New York Times Wheels Blog “1909 Alco-6 Race Car Roars”
Last Sunday's Second Annual Vanderbilt Autocross and Concours was profiled in the New York Times Wheels Blog published on July 28, 2009 by editor Dan Neville.
Mr. Neville did a wonderful job describing the Alco-6 Black Beast Racer driving experience:
Mr. Kroplick offered a demonstration of the Beast on the move. He got behind the massive wheel, where he seemed smaller, a mere mortal intending to control this thing. He started it, and in a cloud of smoke, he was gone. Chain driven, this car rivaled any of the more modern cars at the gathering for acceleration and power.
Agility is another matter. Mr. Kroplick had to fight the wheel to get through many of the turns on the course. It must have been a herculean task to take this car on any road race or the first Indianapolis 500 Race, in which the Beast competed in 1911.
Comments
From the New York Times Wheels Blog:
http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/28/1909-alco-6-race-car-still-roars/#comment-112447
Dan, you really captured the experience of driving the Black Beast!
The misspelled “Bête Noir” logo was placed on the racer for the 1911 Elgin National Trophy Race, the last major race in which it competed:
http://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/index.php/blog/article/saturday_march_14_2009_the_alco_black_beasts_last_great_race
Enjoy,
Howard
From the New York Times Wheels Blog:
http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/28/1909-alco-6-race-car-still-roars/#comment-112299
This machine must be seen to be appreciated. It is truly massive and a work of art. Strangely, owner Howard Kroplick appears to have been born behind the wheel at speed yet.
— Guy Frost
From the New York Times Blog:
http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/28/1909-alco-6-race-car-still-roars/#comment-112463
The success this ALCO - 6 Race Car had in the Vanderbilt Cup Races in 1909 and 1910 is such a wonderful piece of history for Long Island. This is truly a must see for any automobile or history buff!
— Frank Krawiecki
We are thrilled to have Howard and this magnificent piece of Automotive and Long Island History at our “Great Neck Plaza Annual Autofest”, October 11th, 2009. Looking forward to seeing up to 150 Antique and Classic Cars on display. For further information, please call (516) 829-8374 and ask for “Maria”.
Jay Corn
Chairman, Autofest