Percy Edgar Lambert (1881 - 31 October 1913) was the first person to drive an automobile a hundred miles in an hour.
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He was born in 1881, the son of Charles and Sarah Lambert.
The record was set at Brooklands on 15 February 1913 when driving his 4.5 litre sidevalve Talbot. He actually covered 103 miles and 1470 yards in sixty minutes. There is a film of his exploits at the Brooklands Museum which was made on that day.
Lambert was killed at Brooklands on 31 October 1913, while trying to regain his land speed record from Peugeot. He averaged over 110 mph for the first 120 laps but a rear tyre disintegrated and Percy was killed. This happened two weeks before Percy was due to marry his fiancee and give up racing.
He was buried in a streamlined coffin to match his car at Brompton Cemetery, London.[1]
His Epitaph read: A modest friend, a fine gentleman and a thorough sportsman. The first man to cover 100 miles in one hour. Killed by accident at Brooklands Motor Racing Track whilst attempting further records.
On his final record-breaking attempt, Percy Lambert covered 20 laps (not 120, as currently stated) before his rear tyre burst, sending the car out of control and causing his death.