Bert Brooks

Car Owner, Competitor
CLASS OF 2009
Veterans Committee Inductee

Bert Brooks was a motorcycle racer before World War II. Following the war, Bert tried his hand at midget racing, making his debut at Cherry Park in 1945 driving for owners Burt Lundgren and Roy Hagedorn.

In 1947, Bert was the ARDC Ford Champion at Candlelight Stadium, Empire, and Century Stadium. It was driving the Smith #99 that he really established himself, driving the V60 Ford powered car to 4 straight ARDC Non Offy crowns.

He joined the United Racing Club (URC) in 1954 and won that championship 4 times, including 3 straight from 1956-1958. The first two in 1954 & 1956 came driving Jim Shaw/Tony Deubel Ardun sprinter. The 1957-1958 titles came as an owner/driver. He went back to ARDC in 1959.

Bert competed in midgets and sprints from Florida to Maine. He won the inaugural sprint car club event at Fonda Speedway (NY) in 1956.

His 23 year career came to an end following a violent, fatal crash at Hershey Stadium (PA) driving Ken Brenn’s car during an ARDC event in 1968. He was 48 years old.