Théodore Pilette
Belgian racing driver (1883–1921)
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Théodore Eugène Pilette (8 September 1883 – 13 May 1921)[1] was a Belgian racing driver and businessman. He started racing in 1903.
8 September 1883
| Théodore Pilette | |||||||
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.jpg) Pilette in 1914 | |||||||
| Born | Théodore Eugène Pilette 8 September 1883 Saint-Gilles, Brussels, Belgium | ||||||
| Died | 13 May 1921 (aged 37) | ||||||
| Champ Car career | |||||||
| 1 race run over 1 year | |||||||
| First race | 1913 Indianapolis 500 (Indianapolis) | ||||||
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Pilette was the importer in Belgium for Bugatti and Mercedes, the brand of Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft. His concession, Etablissements Pilette, was located Rue Veydt in Brussels.[2]
Pilette was the first Belgian to race at the Indianapolis 500, competing in the 1913 event with his works Mercedes-Knight, Pilette was among the first Europe-based drivers to travel from overseas for the race. Despite having the smallest engine, he took fifth place, averaging 68.148 mph (109.674 km/h) over the 500 miles (800 km).
In the 1914 French Grand Prix won 1-2-3 by Mercedes, he drove one of two additional Mercedes that did not finish.
Pilette died on his way back from the Stuttgart Mercedes factory in a road accident near Capellen with his mechanic, Bruyère.[citation needed] He was the father of auto racer André Pilette, and grandfather of racer Teddy Pilette.
Motorsports career results
Indianapolis 500 results
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