Action at the Westbury Turn
Chalmers-Detroit Narrowly Escapes Disaster
Driver Billy Knipper in his #7 Chalmers-Detroit Bluebird narrowly averted disaster at the Westbury Turn at Old Country Road and Ellison Avenue. Knipper led the race for 12 laps and looked like a sure winner until an engine bearing seized on lap 20. The primitive suspensions and inherently high center of gravity in cars of the era presented challenges when rounding corners at high speed.
Close-Up of Alco’s Team
Widely regarded as one of the more dangerous turns, the Westbury Turn attracted a large throng of people, many unwisely lining the course and clearly in harm’s way. The turn was banked on its west side in an effort to assist cars from skidding off the course. Full-face hoods were worn by both ALCO driver Grant and his mechanician Frank Lee to protect them from dust and stones.
The 1909 Finish -->
1909
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.
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