Gil_Andersen

Gil Andersen

Gil Andersen

American racing driver (1879–1930)


Gilbert J. Andersen (born Gulbrand, November 27, 1879[1] – September 20, 1930) was an American racing driver active during the formative years of auto racing.

Quick Facts Born, Died ...

Biography

Andersen was born on November 27, 1879, in Horten, Vestfold county, Norway.[2] Andersen and his family emigrated to Chicago, Illinois, in 1895, whereupon Andersen took the name Gilbert. He later became a citizen of the United States. He married Elsie Olsen on March 3, 1909, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.[3] He competed in the first six Indianapolis 500 races, appearing in annual races from 1911 through 1916.[2]

One of Andersen's major victories was in the 1913 Elgin National Road Races, which he won at an average speed of 71 mph.[4] On October 9, 1915, he set a new auto speed record of 102.6 mph, winning the first Astor Cup race at Sheepshead Bay. New York.[5] In 1928 Andersen established a new American stock car speed record, when he clocked 106.52 mph in a Stutz Blackhawk on the measured mile at Daytona Beach, Florida.[6]

Andersen worked as an engineer for the Stutz Motor Company. Stutz was in operation from 1911 and continued through 1935. He also was an engineer for the ReVere Motor Company,[7] located in Logansport, Cass County, Indiana.[8]

Andersen died of pulmonary tuberculosis on September 20, 1930, in Logansport, Indiana, at age 50.[2]

Motorsports career results

Indianapolis 500 results

More information Year, Car ...

[9]


References

  1. "Info Taken From WWI Draft Registration". familysearch.org. Retrieved June 3, 2017.[dead link]
  2. "Gil Andersen Dies: Was Famous Auto Racer Years Ago". The Indianapolis Star. Indianapolis, IN. September 21, 1930. pp. 1, 7. Retrieved December 12, 2021 via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  3. "STUTZ WINS ELGIN RACE.; Anderson Drives Winning Car at 71 1/2 Miles an Hour". New York Times. August 31, 1913. Retrieved January 28, 2013.
  4. The Encyclopedia of American Facts & Dates, Gordon Carruth, Eighth Edition, Harper & Row
  5. "Andersen to Pilot Stutz in Dual Stock Car Race". Milwaukee Sentinel. March 18, 1928. Retrieved January 28, 2013.[permanent dead link]
  6. Gil Andersen (The Indy 500 drivers — Where are they now?)

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