Wednesday, August 1, 2001

May 31, 1909: Bridgeport Hill Climb (Sport Hill), Bridgeport, CT.


Knox was racing at both Wilkes-Barre and Bridgeport this weekend,
racking up ad-worthy success at both.

Spectators line the Sport Hill  course.
Image courtesy of the National Automotive History Collection, Detroit Public Library

More spectators.
Courtesy of the National Automotive History Collection, Detroit Public Library

Billy Bourque driving a Knox in the Stock class.
Note spectators to the left, right and background along and on the road course. Accidents could be catastrophic.
Courtesy of the National Automotive History Collection, Detroit Public Library

John J. Coffey racing the Columbia #16 car.
He had also driven for Knox but was more often associated with Columbia.
Courtesy of the National Automotive History Collection, Detroit Public Library

Spectators rush to the scene of an accident involving the Isotta driven by Glenn Etheridge.
Courtesy of the National Automotive History Collection, Detroit Public Library

Cause of the accident attributed to front wheel getting caught in a rut causing loss of control.
Hill climbs were at relatively moderate speeds. Imagine a front wheel catching at 70+ mph as was believed
to be the case with the Knox crash at Indianapolis later in 1909.
Courtesy of the National Automotive History Collection, Detroit Public Library