Percy Edgar Lambert (1881-1913), racing driver who was killed in a record attempt
1881 Born the son of Charles and Sarah Lambert and brother of Harold Charles Lambert
1911 Living at 9 Pimlico Road, Pimlico, London: Sarah Lambert (age 68 born Bath), House Furnisher - Widow. With her four children; Annie B. Lambert (age 36 born Bath); Harold C. Lambert (age 33 born Chelsea), Automobile Engineer; Percy E. Lambert (age 29 born Pimlico), Automobile Engineer; Eva M. L. Lambert (age 27 born Pimlico), Short-hand Typist.[1]
On 15th February 1913, Percy Lambert was the first man to cover 100 miles in an hour in a 25 hp 4.5 litre side-valve Talbot car.
He was a director of the Talbot Motor Co
1913 he and his brother, Harold Charles Lambert, entered vehicle manufacturing and jointly formed the Lambert Light Car Co
1913 February 15th. First to complete 100 miles in an hour (103 miles 1,470 yards). Completed in a 25hp Talbot.[2]The world record for the first person to cover 100 miles in 1 hour was set by Percy E. Lambert at Brooklands, on 15 February 1913 when driving his 4.5 litre side-valve Talbot. He actually covered 103 miles, 1,470 yards in 60 minutes. Other records also broken.[3] A contemporary film of his exploits on that day can be viewed at the Brooklands Museum.
The following October his record was broken. While trying to regain his land speed record from Peugeot at Brooklands he was killed on 31 October 1913. 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 to marry his fiancee and give up racing. See 1913/10/31 Brooklands Record Attempts for report of the accident.
He was buried in a streamlined coffin to match his car at Brompton Cemetery, London.
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."
Obituary.[4]
See Also
Sources of Information
- ↑ 1911 Census
- ↑ The Autocar 1913/02/22
- ↑ The Times, Monday, Apr 14, 1913
- ↑ The Autocar 1913/11/08