Charlie Merz
Encyclopedia
Charlie Merz was an American
racecar driver. Active in the early years of the Indianapolis 500
, he later became Chief Steward of the Memorial Day Classic.
After observing the event, Carl G. Fisher
, who later founded the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
, saw the opportunity to promote American automobiles by staging a 24 hour distance record run. Working with Newby and James A. Allison
, his partner at Prest-O-Lite, the trio organized the record run again at the Indiana State Fairgrounds for November 17–18. Two Nationals, again driven by Merz and Clemens, began the run, this time with Clemens setting the early pace. Clemens' car blew a tire on mile 152, crashing through the wooden fence. As with Merz on November 4, he was unscathed. As night fell, Prest-O-Lite lamps provided by Allison and Fisher illuminated the track.
The men struggled through the night, rarely driving longer than 30 minute stints. The cold, exacerbated by their exposure in open cockpit cars, was debilitating. Goggles were useless because they frosted over within minutes. Stiff with cold and bloodshot eyes, both Clemens and Merz warmed themselves with a bonfire and hot coffee when they stopped. In the end, at 2:45 p.m. on November 18, 1905 Merz and his teammate set a new world record for distance covered in 24 hours at 1094.19 miles (1,760.9 km).
Young Merz loved motorized competition. In addition to competing in automobile races, he also rode motorcycles and was entered in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
's first motorcycle meet in 1909.
), the first major race in the United States on October 30, 1909. Again, the 21-year-old was at the wheel of a National stock car. He ran well in the early going, working his way into third by the halfway point. A bent crankshaft ended his day on lap 12 of the 22 lap race. He ended the Vanderbilt Cup
in seventh position.
four times, but also competed in the races held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
prior to the first running of the Indianapolis 500
in 1911.
, the track's seventh auto race in August 1909. The race was a four lap (10 miles) affair for stock chassis with engines of 301 to 450 cubic inch displacement. Only four cars started the race, with Jap Clemens retiring almost immediately. Merz, driving another National, won over Louis Chevrolet in a Buick. His victory was met with applause from local fans as both driver and car were from Indianapolis
. He finished second and third in two other handicap events as well.
More significant, perhaps, were two other races Merz competed in at the same 1909 race meet. Both ended in tragedy. They were the longest races of the 1909 race meet, the 250 miles (402.3 km) Prest-O-Lite Trophy and the 300 miles (482.8 km) Wheeler-Schebler Trophy.
The Prest-O-Lite race yielded a good result for Merz with a third place finish behind winner Bob Burman in a Buick. Unfortunately, the race also produced the first fatalities at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
when 26-year-old driver Wilfred Bourque
and his 22-year-old riding mechanic Harry Holcomb struck a fence post. The incident destroyed his Knox Automobile
and killed both men.
Merz was directly involved with another fatal accident when, at 175 miles (281.6 km), the right front tire on his National blew out and sent him through the track's outer fence and into a cluster of spectators. Merz was lucky to escape injury as his riding mechanic, Claude Kellum was killed. Two spectators perished in the incident and several more sustained minor injuries.
Following these tragedies, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
, initially utilizing a crushed stone surface, was paved with brick to produce a safer track. The first full race meet for the new "Brickyard
," came in May 1910. Merz competed in seven events in that race meet. The most noteworthy was his second place drive for National in the 100 miles (160.9 km) Prest-O-Lite Trophy.
At the Speedway's July 1910 meet, Merz drove for Empire, a short-lived Indianapolis
automobile company founded by Carl G. Fisher
. He drove in two minor sprint races, with a best finish of second. In August 1910 Merz was back with National and ran in nine races. All but one, the Remy Grand Brassard 100 miles (160.9 km) race, were sprint contests of five to 10 miles (16.1 km). In the Remy Grand Brassard race, Merz battled teammate and future Indy 500 winner, Howdy Wilcox, to the finish only to lose by nine seconds. Wilcox won and Merz was second.
, finishing in the top 10 in three of his four starts. He finished seventh in the first "500" in 1911, again driving for National. In 1912 he changed to the Stutz team, impressing observers with his ability to keep a car with the second smallest engine (390 cubic inches) in contention. The Horseless Age praised his driving skill through the Speedway's banked turns, noting that it was in the turns that he picked up time on his competitors. Merz finished a very respectable fourth.
Merz' best finish was third in 1913. It also proved to be his most spectacular. Merz, driving a Stutz again, was chasing Spencer Wishart in a New Jersey-built Mercer for second place when his engine burst into flames just before starting the last of the race's 200 laps. Instead of stopping, Merz pushed on, gambling he could finish one more lap. Coming down the front stretch to the checkered flag, spectators saw Merz' mechanic, Harry Martin, leaning out of the cockpit trying to bat the flames down with a jacket. The team earned their third place finish that day.
Merz did not race at Indy in 1914 or 1915, but returned in 1916 for his final attempt to win the "500." A loss of oil pressure in his Puegeot engine ended his day early, leaving him in 19th place.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
racecar driver. Active in the early years of the Indianapolis 500
Indianapolis 500
The Indianapolis 500-Mile Race, also known as the Indianapolis 500, the 500 Miles at Indianapolis, the Indy 500 or The 500, is an American automobile race, held annually, typically on the last weekend in May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana...
, he later became Chief Steward of the Memorial Day Classic.
Early years
At just 17, Charlie Merz demonstrated impressive skill as a race driver when he was hired by Arthur C. Newby (one of the future founders of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway) to drive one of his National Motor Vehicle Company stock cars against some of the top competitors in the United States at a 100 miles (160.9 km) race at the Indiana State Fairgrounds one-mile (1.6 km) dirt oval on November 4, 1905. Merz led the race over his teammate W.F. "Jap" Clemmens until lap 80 when his right rear tire blew and sent him crashing through a wooden fence.After observing the event, Carl G. Fisher
Carl G. Fisher
Carl Graham Fisher was an American entrepreneur. Despite having severe astigmatism, he became a seemingly tireless pioneer and promoter of the automotive, auto racing, and real estate development industries...
, who later founded the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, located in Speedway, Indiana in the United States, is the home of the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race and the Brickyard 400....
, saw the opportunity to promote American automobiles by staging a 24 hour distance record run. Working with Newby and James A. Allison
James A. Allison
James Ashbury Allison , born in Marcellus, Michigan, was an American entrepreneur and businessman. He was the inventor of the Allison Perfection Fountain Pen and with Carl G. Fisher a founder of Prest-O-Lite, a manufacturer of automobile headlights. With Carl G. Fisher, Frank H. Wheeler, and Arthur C...
, his partner at Prest-O-Lite, the trio organized the record run again at the Indiana State Fairgrounds for November 17–18. Two Nationals, again driven by Merz and Clemens, began the run, this time with Clemens setting the early pace. Clemens' car blew a tire on mile 152, crashing through the wooden fence. As with Merz on November 4, he was unscathed. As night fell, Prest-O-Lite lamps provided by Allison and Fisher illuminated the track.
Young Merz loved motorized competition. In addition to competing in automobile races, he also rode motorcycles and was entered in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, located in Speedway, Indiana in the United States, is the home of the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race and the Brickyard 400....
's first motorcycle meet in 1909.
The Vanderbilt Cup
Charlie Merz competed in one William Kissam Vanderbilt, Jr. Cup Race (William Kissam Vanderbilt IIWilliam Kissam Vanderbilt II
William Kissam Vanderbilt II was a motor racing enthusiast and yachtsman and a member of the prominent United States Vanderbilt family.-Biography:...
), the first major race in the United States on October 30, 1909. Again, the 21-year-old was at the wheel of a National stock car. He ran well in the early going, working his way into third by the halfway point. A bent crankshaft ended his day on lap 12 of the 22 lap race. He ended the Vanderbilt Cup
Vanderbilt Cup
The Vanderbilt Cup was the first major trophy in American auto racing.-History:An international event, it was founded by William Kissam Vanderbilt II in 1904 and first held at a course set out in Nassau County on Long Island, New York. The announcement that the race was to be held caused...
in seventh position.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Charlie Merz not only raced in the Indianapolis 500Indianapolis 500
The Indianapolis 500-Mile Race, also known as the Indianapolis 500, the 500 Miles at Indianapolis, the Indy 500 or The 500, is an American automobile race, held annually, typically on the last weekend in May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana...
four times, but also competed in the races held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, located in Speedway, Indiana in the United States, is the home of the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race and the Brickyard 400....
prior to the first running of the Indianapolis 500
Indianapolis 500
The Indianapolis 500-Mile Race, also known as the Indianapolis 500, the 500 Miles at Indianapolis, the Indy 500 or The 500, is an American automobile race, held annually, typically on the last weekend in May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana...
in 1911.
Pre-Indy 500 Races at the Speedway
Charlie Merz did pick up one victory at the Indianapolis Motor SpeedwayIndianapolis Motor Speedway
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, located in Speedway, Indiana in the United States, is the home of the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race and the Brickyard 400....
, the track's seventh auto race in August 1909. The race was a four lap (10 miles) affair for stock chassis with engines of 301 to 450 cubic inch displacement. Only four cars started the race, with Jap Clemens retiring almost immediately. Merz, driving another National, won over Louis Chevrolet in a Buick. His victory was met with applause from local fans as both driver and car were from Indianapolis
Indianapolis
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
. He finished second and third in two other handicap events as well.
More significant, perhaps, were two other races Merz competed in at the same 1909 race meet. Both ended in tragedy. They were the longest races of the 1909 race meet, the 250 miles (402.3 km) Prest-O-Lite Trophy and the 300 miles (482.8 km) Wheeler-Schebler Trophy.
The Prest-O-Lite race yielded a good result for Merz with a third place finish behind winner Bob Burman in a Buick. Unfortunately, the race also produced the first fatalities at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, located in Speedway, Indiana in the United States, is the home of the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race and the Brickyard 400....
when 26-year-old driver Wilfred Bourque
Wilfred Bourque
Wilfred Bourque , also known as Billy Bourque and William Bourque, was a Canadian racecar driver, born in W. Farnham, Québec. At the time of his racing career, he lived in West Springfield, Massachusetts.-Racing career:...
and his 22-year-old riding mechanic Harry Holcomb struck a fence post. The incident destroyed his Knox Automobile
Knox Automobile
The Knox Automobile Company was a manufacturer of automobiles in Springfield, Massachusetts, United States between 1900 and 1914. Knox also built trucks and farm tractors until 1924.-History:...
and killed both men.
Merz was directly involved with another fatal accident when, at 175 miles (281.6 km), the right front tire on his National blew out and sent him through the track's outer fence and into a cluster of spectators. Merz was lucky to escape injury as his riding mechanic, Claude Kellum was killed. Two spectators perished in the incident and several more sustained minor injuries.
Following these tragedies, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, located in Speedway, Indiana in the United States, is the home of the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race and the Brickyard 400....
, initially utilizing a crushed stone surface, was paved with brick to produce a safer track. The first full race meet for the new "Brickyard
Brickyard
A brickyard is a place or yard where the earthen building material called bricks are made, fired, and stored, or sometimes sold or otherwise distributed from.-See also:...
," came in May 1910. Merz competed in seven events in that race meet. The most noteworthy was his second place drive for National in the 100 miles (160.9 km) Prest-O-Lite Trophy.
At the Speedway's July 1910 meet, Merz drove for Empire, a short-lived Indianapolis
Indianapolis
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
automobile company founded by Carl G. Fisher
Carl G. Fisher
Carl Graham Fisher was an American entrepreneur. Despite having severe astigmatism, he became a seemingly tireless pioneer and promoter of the automotive, auto racing, and real estate development industries...
. He drove in two minor sprint races, with a best finish of second. In August 1910 Merz was back with National and ran in nine races. All but one, the Remy Grand Brassard 100 miles (160.9 km) race, were sprint contests of five to 10 miles (16.1 km). In the Remy Grand Brassard race, Merz battled teammate and future Indy 500 winner, Howdy Wilcox, to the finish only to lose by nine seconds. Wilcox won and Merz was second.
Indy 500 Highlights
Charlie Merz had a strong record in the Indianapolis 500Indianapolis 500
The Indianapolis 500-Mile Race, also known as the Indianapolis 500, the 500 Miles at Indianapolis, the Indy 500 or The 500, is an American automobile race, held annually, typically on the last weekend in May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana...
, finishing in the top 10 in three of his four starts. He finished seventh in the first "500" in 1911, again driving for National. In 1912 he changed to the Stutz team, impressing observers with his ability to keep a car with the second smallest engine (390 cubic inches) in contention. The Horseless Age praised his driving skill through the Speedway's banked turns, noting that it was in the turns that he picked up time on his competitors. Merz finished a very respectable fourth.
Merz' best finish was third in 1913. It also proved to be his most spectacular. Merz, driving a Stutz again, was chasing Spencer Wishart in a New Jersey-built Mercer for second place when his engine burst into flames just before starting the last of the race's 200 laps. Instead of stopping, Merz pushed on, gambling he could finish one more lap. Coming down the front stretch to the checkered flag, spectators saw Merz' mechanic, Harry Martin, leaning out of the cockpit trying to bat the flames down with a jacket. The team earned their third place finish that day.
Merz did not race at Indy in 1914 or 1915, but returned in 1916 for his final attempt to win the "500." A loss of oil pressure in his Puegeot engine ended his day early, leaving him in 19th place.
Post Driving Career
In 1927 at age 39 Charlie Merz founded Merz Engineering and served as its president until his retirement in 1946. The company sponsored an Indy 500 team from 1950 to 1955. Merz served as Chief Steward for the Indianapolis 500, the top official of the race, from 1935 through 1939. Charlie Merz died in his home just outside Indianapolis at age 64 on July 8, 1952.Indy 500 results
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