Bob Christie

Bob Christie was one of the rugged, determined competitors who embodied the spirit of American open-wheel racing during the 1950s and early 1960s. Best known for his appearances at the Indianapolis 500.

Driver Bio

Nationality	American
Birthplace	Grantu2019s Pass, Oregon, USA
Born	4 April 1924
Died	1 June 2009
First Grand Prix	1954 Indianapolis 500
Last Grand Prix	1960 Indianapolis 500
Years Active	1954–1960
Current/Last Team	Privateer: Kurtis Kraft

Born in America at a time when dirt tracks and board tracks shaped the country’s racing culture, Christie worked his way into the ultra-competitive USAC Championship Car ranks during one of the toughest periods in the sport’s history. Between 1956 and 1963, he competed in the USAC Championship Car series, making 15 career starts against many of the biggest names in American racing.

Most notably, Christie qualified for every Indianapolis 500 held during that period — a remarkable achievement given the depth of competition and the brutal demands of the Speedway at the time.

Although victories proved elusive, Christie recorded five top-ten finishes during his Championship Car career, highlighted by an impressive third-place result at Daytona in 1959 — the strongest finish of his time in top-level open-wheel racing.

After stepping away from top-flight competition, Christie remained part of the broader racing community and lived a long life connected to the sport he loved. He died in Grants Pass, Oregon, on 1 June 2009 at the age of 85.

Grand Prix Stats

Race Entries	7
Race Starts	5
Did Not Start	0
Best Race Start	14th
Best Race Finish	10th
Retirements	2
First-Lap Retirements	0
Not Classified	0
Disqualified	0
Did Not Qualify	2

Qualifying

Qualifying Sessions	7
Reached Q3	0
Q2 Eliminations	0
Q1 Eliminations	0
Did Not Qualify	2

Complete Formula One World Championship results

Year	Entrant	Chassis	Engine	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	WDC	Points
1954	Christy	Lesovsky	Offenhauser L4	ARG	500 DNQ	BEL	FRA	GBR	GER	SUI	ITA	ESP			NC	0
1955	Dean Van Lines	Kuzma Indy Roadster	Dodge V8	ARG	MON	500 DNQ	BEL	NED	GBR	ITA					NC	0
1956	Helse / H.H. Johnson	Kurtis Kraft 500D	Offenhauser L4	ARG	MON	500 13	BEL	FRA	GBR	GER	ITA				NC	0
1957	Jones & Maley Cars	Kurtis Kraft 500C	Offenhauser L4	ARG	MON	500 13	FRA	GBR	GER	PES	ITA				NC	0
1958	Federal Engineering	Kurtis Kraft 500C	Offenhauser L4	ARG	MON	NED	500 14	BEL	FRA	GBR	GER	POR	ITA	MOR	NC	0
1959	Federal Engineering	Kurtis Kraft 500C	Offenhauser L4	MON	500 25	NED	FRA	GBR	GER	POR	ITA	USA			NC	0
1960	Federal Engineering	Kurtis Kraft 500C	Offenhauser L4	ARG	MON	500 10	NED	BEL	FRA	GBR	POR	ITA	USA		NC	0