Jules Goux And The 1913 Indianapolis 500

By Sigur Whitaker
Among the foreign entries for the 1913 Indianapolis 500 was Jules Goux driving a blue Peugeot. He was part of the engineering team of Georges Boillot and Paul Zuccarelli who designed the L 7.6 Peugeot which had the reputation for being “the fastest car in Europe.” With a 7.6-liter engine delivering 148 horsepower, the car, driven by Boillot, won the French Grand Prix. Boillot also set the record for the Mount Ventoux hill climb in 17 minutes and 46 seconds.
 
Goux, his teammate Zuccarelli, and a large contingent of Peugeot mechanics sailed from Havre, France on the French liner La France in early May 1913 and arrived in New York on May 10. Although they were expected to arrive in Indianapolis the next day, their departure from New York was delayed by numerous parties given by well-wishers. At long last, they arrived in Indianapolis on May 13 and were greeted at the train station by IMS general manager Charles Sedwick, Harry Stutz, H. L. Thompson, driver Billy Liesaw and R. C Liesaw. The entourage was treated to lunch at the Columbia Club prior to going to the Speedway. The next day, Goux practiced on the track and astonished those who witnessed his 87 mph speed. The record speed in 1912 was only 78 mph. The following day, they were out on the track and their tires were unable to handle the speeds of 90 mph going into the corners.
 
During practice at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the foreign cars had difficulty in negotiating the racecourse. Although offers of help were made by American racers, the Europeans were suspicious that the Americans might learn things about their cars which would benefit the competition. After several days of practice and experiencing tire failure, Goux, through an interpreter, asked Carl Fisher for recommendation of someone who could serve as a technical advisor. Fisher recommended Johnny Aitken, the former National Motor Vehicle Company driver. Arthur Newby was agreeable for Aitken, who was an engineer with National Motor, to be the technical advisor for Goux. After watching Goux practice, Aitken advised Goux that he was entering the corners too high and too fast. Additionally, Aitken recommended using different shocks and Firestone tires
 
Starting position was determined by a blind draw the night before the race. Twenty-seven drivers started the race, the fastest of which was Jack Tower in a Mason with a qualifying speed of 88.5 mph followed by Bragg in a Mercer with an average speed of 87.5 mph. With an average speed of 86.03 mph, Goux started in the middle of the second row in 7th position. Zuccarelli, whose qualifying speed was 85.83 mph, didn’t fare as well in the blind draw and started on the back row.
 
Before the start of the Indianapolis 500, after viewing the various trophies, Goux declared he would win all four of them. The initial pace at the beginning of the race was fast with the leaders driving at 90 mph. As with previous races, the tires were not capable of handling the high speeds and the heat in the 90s exacerbated the problem. The tire trouble started on the fourth lap when two cars experienced tire failure. Goux took the lead by the 20th mile. Leading on the 15th lap, Goux's car joined the list of those experiencing tire problems and he headed into the pits.
 
While his rear tires were being changed, Goux complained about the heat and said he would not be able to continue in the race without some wine during his next pit stop. The pit crew, led by Aitken, responded that wine wasn't possible. But Goux reiterated that without the wine, he would not be able to continue the race. With that, he roared back onto the track two laps down. The pit crew found out that there was an Alliance Francais group from Pittsburgh and New York cheering for the French racing team. This group was glad to provide a bucket of ice and perhaps six half splits of champagne.
 
Bob Burman, the leader at lap 55, made a pit stop for new tires. Although the tire change was done quickly, his engine stalled and the crew was unable to restart it. To get the car back on the racecourse, his team had to change the carburetor. This long pit stop handed the lead back to Goux. At 143 miles, Goux headed back into the pits as his tire was punctured. He was delighted to find that this team had some wine waiting for him. As the crew changed the two right tires, he and his riding mechanic drank some of the bubbly. Back onto the racetrack he went capturing the Remy Trophy for being in the lead at 200 miles.
 
At 250 miles, Goux’s car was five miles (two laps) ahead of Gil Anderson’s Stutz racer. And he continued to lead at 300 miles.
 
About 30 minutes later, Goux needed another tire change and headed back into the pits. In addition to the new tires, he added fuel to his car and drank more champagne. At 300 miles, he remained in the lead and won the Prest-O-Lite trophy. At 310 miles, he made another pit stop to have the right front tire changed—and again partook some wine. This pit stop cost him the lead. As he exited the pits, Anderson, driving a Stutz, had a 23 second lead. The Goux team thought that Anderson might not need another change of tires and gave Goux the signal to increase his speed to recapture first place. Increasing his speed to 90 mph, he retook the lead at lap 136. Shortly thereafter, Anderson’s car suffered a broken crankshaft and there were no challengers to the lead which had been built.
 
Crossing the finish line after completing the 500 miles in six hours, 35 minutes and 5 seconds, Goux became the first driver to complete the race without turning the wheel over to a relief driver. He finished the race with a margin of 13 minutes, 8 seconds ahead of the second place finisher, On the way to winning the Indianapolis 500, Goux captured the Wheeler-Schebler trophy for leading at the 400 mile mark as well as the L. Strauss and Sons trophy for winning the race. As he took his victory lap, Goux displayed both the American and French flags. In the picture of the winner, Goux in the Peugeot, is holding a bottle of champagne. The caption read, “Sans le bon vin, je ne serais pas etat de faire la victorie. » (Without the good wine, I would not have been able to win.) For his efforts, he was awarded $20,000.
 
Al Bloemker in his book 500 Miles To Go stated that during the race Goux and his riding mechanic drank six half-pints of champagne. Today, most people believe that Goux’s drinking six half-pints of champagne is an urban legend. Goux and his riding mechanic did drink some wine throughout the race, but estimates of the amount consumed is conjecture. What is known is that for the 1914 racing season, the American Automobile Association (AAA) banned the consumption of alcohol.