El Mirage May 22, 1949

A newspaper clipping about the fatal crash from the "Daily Courier, Friday, May 27, 1949".

The May 22 race at El Mirage in 1949 was sanctioned by Bell Timing Association. At the meet, Rulon McGregor crashed into the side of a 1940 Ford coupe race car driven by Robert Fadave. Fadave had made three runs already, but was not on the race course. He had picked up Jackson Pendleton and John Cuthbert and was driving around. Both cars were traveling between 60 and 90 MPH at the time of the collision. Rulon and Jackson were killed instantly and Robert died while being transported in an ambulance to San Bernardino County Hospital. John had serious injuries, but survived the crash. After the accident a few spectators pulled out their cameras and took some pictures. Bell Timing Association officials and others tried to wrest the cameras away and destroy the films. Hot Rod Magazine intentionally downplayed deadly lakes racing accidents since it was felt that unfavorable publicity could result in a stoppage of racing. A lot of time was spent cleaning the place up, before the race resumed after a couple of hours.