Louis Wagner
Louis Wagner ( born February 5, 1882 in Le Pré -Saint -Gervais, † March 13, 1960 in Montlhery ) was a French racing driver.
Career
Louis Wagner racing career is closely associated with the development of the automobile, which makes the French to a historical figure in the history of the automobile. Even in the last years of the 19th century, he went first, albeit brief, road race. He celebrated his first victory in 1903 when he won his class on a Darracq at Curcuit des Ardennes at Bastogne. In 1904 he was part of the factory team of Darracq, the Eighth was the Gordon Bennett Cup.
In 1906 he won the Vanderbilt Cup in 1907 and fifth at the Emperor's Prize. Its historical importance was the Frenchman by his victory at the Grand Prix of America, 1908. It was the first Grand Prix on American soil and the first Fourth of motorsport history.
In 1914, he had just defeated Christian Friedrich Lautenschlager at the French Grand Prix and was in the 1920s alongside Giuseppe Campari and Felice Nazzaro for the works team of Alfa Romeo.
Louis Wagner, who on a Ballot and the 500-mile race at Indianapolis was in 1919 at the start, won in 1926 the first Grand Prix of Great Britain.
Twice he was also in the 24- hour race at Le Mans at the start. In 1925 he was on a Ariès sixth, but dropped out a year later due to a technical defect. He died in 1960, aged 78 years, at his home near the circuit of Montlhery.