Kleiner’s Korner: UPDATE: Part 1 - Motorcycles Used during the Vanderbilt Cup Races and on The Motor Parkway
Ever since the first Vanderbilt Cup Race was run in 1904, members of various motorcycle clubs were used to help manage the races and man the course. And while The Motor Parkway was being built, they saw the value of it as a venue for their own races. This post will detail the roles motorcyclists played in the race and the appreciation shown by the organizers. Future posts will provide information and pictures of motorcycle racing on the Motor Parkway. Unless otherwise noted, documentation courtesy of Motorcycle Illustrated, November 1, 1908 and Bicycle World and Motorcycle Review (various issues). Photo courtesy of Gary Hammond.
Art Kleiner
1904 - 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Races
The Federation of American Motorcyclists provided the necessary riders in 1904.
Some motorcyclists reported a "peculiar experience"!
In 1905 the Brooklyn Motorcycle Club provided support. Various duties were assigned to the 20 members participating.
The Club was recognized by Secretary Batchelder of the Vanderbilt Cup Commission.
The Brooklyn Motorcycle Club once again provided assistance in 1906.
1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race (Detroit Public Library). Note the 1906 course map in the background.
1908+ Vanderbilt Cup Races
Fourteen cyclists of the American Federation of American Cyclists (under the direction of President Earle L. Ovington) were used in various capacities during and after the race. (Motorcycle Illustrated, Nov. 1, 1908)
As a means of communicating accidents and delays during the race . . . ensuring racing rules were followed and flagman were performing their duties . . . providing assistance at the grandstand
1909 Race (Courtesy of Gary Hammond)
Ensuring crowd control when the deputy sheriff and the Irish Volunteers couldn't . . .
accomplished by driving at full speed within two feet of the edge of the parkway thereby keeping the onlookers at bay. And escorting the winning cars back to the grandstand from Bethpage.
Ovington directed the cyclists that included Glen Curtiss riding his own machine with others in the cycling world driving machines including the Indian, Big Four, and Marsh-Metz.
Glen Curtiss (The New York Times, Mar. 26, 1911)
Appreciation by Jefferson De Mont Thompson
The assistance provided by the cyclists was noted particularly when they communicated accidents, such as when eventual winner, George Robertson in "Old 16" left the course on the final lap and then announced that "Number 16 is going again".
Race officials officially noted the cyclists assistance in a letter from A.A.A. chair Thompson to Ovington.
Coming Up . . .
The next part of this series will detail the motorcyclist's interest in the development of the Long Island Motor Parkway and its use as a race venue.
Comments
No doubt the cyclists played a major role during the race events.
From Art Kleiner:
Information pertaining to the participation of motorcyclists in the 1904, 1905 and 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Races has been added at the beginning of this post.