After losing engine power in the traffic pattern a Pitts pilot made an emergency landing in the ramp area of the airport that resulted in collapsed landing gear.

Narrative

The preflight inspection was routine. I did a visual inspection of the fuel tank with a dip stick and measured six and one half gallons of fuel (approximately 1 hour of fuel). I was planning on a less than twenty minute flight. I taxied out and remained in the pattern at all times. I was planning on three touch and goes. Flight conditions were ideal with minimal winds. One other plane (C172) was in the pattern doing full stop landings. After the second landing; I gave full power on the upwind (estimated at 250 feet) and the engine lost power. I estimated being approximately 80% down Runway XX.I immediately radioed the other plane in the pattern that I lost power and was going to make an emergency landing. He acknowledged my call and said that he would stay clear. Simultaneously; I waggled the airplane wings (thinking fuel blockage) and the engine recovered for a few seconds. This allowed me to make a ninety degree right turn. One more waggle allowed a brief recovery of approximately two seconds which allowed me to complete my turn. I'm now heading back to the field. The engine never recovered again. I could see a clear wide tarmac taxi area on the northeast side of the runway. I pushed the nose down to obtain the best airspeed (which requires a steep angle). I flared as I hit my target area and made a hard landing which collapsed the fixed gear. I then skidded approximately 241 feet onto a grassy area between the taxiway and the north end of the runway. I removed myself from the plane and moved away from the area.After observing for a short time; I returned to the airplane and re-measured the main fuel tank with the dip stick. It measured approximately one inch of fuel. I walked to the FBO office at midfield and was evaluated by EMS. I was released and advised to go to hospital for X-rays. (I complied later)The problem suggests fuel starvation. The cause of the fuel exhaustion is hard to ID. It could be a blockage; leak; miss-calibration; or fuel pump failure. Solution: more fuel.