Ray Keech
Encyclopedia
Ray Keech was a board track
and brick track racer in the 1920s. He is best remembered for winning the 1929 Indianapolis 500
, and for setting a land speed record
.
of 207.55 mph (334.02 km/h) on April 22, 1928. He set the record at the Daytona Beach Road Course
in the 81-liter triple-engined internal combustion White Triplex
'Spirit of Elkdom'.
His record was broken by Henry Segrave
on March 11, 1929. In 1929 Keech was asked by Triplex owner J. M. White to attempt to break the new record in the Triplex. Keech wisely declined. White hired Lee Bible
, who rolled the car and died in his second attempt to set the record.
(AAA).
He qualified sixth for the 1929 Indianapolis 500
. Louis Meyer was leading the race, until he lost oil pressure on lap 157. Keech passed for the lead as Meyer's engine refused to fire after he went to the pits to get more oil. Keech led the rest of the race.
on June 15, 1929.
He was buried at the Hephzibah cemetery in Modena, Pennsylvania
in Chester County.
Board track racing
Board track, or motordrome, racing was a type of motorsport popular in the United States between the second and third decades of the 20th century. Competition was conducted on oval race courses with surfaces composed of wooden planks...
and brick track racer in the 1920s. He is best remembered for winning the 1929 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...
, and for setting a land speed record
Land speed record
The land speed record is the highest speed achieved by a wheeled vehicle on land. There is no single body for validation and regulation; in practice the Category C flying start regulations are used, officiated by regional or national organizations under the auspices of the Fédération...
.
Land speed record
Keech set the land speed recordLand speed record
The land speed record is the highest speed achieved by a wheeled vehicle on land. There is no single body for validation and regulation; in practice the Category C flying start regulations are used, officiated by regional or national organizations under the auspices of the Fédération...
of 207.55 mph (334.02 km/h) on April 22, 1928. He set the record at the Daytona Beach Road Course
Daytona Beach Road Course
Daytona Beach Road Course was a race track that was instrumental in the formation of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, or NASCAR. It originally became famous as the location where fifteen world land speed records were set...
in the 81-liter triple-engined internal combustion White Triplex
White Triplex
The White Triplex was a land speed record car built for J. H. White and driven by Ray Keech. It was powered by three 27-litre Liberty aero-engines, for a total of 36 cylinders, 81 litre displacement and a claimed 1500 bhp.A wealthy American, J. H...
'Spirit of Elkdom'.
His record was broken by Henry Segrave
Henry Segrave
-External links:* * * * *...
on March 11, 1929. In 1929 Keech was asked by Triplex owner J. M. White to attempt to break the new record in the Triplex. Keech wisely declined. White hired Lee Bible
Lee Bible
Lee Bible was a garage operator and a land speed record attemptee. He was killed attempting to break the land speed record on March 13, 1929 at Ormond Beach.- Pre-record attempt :On 11 March, Briton Major Henry O. D...
, who rolled the car and died in his second attempt to set the record.
Car racing
He won the first race at the Michigan State Fairgrounds in 1928. He finished in second place in the season points in the American Automobile AssociationAmerican Automobile Association
AAA , formerly known as the American Automobile Association, is a federation of 51 independently operated motor clubs throughout North America. AAA is a not-for-profit member service organization with more than 51 million members. AAA provides services to its members such as travel, automotive,...
(AAA).
He qualified sixth for the 1929 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...
. Louis Meyer was leading the race, until he lost oil pressure on lap 157. Keech passed for the lead as Meyer's engine refused to fire after he went to the pits to get more oil. Keech led the rest of the race.
Death
Keech died sixteen days later in a racing accident at the Altoona 200-Mile Race in Tipton, PennsylvaniaTipton, Pennsylvania
Tipton is a census-designated place in Blair County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,225 at the 2000 census. It is well known for its amusement park, DelGrosso's, formerly known as Bland's Park...
on June 15, 1929.
He was buried at the Hephzibah cemetery in Modena, Pennsylvania
Modena, Pennsylvania
Modena is a borough in Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 535 at the 2010 census. It was originally called Modeville, after the local Mode family.-Geography:Modena is located at ....
in Chester County.
Indy 500 results
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