Théodore Pilette

This article is about the Belgian auto racer born in 1883. For his grandson, the Belgian auto racer born in 1942, see Teddy Pilette.

Théodore Eugène Pilette (8 September 1883 – 13 May 1921) 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).

Théodore Pilette
Pilette in 1914
Born	Théodore Eugène Pilette (1883-09-08)8 September 1883 Saint-Gilles, Brussels, Belgium
Died	13 May 1921(1921-05-13) (aged 37) Steinfort, Capellen, Luxembourg
Champ Car career
1 race run over 1 year
First race	1913 Indianapolis 500 (Indianapolis)
Wins Podiums Poles 0 0 0

Pilette was the importer in Belgium for Bugatti and Mercedes. His concession, Etablissements Pilette, was located Rue Veydt in Brussels.

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

Year	Car	Start	Qual	Rank	Finish	Laps	Led	Retired
1913	23	13	75.520	27	5	200	0	Running
Totals						200	0

Starts	1
Poles	0
Front Row	0
Wins	0
Top 5	1
Top 10	1
Retired	0