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Any info on Peter Kreis - killed during practice at Indy during 1934


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#1 heepfan

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Posted 26 October 2006 - 04:06

Looking for any info or where to find the info on Peter Kreis who was killed in 1934 in practice while driving a Miller-Hartz. We are doing family history research and think this is a distant reletive from our research so far. Any info or help appreciated. Albert Kreis at Heepfan@aol.com

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#2 Ray Bell

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Posted 26 October 2006 - 04:29

Practice for which race?

Just thought I'd get some clarification going before the real experts turn up...

#3 heepfan

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Posted 26 October 2006 - 04:31

This is all I have.


1934.05.25. Fri. Indianapolis. Indiana. USA. The Tribute Project (via Don Radbruch).. Peter Kreis, racing driver was killed, aged 34. Practice/Indy 500/Indianapolis/USA/Miller-Hartz. He was an Indy 500 veteran. Riding mechanic Bob Hahn also died.

#4 David McKinney

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Posted 26 October 2006 - 05:35

Pete Kreis was a well-known driver on US speedways in the 1920s, and remembered by Europeans for two appearances in the Italian Grand Prix. In the 1925 race he crashed his Duesenberg when in first place, and in 1927 finished third, sharing a Miller with Earl Cooper.
He made seven appearances in the Indianapolis 500 from 1925, with a highest finish of third in 1931, driving with Ralph Hepburn.
He also gained many good placings in board-track races at places such as Culver City, Altoona, Atlantic City and Rockingham in the mid ‘20s.

#5 heepfan

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Posted 26 October 2006 - 05:39

Suposedly he was from Baltimore. is that true

#6 Rob G

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Posted 26 October 2006 - 06:07

Peter Kreis was born in Knoxville, TN, somewhere around the turn of the century.

Source: motorsportmemorial.org

#7 Richard Jenkins

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Posted 26 October 2006 - 18:37

Peter Kreis was not called Peter.

His real name was Albert Jacob Kreis.

He was born on the 19th January 1900 in Knoxville, Tennessee.

His father was John A Kreis, his mother Ida Kreis (nee Mays), both of whom were from Tennesee. His wife, who he married in 1919, was called Jora.

John Kreis' parents were Harmon Kreis & Margaret McLemore
Ida Mays parents were George & Nancy.

Albert Jacob "Peter" Kreis had 3 children with Jora:-
Darel (b.1920), Josette (b.1923) & Agnes (b.1924)


And if that doesn't answer your family query, I don't know what will. He certainly was NOT from Baltimore.
Buried in Knoxville, too.

#8 heepfan

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Posted 26 October 2006 - 22:50

Wow. Thank you.

#9 ry6

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Posted 30 October 2006 - 18:53

Pete Kreis was a veteran of 5 Indy races and also raced the Duesenberg in the 1925 Italian GP when he was included as a driver in the Studebaker team for the 1932 Indy.

He was one of the drivers of the "junk formula" Indy Studebakers in the 1932 Indy. This unique brickyard special car with (later) aerodynamic bodywork (of the time) was imported to South Africa by Studebaker to publicise the marrque in 1935 to race in "road" races!

Kreis and riding mechanic Aaron vance were lying 7th with 50 miles to go in the 1932 Indy when a wheel came off and caused him to crash into a wall.

The full story of the Indy Studebakers was published in the January 2000 Classic Car Africa (original) and Hieronymous may scan it for anyone who is interested. (I am sure Don has a copy too?)

#10 Hieronymus

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Posted 31 October 2006 - 12:14

Originally posted by ry6

The full story of the Indy Studebakers was published in the January 2000 Classic Car Africa (original) and Hieronymous may scan it for anyone who is interested. (I am sure Don has a copy too?)


Yes, no problem. I can make scans so anyone interested please let me know and I'll email the article to you.