Henri Rougier

Henri Louis Rougier
Born	(1876-10-28) October 28, 1876 Marseille, France
Died	July 1956
Occupation(s)	Athlete, aviator, automobile dealer
Known for	Winner of the first Monte Carlo Rally; early aviation pioneer; Turcat-Méry representative
Notable work	Founder of Rougier automobile brand; aviation exhibitions and competitions participant

Henri Louis Rougier (28 October 1876 – July 1956) was a distinguished French athlete, early aviation pioneer, and automobile dealer, renowned for securing victory in the first-ever Monte Carlo Rally behind the wheel of a Turcat-Méry. He was a frequent participant in 'City to City' competitions as well as Grand Prix events.

On 18 November 1909, Rougier earned Aviator's Certificate number 11 from the Aéro-Club de France. Between 1909 and 1910, he achieved notable success competing in aviation exhibitions and Grand Prix contests throughout Europe.

Acting as the Paris representative for Turcat-Méry, Rougier capitalized on his racing achievements to enhance the brand’s reputation. Following World War I, he produced a small series of automobiles under his own name, utilizing Turcat-Méry chassis but incorporating mechanical upgrades and bespoke coach-built bodies.

His accolades included being named Chevalier of the Légion d'honneur, receiving the Croix de Guerre, and obtaining the 'Medal of Aeronautics'.

Family life

Rougier was born in Marseille on 28 October 1876.

Motor racing

As the principal dealer for Turcat-Méry automobiles, Rougier employed motor racing both as a platform for technical innovation and as a marketing tool.

In May 1903, he achieved 11th place overall and ranked 9th within the heavy car category at the Paris-Madrid race, driving a 45-horsepower Turcat-Méry.

On 17 June 1904, Rougier secured third place in the Gordon Bennett Cup held in Germany, completing the course in six hours and forty-six minutes with a 45-horsepower Turcat-Méry.

In 1905, he set the fastest lap time at the Circuit des Ardennes event in Bastogne while driving a Lorraine-Dietrich.

Rougier once again finished third at the 1906 Circuit des Ardennes in a Lorraine-Dietrich, recording a time of five hours and fifty minutes. He also participated in the first 1906 French Grand Prix, although he was not classified.

He competed in the 1907 French Grand Prix at Dieppe but withdrew after completing five laps.

In May 1908, Rougier took part in the Saint Petersburg–Moscow race but retired prematurely. Later that year at the French Grand Prix, he was forced to retire on the opening lap due to magneto failure.

In 1923, Rougier raced a 'Voisin Laboratoire' at both the French Grand Prix held in Tours and the Italian Grand Prix at Monza; however, he retired from both races after several laps.

Monte Carlo rally

In 1909, the Automobile Club de Monaco organized a rally with multiple starting points across Europe converging on Monte Carlo. In January 1911, twenty-three vehicles departed from eleven different locations; among them were nine cars leaving Paris, including Henri Rougier who covered a route of .

Rougier emerged victorious driving a Turcat-Méry 25 Hp. The rally evaluated not only driving skill but also factors such as vehicle elegance, passenger comfort, and condition upon arrival. Despite disputes over the final standings, Rougier was officially declared the inaugural winner.

Motor manufacture

Turcat-Méry originated in 1895 when Alphonse Méry began acquiring vehicles from Panhard-Levassor and Peugeot. His brother Simon Méry and brother-in-law Léon Turcat developed an enhanced 2.6-litre four-cylinder automobile featuring innovations such as electric ignition and twin radiators. They established Turcat-Méry & Cie in 1899 to commercialize this model.

Collaborating with Baron Adrien de Turckheim of De Dietrich/Lorraine-Dietrich fame, Turcat-Méry marketed their cars under the slogan The Car of the Connoisseur. Rougier acted as Paris agent and chief promoter for both marques until World War I interrupted their partnership. Production of Turcat-Méry vehicles ended in 1928.

After WWI, Rougier acquired a limited number of 1913/14 Turcat-Méry chassis which he upgraded with improved engines and fitted with Henri Perrot’s state-of-the-art four-wheel drum brakes. These chassis were then fitted with custom coachwork by companies such as Million Guillet based in Levallois-Perret and sold under the 'Rougier' brand.

Aviation

In 1909, Rougier obtained Aviator's Certificate number 11 from the Aéro-Club de France after completing his training on a Voisin biplane equipped with a Gnome Omega engine. That same year, he achieved victories in distance and altitude categories at Berlin’s first aviation Grand Prix, benefiting from the surge in public enthusiasm following Orville Wright’s exhibitions.

Rougier also earned altitude awards at Italy’s Brescia Air Show and participated successfully in competitions held in Frankfurt and Blackpool, where he placed second. He notably dominated several races in Antwerp. At the Heliopolis Air Show near Cairo, Egypt, he secured first place for total distance covered and second place for the longest continuous flight.

In January 1910, Rougier gained acclaim for daring flights over the Mediterranean Sea and around Mont Agel close to Monaco. He described a hazardous flight from Monaco to Nice amid strong winds that nearly compelled an emergency sea landing but concluded safely after encountering calmer weather conditions.

It is reported that in 1910 Rougier flew his Voisin aircraft in California; however, this likely refers to events near Nice rather than the American state.

Endurance flying

At a time when prolonged flights were remarkable feats, Rougier's endurance efforts were documented in Flight International magazine as follows:

• 12 September 1909: Voisin at Brescia – 1 hour 9 minutes
• 28 September 1909: Voisin at Johannisthal Air Field – 1 hour 20 minutes
• 29 September 1909: Voisin at Johannisthal Air Field – 1 hour 37 minutes
• 28 October 1909: Voisin at Antwerp – 1 hour 3 minutes
• 6 February 1910: Voisin at Heliopolis (suburb of Cairo), Egypt – 65 km
• 11 February 1910: Voisin at Heliopolis – 48 km

Aircraft manufacture

In 1910, Rougier joined forces with Antoine Odier and Raoul Vendôme to establish the Odier-Vendôme aeroplane company, which produced the Odier-Vendôme biplane. He piloted these planes at various venues including Issy-les-Moulineaux in France as well as Terni and Ghedi in Italy.

There is some suggestion that Rougier may have independently built a biplane bearing his name; however, available evidence is scarce and may instead depict a standard Voisin aircraft owned by him.

Death, honours and commemoration

Rougier retired to La Valette-du-Var near Toulon and passed away due to heart failure in July 1956.

He was awarded the title of Chevalier of the Légion d'honneur and was a recipient of both the Croix de Guerre and the Medal of Aeronautics.

Sources

Sources referenced by Philippe Callais in History of the 1911 Monte Carlo Rally

• Jean-François Jacob, "Monte-Carlo, 60 ans de rallyes", éditions Robert Laffont, 1973
• Maurice Louche, "Le rallye de Monte-Carlo au XXe siècle", éditions Maurice Louche, 2001
• Marc-Antoine Collin, "Hotchkiss et le rallye de Monte-Carlo", Automobilia n°22, février 1998

External links

• Leif Snellman – Hans Etzrodt's list of Grand Prix winners 1895–1949