1954 – Slater Racks Up Three Wins at Davenport

Bob Slater

Davenport, Iowa (August 21, 1954) – Bob Slater, the lanky Kansas City chauffeur, continued his drive towards the IMCA big car championship by scoring wins in three events Saturday afternoon at the Mississippi Valley Fair.

Slater racked up victories in time trials, first heat and feature race, to increase his lead over Jimmy Campbell, who is second in the point standings.

Thee 20-lap feature was a thriller, with five cars dueling it right down to the finish.

A brilliant stretch run by Slater, held off a drive by Jimmy Campbell in an attempt to catch the Kansas Citian at the finish line.

The race up front was dominated by Slater and Campbell, with the lead changing seven times during the 20 laps. During the latter half of the race, Don Branson, and Fritz Tegtmeier closed in on the leaders, and finished less than 30 feet behind Slater. Jim Wegescheider was right on Tegtmeier’s bumper when the checkered flag waved, giving the St. Louis pilot fifth place.

A crowd of 3,500 watched the International Motor Contest Association-sanctioned program.


Results –


Time Trials – Bob Slater, Kansas City (26.31)
Heat #1 – Bob Slater
Heat #2 – Charlie Lutkie, Wichita, Kan.
Heat #3 – Jimmy Campbell, Bates City, Mo.
Australian Pursuit – Jim Wegescheider, St. Louis
Feature –
1. Bob Slater
2. Jimmy Campbell
3. Don Branson, Champaign. Ill.
4. Herschel Wagner, Hickman Hills. Mo.
5. Jim Wegescheider
6. Dick Watson, Mendota, Ill.
7. Fritz Tegtmeier, Elgin, Ill.
8. Charlie Lutkie
9. Roy Blinstrup, Rock Island, Ill.
10.Ken Rubright, Lyndon, Ill.