Sunday, June 28, 2009: Then and Now: The Hairpin Turn in Old Westbury
One of the most exciting vantage points for the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race was the Hairpin Turn at Wheatley Road and Old Westbury Road. Over 3,000 spectators crowded this Old Westbury turn named because its contour was reminiscent of the bend of a hairpin.
In the above photo, Felice Nazzaro is seen driving his 120-horsepower FIAT perilously close to the crowd a this turn. The Italian star was the fastest car on both laps #8 and 9 of the 10 lap race, but suffered tire failures and finished in sixth place.
Here is a view of the Hairpin Turn in Old Westbury as it looks today. Note the beautiful house at the the corner of the Hairpin Turn in 1906 remains standing- one of the few Vanderbilt Cup Race landmarks that has survived over the century.
The action at the Hairpin Turn was also captured in this film of the 1906 race. More "Then and Now" images can be found in this 2-minute film.
Categories
Recent Entries
- Sunday, March 14, 2010: A Tribute to Peter Helck (1893-1988), the Great American Artist
- Saturday,3/13/10: Vanderbilia to be Displayed at Upcoming Museum of the City of New York Exhibition
- Friday, March 12, 2010: March/April Long Island Automotive Events Update
- Thursday,3/11/10: Article “Driving The Ford” & the Future of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race Winner
- Wednesday, March 10, 2010 From the Pardington Papers: Original Parkway Names and Toll Gate Locations
- Tuesday, March 9, 2010: The Alco “White Beast” at the 1910 Worcester Dead Horse Hill Climb
Feature
The 128-page book by Howard Kroplick, a researcher and lecturer on the races, contains rare images of the races from the archives of major museums, libraries and private collectors. The book Vanderbilt Cup Races of Long Island will be available from Arcadia Publishing in March 2008.
continue reading-->
Interesting series, Howard.