Henry Kohlert, Date of Birth, Date of Death

    

Henry Kohlert

American racing driver

Date of Birth: 08-Mar-1892

Date of Death: 18-Dec-1939

Profession: engineer

Nationality: United States

Zodiac Sign: Pisces


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About Henry Kohlert

  • Henry 'Cap' Kohlert (8 March 1892 in St.
  • Charles, Illinois – 18 December 1939 in St.
  • Charles, Illinois) was an American racecar driver and Aviation pioneer.
  • He served in the United States Army 67th Balloon Corps.
  • in World War 1.
  • After the war he became an Automotive Mechanic, Automotive Dealer and Race car Driver.
  • He raced a 1924 Miller 122 converted to a supercharged 91 cubic inch per indy rules.
  • He purchased the car from fellow racer and Indy winner Tommy Milton in 1926.
  • He raced in the 1927 Indianapolis 500 replacing Fred Lecklider on lap 19.
  • On lap 49 at the 120 mile mark Cliff Bergere collided with him causing him to be thrown from the car.
  • The car flipped three times in mid-air as Bergere passed underneath.
  • A bystander jumped on the track and pulled him into the infield where he was mistaken for dead.
  • He was rushed to the hospital and was released a few weeks later.
  • During this time he recovered with fellow racer Norm Batten who was burned when his car caught fire in the race.
  • A year later Kohlert qualified for the 1928 Indianapolis 500 and finished 13th.
  • Afterwards he sold the car and bought a 1928 Waco 9 biplane.
  • He leased land from a local farmer and after 3 years sold the interest to the plane and the field to a group of businessmen.
  • The field later became known as Dupage Airport in West Chicago Illinois.
  • All the time he ran an Automotive Dealership in St.
  • Charles Illinois which sold Nash and Ford cars.
  • In 1937 he purchased Norm Batten's Miller Fengler/Junior 8 from Batten's widow.
  • He installed a 122 Miller engine from Harry Hartz's Indy winner and with several modifications included bigger brakes and a better oiling system Kohlert entered the car with Chicago dirt track racer Dennis 'Duke' Nalon at the wheel.
  • The car placed 11th in 1938 and Kohlert came back to qualify with Nalon and the car in 1939 but a broken camshaft ended the run before the car could qualify.

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