Ralph Mulford

Ralph Kirkman Mulford

Mulford at the 1911 Vanderbilt Cup
Born (1884-12-28)December 28, 1884
Brooklyn, New York
Died October 23, 1973(1973-10-23) (aged 88)
Asbury Park, New Jersey
Nationality American
Ralph Mulford at the Tacoma Speedway in 1922

Ralph Kirkman Mulford (December 28, 1884 – October 23, 1973) was an American racecar driver who participated in the 1911 Indianapolis 500. In 1911 he won the Vanderbilt Cup in Savannah, Georgia.[1]

Biography

He was born on December 28, 1884 in Brooklyn, New York. He once served as a Sunday school teacher.[2]

There is an ongoing urban legend that Ralph Mulford may have won the 1911 Indianapolis 500 over Ray Harroun.[3] However, contemporary newspaper accounts and substantiated research, namely by Indianapolis Motor Speedway historian Donald Davidson, have produced no credible evidence to support the claim.[2][4][5][6]

Mulford was retroactively declared the National Driving Champion for 1911 and 1918. He retired from racing on tracks after 1922, but continued to compete for several more years in hill climbs, and -- at one time -- held the record for both the Mount Washington and Pikes Peak climbs.

He died on October 23, 1973 in Asbury Park, New Jersey.

Indianapolis 500 results

Year Car Start Qual Rank Finish Laps Led Retired
1911 33 29 — — 2 200 10 Running
1912 19 16 87.880 2 10 200 0 Running
1913 29 22 80.790 17 7 200 0 Running
1914 23 6 88.210 18 11 200 0 Running
1915 22 18 82.720 18 16 124 0 Rod
1916 10 20 91.090 10 3 120 0 Running
1919 2 15 100.500 5 29 37 0 Driveshaft
1920 33 23 — — 9 200 0 Running
1921 8 21 91.700 12 9 177 0 Flagged
1922 5 5 99.200 5 19 161 0 Rod
Totals 1619 10
Starts 10
Poles 0
Front Row 0
Wins 0
Top 5 2
Top 10 6
Retired 3

References

  1. ↑ "Ralph Mulford In Lozier Wins Vanderbilt Trophy". Christian Science Monitor. November 28, 1911. Retrieved 2012-09-21. Motor enthusiasts who are now in this city are looking forward to the running of the big grand prize automobile race over the local course here Thanksgiving day with much interest, following the opening of the big road meet Monday when the Vanderbilt, Tiedeman and Savannah...
  2. 1 2 The Talk of Gasoline Alley. May 18, 2010. WFNI.
  3. ↑ Jaslow, Russell (1997). "Who Really Won The First Indy 500?". The North American Motorsports Journal. Archived from the original on 14 July 2011. Retrieved 14 July 2011.
  4. ↑ The Talk of Gasoline Alley. July 27, 2008. WFNI.
  5. ↑ "The History of the 500 - Episode 10 (Mythbusters)", WIBC 93.1, April 14, 2013
  6. ↑ The Talk of Gasoline Alley. May 25, 2011. WFNI.
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