Bob Cortner

Bob Cortner
Born	April 16, 1927; Redlands, California
Died	May 19, 1959 (aged 32); Indianapolis, Indiana
Formula One World Championship career
Nationality	American
Active years	1958–1959
Teams	Cornis, Kurtis Kraft
Entries	2 (0 starts)
Championships	0
Wins	0
Podiums	0
Career points	0
Pole positions	0
Fastest laps	0
First entry	1958 Indianapolis 500
Last entry	1959 Indianapolis 500

Robert Charles Cortner (April 16, 1927 – May 19, 1959) was an American automobile racing driver from Redlands, California. Cortner was killed practicing for the 1959 Indianapolis 500.

Career

Cortner was active on the midget car racing circuit, with a career spanning ten years. He was the outdoor champion of the Bay Cities Racing Association in 1957,[1] and was inducted into the association's hall of fame in 2007.[2]

Death

On Monday, May 18, Cortner passed the rookie test for the Indianapolis 500, allowing him to attempt to qualify a car for the race, which was to be held May 30.[3] On Tuesday when Cortner took to the track, Johnny Parsons, who observed the accident, reported that the wind was blowing harder than he had ever seen it blow at the track. Parsons stated that the car was caught in a cross wind, and first came into the infield before shooting back across the track head-first into the outer wall.[4] Cortner's face hit the steering wheel and it appeared he began bleeding internally. He was pronounced dead that evening, the cause being listed as "massive head injuries". A number of other drivers were waiting to donate blood to Cortner when the announcement came that he had died. It was the second death at the speedway that year, as Jerry Unser had died in an accident May 17, and the fiftieth death overall in the history of the speedway, occurring in its fiftieth year of operation.[5]

Complete Formula One World Championship results

(key) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year	Chassis	Engine	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	WDC	Points
1958	Cornis	Offenhauser L4	ARG	MON	NED	500 DNS	BEL	FRA	GBR	GER	POR	ITA	MOR	NC	0
1959	Kurtis Kraft	Offenhauser L4	MON	500 DNQ	NED	FRA	GBR	GER	POR	ITA	USA			NC	0

Personal

Cortner was married with no children. He is buried at the Hillside Memorial Park cemetery in his home town of Redlands, California.[6]

References

Bay Cities Racing Association champions by year Archived October 3, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
Bay Cities Racing Association Hall of Fame inductees by year Archived August 13, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
Bob Cortner dies after Auto Wreck Associated Press as reported in The News and Courier of Charleston, South Carolina, May 20, 1959
Second 500 Death Baffles Officials United Press International as reported in the Pittsburgh Press, May 20th, 1959
Bob Cortner Dies of Head Injuries Suffered in Indianapolis Practice Run by Dale Burgess, Associated Press, as reported in the Youngstown Vindicator, May 20th, 1959
Robert Charles Cortner at Find A Grave

Preceded by Jerry Unser Jr.	Formula One fatal accidents May 19, 1959	Succeeded by Harry Schell

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[1] Bay Cities Racing Association champions by year Archived October 3, 2011, at the Wayback Machine

[2] Bay Cities Racing Association Hall of Fame inductees by year Archived August 13, 2012, at the Wayback Machine

[3] Bob Cortner dies after Auto Wreck Associated Press as reported in The News and Courier of Charleston, South Carolina, May 20, 1959

[4] Second 500 Death Baffles Officials United Press International as reported in the Pittsburgh Press, May 20th, 1959

[5] Bob Cortner Dies of Head Injuries Suffered in Indianapolis Practice Run by Dale Burgess, Associated Press, as reported in the Youngstown Vindicator, May 20th, 1959

[6] Robert Charles Cortner at Find A Grave