1919 Ballot Indy Racer

The French-based Ballot company initially built engines for European car manufacturers. Beginning in 1918, they built automobiles until 1931 when the company was taken over by Hispano-Suiza. Brothers Edouard and Maurice Ballot built four cars to compete in the first post-World War I edition of the Indianapolis 500. The engines powering their cars were straight-eight 5-liter engines with dual overhead cams, inspired by the Peugeot Voiturette, and designed and built with the help of Swiss engineer Ernest Henry. One of the cars placed 4th while another finished in 11th place. Encouraged by this success, Ballot returned a year later, and one example, driven by Rene Thomas, finished in second place.

by Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2019