on the newly brick-paved track in 1910. In addition, he was the starter of the first motorized event at the Speedway, the August 1909 motorcycle races. He was also responsible for engineering the first trip around the track by a woman. Journalist Betty Blythe rode "shotgun" with Bob Burman August 17, 1909, and then wrote a feature article about it that appeared in the Indianapolis Star the following day. Moross was also a key figure in the development of the May 1910 auto race meet at the Speedway, unique in its presentation of such odd events as an obstacle course contest that included wooden ramps and a trip through the Speedway's landmark ditch at the inside of the track's southwest turn. Work with Bob Burman and Teddy Tetzlaff Moross purchased Oldfield's team for $13,500 before the 1911 season and shortly after the driver was suspended by the AAA for staging an unsanctioned match race at Sheepshead Bay against World Heavyweight Boxing Champion Jack Johnson in October 1910. The team featured the Blitzen Benz, a Knox Automobile and the Darracq that won the 1905 Vanderbilt Cup. Moross Amusement Company arranged for "Wild" Bob Burman to drive the car at Ormond-Daytona in April 1911, establishing a new record at over 141.73 MPH. The world land speed record was all Moross needed to create a money making exhibition show. Although the car's engine was far too large to meet the technical specifications of the first Indianapolis 500 in May 1911, the car made exhibition runs the morning of the race and set new track records at the quarter mile, half mile, kilometer and mile distances. After these headline generating achievements, Moross, Burman and the Benz went on tour with a supporting cast of Louis Disbrow, Billy Knipper and H.J. Kilpatrick driving a Mercedes and a 1906 Grand Prix Hotchkiss. Moross and Burman continued to work together in 1912 and 1913, introducing a new 300 HP "Jumbo" Benz and set a new one mile dirt track record of 75.24 MPH at Brighton Beach in September. In 1914 the Moross Amusement Company engaged Californian Teddy Tetzlaff to campaign the 300 HP Benz, naming it "Blitzen Benz 2." Tetzlaff broke the world land speed record mark by running 142.8 MPH on the Bonneville Salt Flats. Notes References Barney Oldfield, The Life and Times of America's Legendary Speed King, William Nolan, Brown Fox Books, 2002, pages 54,62,89,92,101,102.