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THE AUTOMOBILE — Volume XXVII 27, No. 14, October 3, 1912, page 609
Bruce-Brown’s Fatal Accident
MILWAUKEE, WIS., Oct. 1 – David Bruce-Brown, millionaire racing driver, died this afternoon at 3:15 at the Trinity hospital here, from a basal skull fracture as a result of the ditching of his Fiat car, in which he was speeding at the rate of about 82 miles an hour on the Wauwatosa course, while in practice for the Vanderbilt Cup race which is to be run tomorrow. His mechanician, Anthony Schudelare, whose skull was also fractured, lies at the point of death.
The accident occurred on the back stretch shortly before 1 o’clock when the entrants in tomorrow’s big event were at the height of the day’s practice. One of the rear tires of the big Fiat exploded, causing the car to lurch into the ditch. In a vain attempt to right the machine, Brown jerked the wheel in the other direction causing the car to jump to the opposite side of the road. Both driver and mechanician were pitched out of the car, which turned over and crashed through a fence. Brown and his mechanician were picked up unconscious by farmers who had witnessed the accident. Word was immediately conveyed to the officials and both men were rushed to the Trinity Hospital where they were operated upon. Brown never regained consciousness. The accident occurred on the lap following that in which Brown had made the circuit in 5:53.82, unofficially establishing a new world’s speedway record at 82.2 miles per hour.
The first inkling of the disaster reached the grandstand and officials when Tetzlaff, Bruce-Brown’s team-mate, in another Fiat drew up before the stands to inquire where Brown was. Tetzlaff missed the other car which had been close behind on the back stretch. Meager reports of the disaster began to come in soon after. To have escaped disaster after blowing a tire while traveling at such a terrific speed would have been nothing short of a miracle and the accident can in no way be ascribed to the condition of the course, which has been put in excellent shape since a week ago when the races were at first scheduled to take place.
Although practice was called off immediately after the accident, the unfortunate occurrence will in no way interfere with the running of the Vanderbilt Cup race tomorrow as scheduled.
David L. Bruce-Brown was born in New York City, in 1887, and began racing in 1907. His first appearance was in an Oldsmobile at the Empire City track, where he won his first race. In 1908 he acted as mechanician for the late Cedrino at Ormond Beach. His two most brilliant victories were the Grand Prize races at Savannah in 1910 and 1911, the latter in the same Fiat which he was driving today.
In the French Grand Prix this year, he won the first leg of the 2-day event, and finished third, but was disqualified for taking on gasoline outside a regulation station.
As a racing driver Bruce-Brown was looked upon as the best, not only in America but in the entire world. Built around a rugged framework were as stout a set of muscles as any athlete of his age and height could boast of, a fact which made the racing car more or less of a plaything in his hands so far as guiding it on the highway. Born in 1887, he began driving in 1907 when but 20 years of age. His first appearance was in a race at Empire City track in 1907. The following year brought him into the limelight at the Florida beach races where he acted as mechanician to Cedrino and also drove his Fiat, establishing new amateur beach records. After that he gained prominence in hill-climbs, winning Giants Despair, in his Benz, in 1909. His great fame came at Savannah, in 1910, when he won the grand prize race, averaging 70.45 miles per hour for the 415 miles. Last year he again won this American classic, gaining the distinction of being the only driver to win the grand prize twice in succession, averaging 74.45 miles per hour with his Fiat for the 412 miles.
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THE AUTOMOBILE, Vol. XXVII 27, No. 15, October 10, 1912, page 717
Coroner Blames the Road
Investigating Death of Bruce-Brown, Official Finds Milwaukee Course Too Narrow for Safety
ΜILWAUKEE, WIS., Oct. 8 — Special Telegram – The verdict of the coroner on Bruce-Brown’s death today, holds no one to account but blames the condition of the course for the accident. It says if the course had been constructed on more solid foundation, if the crown had been smoother and harder, the course wider and the edges more even, the catastrophe might have been avoided. It recommends that the American Automobile Association be compelled to formulate laws governing the construction of road racing courses which must be at least 6 months old. Must have roadway of at least 25 feet, every foot usable; must have proper physical position edges; must be surveyed, the crown smooth, hard and even, and curves built to a safe angle. It also recommends the appointment of a commission of competent drivers and road constructors to inspect track as well as racing machines before racing is permitted on any given course.
Scudalari, Brown’s mechanic, died Tuesday. Despite a deficit between $17,000 and $30,000, Milwaukee dealers will ask to run the four races again next year. The coroner’s inquest testimony showed $40,000 were expended on construction of the course.
Despite announcements made in the press that a contract has been made between the Milwaukee Automobile Dealers‘ Association and the Motor Cups Holding Company which controls the Vanderbilt Cup and the Grand Prize Gold Cup, providing for the holding of the classic American road races at Milwaukee for a term of years, the report is flatly denied by William K. Vanderbilt, Jr., of the holding company, donor of the Cup.
MILWAUKEE, WIS., Oct. 9 – Special Telegram – Ralph De Palma’s condition this morning was reported to be favorable at Trinity Hospital. The crisis has not yet been reached but his physicians are hopeful of recovery unless further complications arise. Tom Alley, De Palma’s mechanic left the hospital Sunday.