Charles Van Acker[1] (14 March 1912 Brussels – 31 May 1998 South Bend, Indiana) was a Belgian-American racing driver. He first attempted to qualify for the Indianapolis 500 in 1946 but was too slow. In 1947 he made the race and finished in 29th after a crash on lap 24. He also competed in seven more races of the national trail that season and finished 4th in points. In 1948 he finished 11th in the Indy 500 and 10th in the National Championship. 1949 saw him crash 10 laps into the Indy 500 and struggle to qualify much of the rest of the season. He attempted the 1950 Indianapolis 500 but failed to qualify in what would be his last Championship Car appearance.[2] He owned and operated the South Bend Motor Speedway in South Bend, Indiana and once after a dirt track crash in Dayton, Ohio was declared dead. However, Van Acker claims that the reports were exaggerated and that he was not that seriously injured.[3]

Charles Van Acker
BornCharles Edward Van Acker
(1912-03-14)March 14, 1912
Brussels, Belgium
DiedMay 31, 1998(1998-05-31) (aged 86)
Grand Blanc, Michigan, U.S.
Champ Car career
25+ races run over 5 years
Years active1946–1950
Best finish4th – 1947
First race1946 Winchester Race 3 (Winchester)
Last race1949 Springfield 100 (Springfield)
First win1946 Winchester Race 4 (Winchester)
Last win1947 Milwaukee 100 (Milwaukee)
Wins Podiums Poles
2 5 0
Formula One World Championship career
Active years1950
TeamsStevens
Entries1 (0 starts)
Championships0
Wins0
Podiums0
Career points0
Pole positions0
Fastest laps0
First entry1950 Indianapolis 500
Last entry1950 Indianapolis 500

Motorsports career results

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Complete AAA Championship Car results

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Year 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Pos Points
1946 INDY
DNQ
LAN
DNP
ATL ISF MIL GOS - 0
1947 INDY
29
MIL
5
LAN
6
ATL
6
BAI
3
MIL
1
GOS
3
MIL
10
PIK SPR
DNQ
ARL
DNQ
4th 770
1948 ARL
INDY
11
MIL
5
LAN
7
MIL
9
SPR
5
MIL
6
DUQ
4
ATL
9
PIK SPR
12
DUQ
10
10th 760
1949 ARL
INDY
31
MIL
DNQ
TRE
SPR
11
MIL
9
DUQ
10
PIK
SYR
DNQ
DET
DNQ
SPR
8
LAN
SAC
DMR
26th 180
1950 INDY
DNQ
MIL LAN SPR MIL PIK SYR DET SPR SAC PHX BAY DAR - 0

Indianapolis 500 results

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Complete Formula One World Championship results

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(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Entrant Chassis Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 WDC Pts
1950 Redmer Stevens Offenhauser L4 GBR MON 500
DNQ
SUI BEL FRA ITA NC 0
Source:[4]

References

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  1. ^ "Charles Van Acker". www.champcarstats.com. Retrieved 2023-06-12.
  2. ^ Charles Van Acker, Champ Car Stats, Retrieved 2010-12-24
  3. ^ Charles Van Acker[permanent dead link], Historic Racing, Retrieved 2010-12-24
  4. ^ "Charles van Acker – Involvement". StatsF1. Retrieved 2019-06-27.