Vanderbilt Cup Races

The 1902  Belgian Circuit des Ardennes Race was an experiment in closed circuits as opposed to open road, point-to-point races. The 318.2-mile race consisted of six laps of the 53-mile triangular course. The race was definitely one of the inspirations behind the format for the Vanderbilt Cup Races.

A total of 75 vehicles were entered for the race. However, nineteen cars and drivers did not appear at the starting line. In the middle of his brief three-year racing career, 24-year old William K. Vanderbilt Jr. was at the race but had failed to submit his race entry on time.

Among the entrants who decided not to compete was French driver Henry Fournier . Upon learning of Fournier's decision, William K. Vanderbilt Jr.  was given special permission to drive Fournier's 60-HP Mors. He was assigned #76 and was the last car to leave the starting line.

The Circuit des Ardennes Race produced one of Vanderbilt’s most impressive driving efforts in his racing career.

Vanderbilt, who received some nasty lacerations a week earlier when thrown from a 60 horsepower Renault, admitted to some timidity at the start. But competition rekindled his spirit and he soon recovered his form. He was forced to stop five times for water, as a vandal had tampered with both his radiator and his gear shifter. The da.maged gear shifter made it difficult to select gears, and it had to be secured with a rope to maintain fourth gear.

Vanderbilt finished third among the 56 starters, completing the race in 6 hours and 22 minutes for an average speed of 50 miles per hour.

Two great drivers finished ahead of Vanderbilt in the large car race,  the winner Charles Jarrott in a 70-HP Panhard and Fernand Gabriel in another  60-HP Mors. Gabriel went on to lead the 1903 Paris to Madrid Race before it was stopped and compete in the 1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race.

Vanderbilt marveled at winner Jarrott’s daring when he said, “I saw Jarrott, who was coming at a daredevil pace, take hair-raising chances of being shouldered into a ditch.

George Heath, who would later win the 1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race, competed in a 70-HP Panhard and finished sixth.

Another future Vanderbilt Cup Race driver Camille Jenatzy competed in his own "Jenatzy" vehicle. As seen here, his car encountered major problems on the road between Bastogne and Longlier.

Other Views of the 1902 Circuit des Ardennes

M. Deschamps in his Deschamps light carriage.

The Comte de Villegas in his Belgica light car.

M. Girardot finished fifth in this C.G.V.

Rigolly, the winner of the light car race, in his Gobron-Brille powered by alcohol fuel.

One of the Decauvilles after an accident.

M. Wattecamps in his large Germain car.

The battle between the #36 Decauville and the #65 Darracq.

Another Darraqc at speed.

The winner Charles Jarott passing through a village.