Killed in a road race, when he crashed his Peugeot. Land speed record ace, known as 'Wild Bob', he was one of the top early racers, winning at Grosse Point in 1905 and the first ever race at Indianapolis in 1909. From a farming background, Burman left his home at seventeen to take up a job as a mechanic in Jackson, working in a Buick factory as an engine tester, before joining the Jackson Motor Company as a test driver, before developing this into a race drive after proving more than adept against quality opposition. Burman became quite well known for wearing a bow-tie under his racing overalls.

Biography last updated 17 Aug 2015