Thomas was born on 7 March 1886 in Périgueux, France.
Thomas' winning car from the 1914 Indianapolis 500
A leading driver in his native France, Thomas traveled to the United States to compete in the Indianapolis 500 on four occasions. He won the 1914 Indianapolis 500 on his inaugural try driving a Delage.[4]
Thomas was given leave from the French Army during World War I so he could continue to race.[4] Laminated spring steel steering wheels were manufactured in the inter-war period engraved with Thomas' portrait and signature and were used particularly on Delage motorcars, but also by racing driver Jean Chassagne on his winning 1922 TT Sunbeam.[5]
Thomas, during his land speed record run
On 6 July 1924 at Arpajon, France, Thomas set a new world land speed record when he drove a Delage at 143.31 mph (230.64 km/h).
On 28 May 1973, Thomas returned to Indianapolis to drive his winning Delage in a series of parade laps, prior to the start of the 1973 Indianapolis 500. Although he did not drive the car himself, he did sit in the seat where the riding mechanic would sit.
Thomas died on 23 September 1975 in Paris, France, at age 89.[3]
Aviationedit
Beginning around 1910 Thomas flew airplanes for the Antoinette company whose president was Leon Levavasseur. 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 Scottish aviator Captain Bertram Dickson. Thomas miraculously was not seriously injured but Dickson suffered internal injuries and never fully recovered, eventually dying in 1913.
^Champagne|Berceau De L'Aviation Du Monde: Rene Thomas
^ ab"Rene Thomas, 1914 Indianapolis Winner, Is Dead. French Racing Driver Who Set Record of 82.4mph With a Delage Was 89". New York Times. 25 September 1975. Retrieved 2 October 2012. Rene Thomas, the French racing driver who won the Indianapolis 500 in 1914, died here yesterday. He was 89 years old.
^ ab"Rene Thomas Coming Here To Race. Famous French Driver Gets Leave From Army. One of the Most Resourceful Pilots in the World". Boston Globe. 27 February 1916. Archived from the original on 1 February 2013. Retrieved 2 October 2012. The internationally famed Rene Thomas, winner of the 1914 500-mile international sweepstakes race, has been given freedom from military service in France and will drive, May 30, in the sixth annal international sweepstakes race at ...
rené, thomas, racing, driver, this, article, about, french, auto, racer, other, people, rené, thomas, disambiguation, rené, alfred, thomas, march, 1886, september, 1975, french, racing, driver, thomas, also, pioneer, aviator, 1914, indianapolis, rené, thomasth. This article is about the French auto racer For other people see Rene Thomas disambiguation Rene Alfred Thomas 7 March 1886 23 September 1975 was a French racing driver 1 Thomas was also a pioneer aviator 2 He won the 1914 Indianapolis 500 3 Rene ThomasThomas at the 1914 Indianapolis 500BornRene Alfred Thomas 1886 03 07 7 March 1886Perigueux Dordogne FranceDied23 September 1975 1975 09 23 aged 89 Colombes Hauts de Seine FranceChampionship titlesMajor victories Indianapolis 500 1914 Champ Car career4 races run over 4 yearsBest finish6th 1920 First race1914 Indianapolis 500 Indianapolis Last race1921 Indianapolis 500 Indianapolis First win1914 Indianapolis 500 Indianapolis Wins Podiums Poles1 2 1 Contents 1 Biography 2 Aviation 3 Motorsports career results 3 1 Indianapolis 500 results 4 ReferencesBiography editThomas was born on 7 March 1886 in Perigueux France nbsp Thomas winning car from the 1914 Indianapolis 500 A leading driver in his native France Thomas traveled to the United States to compete in the Indianapolis 500 on four occasions He won the 1914 Indianapolis 500 on his inaugural try driving a Delage 4 Thomas was given leave from the French Army during World War I so he could continue to race 4 Laminated spring steel steering wheels were manufactured in the inter war period engraved with Thomas portrait and signature and were used particularly on Delage motorcars but also by racing driver Jean Chassagne on his winning 1922 TT Sunbeam 5 nbsp Thomas during his land speed record run On 6 July 1924 at Arpajon France Thomas set a new world land speed record when he drove a Delage at 143 31 mph 230 64 km h On 28 May 1973 Thomas returned to Indianapolis to drive his winning Delage in a series of parade laps prior to the start of the 1973 Indianapolis 500 Although he did not drive the car himself he did sit in the seat where the riding mechanic would sit nbsp Thomas taking a ceremonial lap ahead of the 1973 Indianapolis 500 Thomas died on 23 September 1975 in Paris France at age 89 3 Aviation editBeginning around 1910 Thomas flew airplanes for the Antoinette company whose president was Leon Levavasseur 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 Scottish aviator Captain Bertram Dickson Thomas miraculously was not seriously injured but Dickson suffered internal injuries and never fully recovered eventually dying in 1913 Motorsports career results editIndianapolis 500 results edit Year Car Start Qual Rank Finish Laps Led Retired 1914 16 15 94 540 4 1 200 102 Running 1919 31 1 104 700 1 11 200 0 Running 1920 25 18 93 950 5 2 200 12 Running 1921 15 17 83 750 21 10 144 0 Water hose Totals 744 114 Starts 4 Poles 1 Front Row 1 Wins 1 Top 5 2 Top 10 3 Retired 1References edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rene Thomas OldRacingCars com Rene Thomas Champagne Berceau De L Aviation Du Monde Rene Thomas a b Rene Thomas 1914 Indianapolis Winner Is Dead French Racing Driver Who Set Record of 82 4mph With a Delage Was 89 New York Times 25 September 1975 Retrieved 2 October 2012 Rene Thomas the French racing driver who won the Indianapolis 500 in 1914 died here yesterday He was 89 years old a b Rene Thomas Coming Here To Race Famous French Driver Gets Leave From Army One of the Most Resourceful Pilots in the World Boston Globe 27 February 1916 Archived from the original on 1 February 2013 Retrieved 2 October 2012 The internationally famed Rene Thomas winner of the 1914 500 mile international sweepstakes race has been given freedom from military service in France and will drive May 30 in the sixth annal international sweepstakes race at Motor Sport amp Clutton 1948 P 77 Preceded byJules Goux Indianapolis 500 Winner1914 Succeeded byRalph DePalma Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Rene Thomas racing driver amp oldid 1220484115, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
