Started racing in 1906 and in 1908 raced (and indeed won in) the very first supercharged racing car. Won many hillclimbs and later became a works driver for Benz and Duesenberg. Haupt also worked as an aircraft engineer, working in the Philadelphia Navy Yard in the aircraft engine division, but also for his own business, Haupt & Shaffer Co., which was also based in Pennsylvania. Haupt was the son of two German immigrants who moved over to America in 1864. He was also general manager of the Bergdoll Motor Company. A pioneer of the racing scene in America, he was also one of the early aviaators, flying in aviation meetings as early as 1909 in Louis Bergdoll's monoplane. He became so proficient he was an early aviation instructor.

Biography last updated 22 Aug 2022