Big Benz races in the Inaugural Indy 500

1911 Indianapolis 500 - from the collection of the author

This wonderful image shows the No 46 Benz racing at the inaugural Indianapolis 500 – the International Sweepstakes race in 1911. Entered by E.A. “Ernie” Moross and driven by William Peter “Billy” Knipper, the car was one of two Benz’s entered by Moross. Bob Burman drove the other car, with a slightly larger displacement; regardless Knipper would finish just ahead of Burman in 18^thand 19^th places respectively.

As you’ll note, the picture also shows the No 32 Marmon “Wasp” entered by the manufacturer, Nordyke & Marmon Company, and driven to victory by Ray Harroun. The two cars illustrate the key innovations of Marmon: the use of a rear-view mirror (the first such use in racing history) and the lack of a riding mechanic. Both are attributed to helping the Marmon win the first 500.

Billy Knipper (1882 – 1968) only started three 500’s at Indy, the last being 1914 where he finished 13^th driving a Keeton racer with Wisconsin power. However, he was a well-regarded driver with considerable experience. The earliest mention of him is served as a riding mechanic to Herb Lytle for the 1905 Gordon Bennett Trophy race.  He is then stated to have won the Dugdale Hill Climb in his hometown of Rochester, New York in October 1906 driving a 60 hp Thomas. Knipper would become a team driver for Chalmers-Detroit and win the Merrimac Valley Trophy in Lowell, MA in 1909. That same year, still driving for Chalmers, he would win the 100-mile race at the new Atlanta Speedway. After his 1911 Indianapolis experience, Knipper is listed as a backup diver for the Stutz team.

During this same time Billy Knipper became an automobile dealer in Rochester, NY under the name Knipper-Kipp Company. Initially representing the Saxon Motor Company, he later sold the Jordon and Nash brands, as well as Stutz, Henderson, and Benz cars.

Ernest A. Moross also had a notable career starting out as a bicycle racer with his brother. Soon after he became a noted motor sports promoter and publicity manager to Barney Oldfield, one of the biggest names in racing at the time. Said to be a wealthy mill owner from the south, Moross is noted for purchasing Oldfields three racecars (the Blitzen Benz, the Prince Henry Benz, and a Knox) after the AAA suspended Oldfield – it was this action that prevented Oldfield from racing in the inaugural Indy 500. Moross would put Bob Burman behind the wheel of the Blitzen Benz and together they set the land speed record.

“E. A. Moross… secured a lease for the Brighton Beach Motordrom for six to eight races… possibly a 500-mile race patterned after the recent International Sweepstakes at Indianapolis.” “Mr. Moross, who is arranging the race series, is a successful Southern motor race meet promoter. He purchased Barney Oldfield’s racing cars when that driver was suspended, and then engaged Bob Burman to dive them.”

                                                                            - NY Times June 6 1911

Moross would later turn to promoting aviation contests and try his hand at politics. As with many others, Moross found himself bankrupt by the stock collapse of 1929. He and his wife moved out west to begin a small prospecting business in search of gold.