René Thomas (March 7, 1886 – September 23, 1975) was a French motor racing champion.[1] Thomas was also a pioneer aviator.[2]
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He was born on March 7, 1886.
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.
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 England's Captain Bertram Dickson. Thomas miraculously wasn't seriously injured but Dickson suffered internal injuries and never fully recovered and died in 1913.
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| Preceded by Jules Goux |
Indianapolis 500 Winner 1914 |
Succeeded by Ralph DePalma |