The Impact of the Vanderbilt Cup Races: The Long Island Race Tracks
Sunday's new presentation in Westhampton will highlight the impact of the Vanderbilt Cup Races and the Motor Parkway on Long Island.
One impact preview: Due to the inability to control crowds, the Vanderbilt Cup Races established the need for protected auto racing tracks and professional race drivers.
As a result, these race tracks were among those built on Long Island. Sadly, only one has survived.
Enjoy,
Howard Kroplick
Sheepshead Bay Race Track (1915-1919)
Freeport Speedway (1930-1983)
Roosevelt Raceway (1936-1940)
Islip Speedway (1947-1984)
Westhampton Raceway/Hampton Speedway/Long Island Dragway (1953-2004)
Bridgehampton Race Circuit (1957-1998)
Riverhead Speedway (1951-Current)
Comments
Hi, Howard,
This was a reminder that in 1982 we “borrowed” the Vanderbilt name at Bridgehampton and ran what we called “Vanderbilt Speed Weeks”, with AAMRR motorcycle road races and a motocross on one weekend followed by SCCA/EMRA sports car races the next. This was to celebrate the track’s 25th birthday. We sort of recreated the Cup for the event, using a picture from the Smithsonian as a guide. Best regards, Earl
Very nice presentation
Ken
HA! You left out the Roosevelt Raceway, where the VC races were run on 19 June 1960 on the flat, on a twisting road course laid out in the infield and around the trotting track. I vas dere, Cholly (as was Old 16), and even snuck my XK120M drophead Jag out onto the course immediately after the race was over and got in a lap at speed before being chased off. Not much of an auto racetrack but still it WAS one - AND it hosted a VCR! Sam, III
Thanks for a glimpse in to what once was…..Enjoyed it…