Théodore Pilette | |||||||
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Born | Théodore Eugène Pilette 8 September 1883 Saint-Gilles, Brussels, Belgium | ||||||
Died | 13 May 1921 37) Steinfort, Capellen, Luxembourg | (aged||||||
Champ Car career | |||||||
1 race run over 1 year | |||||||
First race | 1913 Indianapolis 500 (Indianapolis) | ||||||
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Théodore Eugène Pilette (8 September 1883 – 13 May 1921)[1] was a Belgian racing driver. He started racing in 1903 and 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).
Pilette was the importer in Belgium for Bugatti and Mercedes. His concession, Etablissements Pilette, was located Rue Veydt in Brussels.[2]
Pilette died on his way back from the Mercedes factory in a road accident near Capellen with his mechanic, Bruyère. 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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References
- ↑ "Motorsport Memorial - Theo Pilette". Motorsport Memorial. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
- ↑ "Inventaire du patrimoine architectural".