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Fred 'Jap' Clemens

Fred 'Jap' Clemens, 1909. Photo originally published in the Indianapolis Star, 29th August 1909, so copyright lapsed. JPEG copyright, Mark Dill, www.firstsuperspeedway.com (http://www.firstsuperspeedway.com/photo-gallery/clemens-first-ims-races)

Fred 'Jap' Clemens, 1909. Photo originally published in the Indianapolis Star, 29th August 1909, so copyright lapsed. JPEG copyright, Mark Dill, www.firstsuperspeedway.com (http://www.firstsuperspeedway.com/photo-gallery/clemens-first-ims-races)

Born:

19 Oct 1864
Indianapolis, Indiana

Died:

22 Aug 1919
Indianapolis, Indiana

Nationality:

United States

Indy 500s:

0 (1911)

Jap was a car builder, who died after complications set in during an operation to tackle his appendicitis. A veteran of racing, Jap began competing on 2 wheels and bicycles in the 1890's. In 1905, he set, with Charley Merz, a World record for distance covered in 24 hours when he competed at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. He was a regular racer for the rest of the 1900's, but also worked as a chauffeur. Unfortunately he was quite fast on the roads and he was involved with two separate fatal accidents, when a horse and a young girl both died. Jap was also a sales agent for Speedwell cars and also drove for them for a while and then built a car once his racing had finished. Jap also encouraged his son to race bicycles hen he was little, building a bike for him to race.

Biography last updated 2 Jun 2016