Percy Lambert - 1st person to travel over 100 miles in one hour. Uploader: Andys Video
Original upload date: Fri, 08 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT
Archive date: Thu, 02 Dec 2021 19:46:42 GMT
The history of Brooklands is one of pushing the limits, with countless records being established there. Percy Lambert was the first person to travel over 100 miles in one hour in the world. He did it
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on the Brooklands Circuit on the 15th February 1913, driving a 125 hp "Invincible Talbot". Percy first raced at Brooklands in 1910 aged 29 and in his tragically short carrier he became a popular driver, winning seven races and being placed in six more.
Percy was aware of the dangers of going so fast and promised his Fiancée now he had the record he would give it all up. Unfortunately a few days later a Frenchman went faster and he pleaded with her for 'one last attempt' to get the record back. Supported as always by brother Harold, the attempt was made on October 21st, 1913. For the first 20 laps he averaged 110 mph, enough to give him a chance at claiming the record back. On the 21st lap a rear tyre disintegrated on the members banking, the Talbot crashed and rolled down the banking. Percy died on the way to the Weybridge Cottage Hospital.
He is buried at Brompton Cemetery in the Old Brompton Road London. His gravestone is inscribed: "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. October 21st, 1913". Percy is said to haunt Brooklands (now a successful Museum). Many people having claimed to have seen his headless body, wandering through the site. The Museum operates 'Torch Light' tours and the one on Hallowe'en 2013 promises to be a good one as it will be exactly 100 years since Percy so tragically left us.
If you would like to see the centenary celebration go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9IwbE1oIbM&feature=share&list=PLD60750C987B6AE0D
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