At the turn of the 20th century the superiority of European automotive craftsmanship cast a long shadow over America’s fledgling car industry. To encourage American automobile manufacturers to challenge European quality, 26-year old William K. Vanderbilt Jr., heir to a railroad fortune and a pioneer race car driver, organized America’s first international road race, modeled after those held in Europe. The six Vanderbilt Cup Races held on Long Island from 1904 to 1910 were the greatest sporting events of their day. These colorful, exciting, and dangerous races drew huge crowds from 25,000 to over 250,000 spectators.
Feature
In celebration of the centennial anniversary of the Long Island Motor Parkway and the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race, a new exhibit is on display at the Roosevelt Field Mall from Friday, September 5th to Sunday, September 14th.The exhibit is located in the J.C. Penny Court in front of Bloomingdales and Dick's Sporting Goods.
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