enginehistory.org

[abruun]

You often read that the 28 August 1909 Gordon Bennett Trophy was the first air race. This is not true, there was actually an entire season of airracing in 1909, and there were several smaller events before.

The world's first air race was held on 23 May 1909 at Port-Aviation, south of Paris. Four pilots entered. Léon Delagrange, flying an Antoinette-engined Voisin, did not complete the course, but was declared the winner.

Read more about the roots of air racing at the Record & Racing Aircraft Special Interest Group website (www.ipmsairrace.org)! We will be making some articles from our newsletter Bent Throttles available as part of the celebrations.

Anders

[fbarrett]

Anders:

Thanks for the historic information. I trust that Voisin's aircraft were at least as interesting as his cars? Do any survive? Voisin cars are quite rare, but I've been lucky enough to have seen one or two. Have you read his book, Men, Women, and 1,000 Kites?

Frank

[abruun]

To be honest I don't think the Voisin planes were so exciting... I know that one is preserved in Belgium - see these great drawings that were made during the restoration http://www.bamfbamrs.be/Doc/Dragan-redpass.pdf !
You aren't the first to mention that book - I must get it !
Anders