Racing with a Knight

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There is a lot more to tell about yesterday’s quiz. The advantages and drawbacks of the Knight design were a subject of controversial debate among automobilists and engineers at the time. An advantage was its smoothness, quietness and refinement. In addition, in the 500 to 1500 rpm range Knight engines developed a higher output than conventional power plants of equal size. But the Knight principle had not only advantages. For example, the sleeve-valve engines needed much effort and expense for design and manufacture and called for an extremely sensitive hand in operation. Despite the technical limitations of the operating principle, there were even racing cars featuring Knight engines. The most remarkable achievement was Belgian Mercedes agent Theodor Pilette who entered the Indianapolis 500 on 30 May 1913. His 16/45 hp Mercedes-Knight had the smallest displacement of any car entered in the field and barely managed to qualify. And yet Pilette finished the race in fifth place after seven hours and 19 minutes, without making a pit stop. In the years 1912 and 1913, in Mercedes-Knight cars Pilette's countryman Léon Elskamp (click main photo) won a number of races and placed well in others. Here he is photographed at the Grand Prix of the Belgian Automobile Club, 24/25 August 1913 with his 16/45 hp Mercedes-Knight.
(text and photo courtesy Daimler AG)

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