Robert R. Burman (April 23, 1884 – April 8, 1916) was an American racing driver. He was an open-wheel pioneer, setting numerous speed records in the early 1900s.[1] He participated in many historic races and was one of the drivers to compete in the first edition of the Indianapolis 500 in 1911.
Racing for promoter Ernest Moross, Burman set a land speed record at an average of 141.732 miles per hour (228.096 km/h) over distance of 0.625 miles (1 kilometer) in his 200-horsepower Blitzen Benz on the sands of Daytona Beach on April 23, 1911; however this record was not officially recognized by the AIACR in Paris. He competed at the first ever 1911 Indianapolis 500 in a Benz, before the race he made exhibition runs in the Blitzen Benz on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and set speed records at the quarter mile, half mile, kilometer and mile distances. He was crowned speed king before the start of the race.[5]
On April 8, 1916, Burman was killed during a non-championship Corona road race when one of his rear tires exploded, causing his open-cockpit Peugeot car to roll over, along with his riding mechanic Erick Schrader and a policeman on duty.[6] Three spectators were also killed, and five others were seriously injured.[7][failed verification] His death caused his friends Barney Oldfield and Harry Arminius Miller to join forces to build a race car that incorporated a roll cage inside a streamlined driver's compartment that completely enclosed the driver. It was called the Golden Submarine.