Question of the day: March 30, 2008: What was the role of A.R. Pardington in the races?
Marshall:
Great to hear from you. As described in your wonderful family website, A.R. Pardington had a major influence in both the Vanderbilt Cup Races and the Long Island Motor Parkway. http://www.mlloyd.org/gen/pdington/text/arpobit.htm
A.R. was definitely William K. Vanderbilt Jr.’s right-hand man. He organized the first Vanderbilt Cup Race in 1904 acting as the first chairman of the contest board of the American Automobile Association. Vanderbilt also enlisted Pardington to oversee the building and promotion of the Long Island Motor Parkway.
Building the Long Island Motor Parkway
Unfortunately, I do not know of any existing film of Mr. Pardington. Vanderbilt and some officials (Including race commissioner James Breese) can be seen at the end of the 1904 race film when Albert Clement Jr. was protesting the race. A.R. was likely still in the pressbox tallying the results. 1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race Video
I am emailing you 20 of my favorite images of Mr. Pardington for distribution to your family and friends.
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