Vanderbilt Cup Races

An Upcoming Market for Speedways

Auto enthusiasts, drivers, real estate developers, manufacturers, bankers and other businessmen saw an opportunity for the building of automobile speedways.  Many of these projects were in New Jersey which appears to have been in competition with Long Island.   (Automobile Topics Apr. 8, 1905)

Projects in New Jersey and on Long Island were very much in the press.  (Automobile Topics Mar. 25, 1905)

Joe Tracy's Support of a NJ Vanderbilt Cup Race

Prior to the first Vanderbilt Cup Race on Long Island, Joe Tracy suggested two courses be developed between NJ and PA on which the the Vanderbilt Cup Race could be held - his reasoning was that this location could "arouse more general interest" than on Long Island.  (Motoring and Boating Jul 27 1904)

Tracy envisioned courses going through several towns between New York, Trenton and Philadelphia and would be 50 miles in length; racers would travel the course three times. 

A Different Approach in 1905

Another speedway (and automobile club) was planned in 1905 and was estimated to cost $500,000 including the purchase of land.  This speedway would allow owners of  "fast cars" to use the only course in the country to drive at full speed in perfect safety.  (New Brunswick Daily Home Mar. 9, 1905)

The Speedway's Location

60' to 100' in width, the course would go through picturesque countryside in western New Jersey. 

A scenic route through the farmlands of New Jersey.  Note who the photographer of this photo is.   (Motoring and Boating Mar. 16, 1905)

Parts of the course would run along the Delaware River on the west and near Pennington on the east.  Mileage makers for the 50 mile speedway are indicated on this drawing.  (Automobile Topics Mar. 18, 1905)

Accommodating short and long distance competitions including the Vanderbilt Cup Race the project would include a club house, garage and chauffeur's house.  Other enticements for membership would be golf links, tennis courts and a hotel.  (New Brunswick Daily Home Mar. 9, 1905)

Support Offered and Approval Given

Initially the idea of businessman J.A. Kunkel of Pennington various auto organizations welcomed and supported the idea. 

Approval given!  (Motoring and Boating Mar. 16, 1905)

The President of the American Automobile Association, Elliot C. Lee was one such official as well as George H. Day, manager of the Association of Licensed Automobile Manufacturers.  Lee was told the course might be ready for the running of the Vanderbilt Cup Race in the fall. 

Interest shown by "wealthy sportsmen alone seems to insure its execution".  Options to purchase 400 acres of land from 60 different owners was obtained and the organization was charted as the "Automobile Intercity Speedway Club".

However, not everyone shared this positive view as this editorial notes.  (Automobile Topics Mar. 25, 1905)

Close-up of where the hotel, two mile track, grandstand, club house and garages were to be erected.  (Automobile Topics Mar. 18, 1905)

Sources of Revenue

Annual income was estimated to be $109,000 and included gate and grand stand receipts, "privileges" (not sure what these could be) and "income from lands farmed".  (Automobile Topics April 8, 1905)

The course would offer manufacturers a place to test their new models and tune-up autos to be entered in races.  It was assumed that manufacturers would pay substantial annual dues to support the speedway.  After all funds were received the course was expected to be completed in 4 months.   (Automobile Topics Mar. 18, 1905)

Another 1905 Plan in South Jersey

One of the first plans in 1905 was by the newly incorporated "Atlantic Coast Motor Speedway" which would locate a track in south Jersey.   (Automobile Topics Jan. 28, 1905)

The Evening World Apr. 15, 1905

The site near Toms River would encompass a speedway and "national sports grounds".

Plans were staked out for a 5 mile speedway, fields for various sporting events and a grandstand. 

We all know the Vanderbilt Cup Race never was run in New Jersey and Joe Tracy became a successful driver on Long Island, however the planning for numerous speedways in New Jersey continued.  A follow-up post will detail the efforts in 1912 to build another speedway in New Jersey that failed to materialize and led to a similar effort on Long Island by the same promoter and with the same result.