Théodore Pilette

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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

Théodore Eugène Pilette (8 September 1883 – 13 May 1921)^[1] 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).

Pilette was the importer in Belgium for Bugatti and Mercedes. His concession, Etablissements Pilette, was located Rue Veydt in Brussels.^[2]

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.