Henri Tart

28/5/1868 - 0/5/1943

Record updated 29-Jul-20

Born on 1868 in Orleans, Henri was interested in sports at a very young age. In 1886 at the age of 18, he won his first cycling race in Angers. He then switched to motorsports according to the the Automobile Club de France.

In 1899, he participated in the Criterium de les motorcycles at Étampes, and a few years later he was seen in the first automobile Tour de France behind the wheel of a deDion Bouton. 

The following year he also participated at the Criterium des Voitures with a Clément and in 1902 at the Kilometer de Deauville. In 1904 he changed stables and started driving for Panhard & Levassor. At the time the reputation of this manufacturer on the tracks was at the same level as that of Mercedes or Ferrari currently. He also participated in the mythical Vanderbild cup in New York where he finished 6th position.

In the 24h of Le Mans race in 1906, Henri Tart retired on the 4th lap with mechanical trouble. Panhard & Levassor stopped racing in 1908 following the death of one of their drivers at the Grand Prix of Dieppe.