day – Photo from the Dodge City Daily Globe newspaper
Time Trials – 1 Lap
Place |
Driver |
Automobile |
|
Time |
1 |
Cliff Woodbury |
Duesenberg |
|
35.4 |
2 |
Louis LeCocq |
Briscoe |
|
36.0 |
3 |
Sig Haugdahl |
Mercer |
|
37.0 |
|
Russell George “Buddy” Marr |
Marr Special |
|
|
|
Dave Koetzla |
Case 47 |
|
|
|
Eddie Hearne |
Briscoe |
|
|
|
Art Klein |
Maxwell |
|
|
Match Race – 10 Laps
Place |
Driver |
Automobile |
|
Time |
1 |
Louis LeCocq |
Briscoe |
|
6:22.4 |
2 |
Dave Koetzla |
Case 47 |
|
|
This race was run for “purse and metal”.
First Heat Race – 6 Laps from a standing start
Place |
Driver |
Automobile |
Purse |
Time |
1 |
Eddie Hearne |
Briscoe |
$100 |
4:02.4 |
2 |
Cliff Woodbury |
Duesenberg |
50 |
|
3 |
Sig Haugdahl |
Mercer |
|
|
4 |
Art Klein |
Maxwell |
|
|
Exhibition Run against Time – 2 Laps
Automobile |
Time |
“Ford Champion Baby Auto Racer” |
1:18.0 |
Australian Pursuit – 10 Laps – 5 Cars
Place |
Driver |
Automobile |
Purse |
Time |
1 |
Eddie Hearne |
Briscoe |
$100 |
6:14.6 |
2 |
Louis LeCocq |
Briscoe |
50 |
|
3 |
Sig Haugdahl |
Mercer |
|
|
4 |
Cliff Woodbury |
Duesenberg |
|
|
5 |
Dave Koetzla |
Case 47 |
|
|
Each car was eliminated as it was passed. Woodbury first passed Koetzla but was eliminated himself when he was passed by LeCocq. LaCocq then passed Haugdahl and set out after Hearne coming up just ˝ car length short on at the end of the tenth lap.
Exhibition Runs Against Time – 2 Laps
Place |
Driver |
Automobile |
|
Time |
1 |
Louis LeCocq |
Briscoe |
|
1:12.4 |
2 |
Eddie Hearne |
Briscoe |
|
1:13.0 |
Free-For-All – 10 Laps
Place |
Driver |
Automobile |
|
Time |
1 |
Eddie Hearne |
Briscoe |
|
6:14.2 |
2 |
Louis LeCocq |
Briscoe |
|
|
3 |
Cliff Woodbury |
Duesenberg |
|
|
4 |
Sig Haugdahl |
Mercer |
|
|
5 |
Art Klein |
Maxwell |
|
|
LeCocq scrapped against the fence in the north turn but continued on. He said it was so dusty that he just could not see where he was going.
Clyde Cessna made a low pass over the racetrack in his airplane and waved at the crowd. He then gained altitude and flew away to the east.
Cliff Woodbury (1894-1984), Louis LeCocg (1892-1919), Eddie Hearne (1887-1955), Art Klein (1889-1955), and David J. “Dave” Koetzla (1894-1968) have all competed in the Indianapolis “500” as Koetzla drove in relief for Ira Vail in 1922.
Eddie Hearne Bob Rushing collection |
Louis LeCocq Rex LeCocq collection |
Dave Koetzla Show Biz Auto Racing by Buzz Rose |
Return to the Feature Race Winners at Hutchinson, Kansas web page