René Thomas (auto racing)
Encyclopedia
René Thomas was a French
motor racing champion. Thomas was also a pioneer aviator
.
A leading driver in his native France, René Thomas traveled to the United States
to compete in the Indianapolis 500
on four occasions. He won the prestigious race on his inaugural try in 1914 driving a Delage
.
On July 6, 1924 at Arpajon
, France, Thomas set a new world land speed record
when he drove a Delage 143.31 mph (230.64 km/h).
He died on September 23, 1975.
. Hubert Latham
was one of Thomas's fellow Antoinette test pilots. Thomas competed in early aviation competitions throughout Europe. In Milan
Italy in October 1910 Thomas was involved in the world's first mid-air collision when his Antoinette
monoplane fell onto the Farman
biplane of England's Captain Bertram Dickson. Thomas miraculously wasn't seriously injured but Dickson suffered internal injuries and never fully recovered and died in 1913.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
motor racing champion. Thomas was also a pioneer aviator
Aviator
An aviator is a person who flies an aircraft. The first recorded use of the term was in 1887, as a variation of 'aviation', from the Latin avis , coined in 1863 by G. de la Landelle in Aviation Ou Navigation Aérienne...
.
Biography
He was born on March 7, 1886.A leading driver in his native France, René Thomas traveled to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
to compete in the Indianapolis 500
Indianapolis 500
The Indianapolis 500-Mile Race, also known as the Indianapolis 500, the 500 Miles at Indianapolis, the Indy 500 or The 500, is an American automobile race, held annually, typically on the last weekend in May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana...
on four occasions. He won the prestigious race on his inaugural try in 1914 driving a Delage
Delage
Delage was a French luxury automobile and racecar company founded in 1905 by Louis Delage in Levallois-Perret near Paris; it was acquired by Delahaye in 1935 and ceased operation in 1953.-History:...
.
On July 6, 1924 at Arpajon
Arpajon
Arpajon is a commune in the Essonne department in Île-de-France in northern France.Seat of the canton, the commune is located south of Paris, accessible by the N20, and to in the north of Étampes...
, France, Thomas set a new world land speed record
Land speed record
The land speed record is the highest speed achieved by a wheeled vehicle on land. There is no single body for validation and regulation; in practice the Category C flying start regulations are used, officiated by regional or national organizations under the auspices of the Fédération...
when he drove a Delage 143.31 mph (230.64 km/h).
He died on September 23, 1975.
Aviation
Beginning around 1910 Thomas flew airplanes for the Antoinette company whose president was Leon LevavasseurLéon Levavasseur
Léon Levavasseur was a powerplant engineer, aircraft designer and inventor. His innovations included the V8 engine, direct fuel injection, and evaporative engine cooling...
. Hubert Latham
Hubert Latham
Arthur Charles Hubert Latham was a French aviation pioneer. He was the first person to attempt to cross the English Channel in an aeroplane...
was one of Thomas's fellow Antoinette test pilots. Thomas competed in early aviation competitions throughout Europe. In Milan
Milan
Milan is the second-largest city in Italy and the capital city of the region of Lombardy and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while its urban area, roughly coinciding with its administrative province and the bordering Province of Monza and Brianza ,...
Italy in October 1910 Thomas was involved in the world's first mid-air collision when his Antoinette
Antoinette VII
|-See also:* Antoinette III* Antoinette IV* Antoinette V* Antoinette VI* Antoinette military monoplane-References:* World Aircraft Information Files. Brightstar Publishing: London. File 889 Sheet 63....
monoplane fell onto the Farman
Farman III
|-See also:-Bibliography:*Opdycke, Leonard E French Aeroplanes Before the Great War Atglen, PA: Schiffer 1999 ISBN 0 7643 0752 5-External links:**...
biplane of England's Captain Bertram Dickson. Thomas miraculously wasn't seriously injured but Dickson suffered internal injuries and never fully recovered and died in 1913.
Indy 500 results
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