Ralph started racing as long ago as 1898, as a teenager on motorcycles, before becoming a test driver for the Allen-Kingston motoring company. DePalma then became of his era's best board-track racers, winning the 1915 Indianapolis 500. His career lasted for aeons, and he then raced sprint cars in the late 1920's and then stock-cars throughout the 1930's and subsequently later became a track referee. Ralph also established a manufacturing company in Detroit, which built engines for cars and planes and worked as a consultant to the petroleum industry. He was also an aviation instructor, including to pilots fighting in World War One.

Biography last updated 22 Aug 2022