Vanderbilt Cup Races

Apr 22 2011

VanderbiltCupRaces.com Forum #10- Saturday, April 23, 2011 (News, Events, Comments & Feedback)

Feedback and sharing of information are much appreciated on VanderbiltCupRaces.com . Today's Forum provides news, this weekend's car events (weather permitting), book reviews and recent comments on the clean-up of the Old Bethpage Village Restoration Motor Parkway Bridge:

News

Hemmings Blog, April 21, 2011: Vanderbilt Cup historian to speak on the famed Long Island races

Hemmings reader Mark Axen recently sent us the link to an excellent site that features information, images and even video of the Vanderbilt Cup Races held on Long Island from 1904-1910. Much of the content for the site comes from the collection of historian and author Howard Kroplick, whose books include The Long Island Motor Parkway and Vanderbilt Races of Long Island. Kroplick, who is also a car enthusiast and owner of the Alco-6 Black Beast race car that won the 1909 and 1910 Vanderbilt Cup Races, will be appearing at the Bethpage Public Library on April 27 talking about the Long Island Motor Parkway and the Vanderbilt Cup Races from 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. After the presentation, he will be signing copies of his books, the proceeds of which are donated to Child Abuse Prevention Services.

Farmingdale Observer, April 22, 2011: From the Desk of Senator Charles Fuschillo

New Solutions Needed to Put Transportation Infrastructure on Road to Recovery

In 1908, ground was broken in Bethpage, Long Island for one of the nation’s first high-speed, concrete highways, complete with bridges and overpasses. The Long Island Motor Parkway eventually stretched east from Queens to Suffolk County. This modern marvel of the 20th century was privately financed, privately built and finished on time.

Long Island Business News, April 22, 2011: High gas prices filling LI hotel rooms

To boost sales even more, Tsunis is partnering with the Long Island Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Ward Melville Heritage Organization to organize a showcase of Long Island’s recreation history, called “Long Island: The World’s Largest Resort,” said Gloria Rocchio, the president of the Ward Melville Heritage Organization. The show will feature a diorama of Vanderbilt Parkway - now known as Motor Parkway - and will also include boating memorabilia. The show will also have a photograph of the Nassau Hotel in Long Beach, a wine press and a putting green, she said.

Newsday, April 18, 2011: Amityville to sell vintage Packard

For sale: one 1929 Packard convertible automobile, green. Owner has budget woes. Contact village of Amityville.

Featured Automotive Events:

SCCA Annual Tech Day, Hauppauge, NY Saturday, April 23, 2011

56th Annual Easter Sunday Vintage Car Parade, Garden City, Sunday, April 24, 2011

Presentation “The Long Island Motor Parkway, the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race & Central Park” 7:30 pm, Bethpage Public Library, Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Calendar of 2011 Long Island Automotive Events

Book Reviews

Amazon.com "The Long Island Motor Parkway"

Ray Zatorski: "Great book, a little piece of LI history"

"Having grown up on long Island, the fragments of stories about the LI Motor Parkway - or as the locals called it the Vanderbilt Parkway -were fascinating but how could anyone build his own road? The history and photos explain everything and provide sources to find out more. I can now verify, or in some cases, disprove the stories and urban myths about this piece or LI history." .

Frank Scotty: "History in my own backyard"

"Since moving into Levittown, N.Y. recently, I've discovered for myself the remains of the parkway close to where I live. By buying this book, I've been able to explore places within this book with fascination. This is the handbook of the Motor Parkway, and I recommend it highly. " .

Recent Comments

Update #2: Damage to the Old Bethpage Village Restoration Motor Parkway Bridge

If you wish to assist in projects to help preserve the Motor Parkway, please join the Long Island Preservation Society, an outgrowth of the Long Island Motor Parkway Panel. Become a Founding Member by sending an email to me at [email protected] . No fees are required-just energy and dedication. Current membership: 54.

Members of the following Long Island car clubs have volunteered to assist in the cleanup and restoration of the Old Bethpage Village Restoration Motor Parkway Bridge:

Ford Model-A Club

Long Island Sound Region of the Classic Car Club of America

New York Military Vehicle Club

Walt Gosden-"Without the efforts of fine gentleman like Howard and Al to “sound the call” to the County and officials at the Park this bridge would still be in disrepair and debris would be piled up and around it by uncaring people and groups. If you care about the L.I. Motor Parkway and Long Island history you need to voice your opinion to every political and elected official you can and make it known that this is important to preserve. You just know they will all show up to smile for photos when the project is done."

Roger Price: "I know the L.I. Model A Ford club has been involved in cleaning up the bridge site in the past. I look forward to being able to help restoring this site."

Sam Berliner III: “I knew the OBVR bridge was in a bad way but hadn’t realized how severely deteriorated it had become since I last saw it."

Dan Templeton , Secretary, New York Military Vehicle Club: “I’ve just seen your webpage, regarding the old Motor Parkway Bridge in Old Bethpage Village, and I’d like to offer some help from the New York Military Vehicle Club. If possible, a date in June would be preferable, as May weekends are already booked on our Calendar. Please let me know if we can be of any help."

John M: "I would love to help in the maintenance and restoration of the Motor Pkwy. As I child growing up in Fresh Meadows my dad often took me for walks along the old stretch between the LIE and Cunningham park. When we moved out to Bethpage I spent my youth playing on Dead Mans curve not realizing the significance. Now I have two children of my own and we take early Sunday walks along sections still remaining of the old road, especially my little guy who looks for the fragments of the old asphalt during these walks. I am a board member of the Porsche club of America and currently live in Bethpage not far from the road. Please keep me informed of when you need help and what I can do to help. I interact with the motor parkway every day as my office is right by the old schoolhouse foot bridge off of Maxess Rd. in Melville."

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Enjoy,

Howard Kroplick

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