Bob Cortner

Bob Cortner
Born	April 16, 1927; Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
Formula One World Championship career
Active years	1958–1959
Teams	Kurtis Kraft, Cornis
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.

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	Kurtis Kraft	L4	ARG	MON	NED	500 DNQ	BEL	FRA	GBR	GER	POR	ITA	MOR	NC	0
1959	Cornis	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.

References

[1]

^ 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

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

[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

[1]

[2]

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