Louis Rigolly ? first to 100mph

[sabat]

I bumped into this article and thought some folks here might enjoy it. Weird engine with 2 pistons per cylinder - coming together...

https://www.theautopian.com/its-sort-of-baffling-that-the-first-driver-and-car-to-break-100-mph-arent-better-known-on-their-120th-anniversary/

[TrickyDicky]

I somehow missed this when it was posted but have caught up now.

The author has done some impressive research with one crucial (given the headline) mistake. 

So why don?t we know that, on March 31, 1904, Louis Rigolly was the first person to break 100 mph in a Gobron-Brilli??

is unfortunately not correct.  Yes Rigolly was probably the first to officially set a 100+mph record, but not on that date.

In an event in Nice, France on March 31, 1904, Louis Rigolly set a record of "only" 94.78mph.

This was soon beaten. Then on July 20, 1904, Rigolly set his 103.56mph record in Ostend.  So we can celebrate the 120th anniversary in a couple of months time. 

Why do I say Rigolly was *probably* the first to officially set a 100+mph record?  Well, Paul Baras (Darracq Gordon Bennett) made a two-way run at 101.68mph to be placed second at the same event in Ostend.  I have been unable to establish the order of runs so there is a possibility that Baras was first to 100mph by a few minutes or an hour or so.  Unless someone in Belgium is sitting on the detailed results of the 1904 Ostend Motor Week, we will probably never know.

If you like anniversaries, there are quite a few centenaries coming up.  1924 was a busy year in the land speed record business.

      

[PorkPie]

the 103 mph record was set on the

21 July 1904

small typo

[MAYOMAN]

Correct land speed record history is very important. Thanks to everyone researching the details and giving credit to those pioneers at the turn of the century when the world was literally driven by HORSEpower. The evolution of that mechanical horsepower over 100-plus years is also important. Battery electric, steam, piston, gas turbine, rocket and

[TrickyDicky]

the 103 mph record was set on the

21 July 1904

small typo

I am aware that most sources state 21 July.  However, it was reported in a French newspaper (dated 21 July) in an article about events on 20 July.  In those days newspapers sometimes did report events on the same day they were published, but my judgement is that it is unlikely in this case.

As I understand it, the record was set during the Ostend Motor Week.  Many reports tend to summarise the whole week, rather than giving a day-by-day account.  It is therefore difficult to be sure what happened on each day, so my interpretation might well be incorrect.

Thomas: do you have any evidence you regard as definitive?

[PorkPie]

Sure

this is a sreenshot of the original, today FIA, record book

this book was used up to 1947

[TrickyDicky]

Thanks Thomas.

But how do we know that the FIA publication is correct?  If the FIA says 21 July but the event actually took place on 20 July what should we do?

In principle, we might apply to the FIA to correct their records.  It worked with Al Teague's km speed (eventually) but not sure they would be open to re-examining a much less clear cut issue.

[TrickyDicky]

Sure

this is a screenshot of the original, today FIA, record book

this book was used up to 1947

It's interesting that the FIA recognised Barney Oldfield's 23 March 1910 record given how many American records were not accepted by the AIACR at this time.

[Stainless1]

Well the FIA is what it is..... Like Yul said in the 10 Commandments, "So shall it be written, so shall it be done"... Like the Pharaoh in Eygpt, they have absolute power in their realm...

[PorkPie]

this book of records has some more surprises......