The Vanderbilt Cup Races

An Era Comes to an End

From 1911 to 1916, the Vanderbilt Cup Race moved around the country; Savannah (1911), Milwaukee (1912), Santa Monica (1914), San Francisco (1915) and back to Santa Monica (1916). Interviewed by the New York Times in October 7, 1934 on the 30th anniversary of the first Vanderbilt Cup Race, Willie K reflected:

“I had done a great deal of motoring abroad, and had seen the effect of racing competitions on the foreign cars. Foreign cars then seemed to be always about 5 years ahead of the American cars. If something could be done to induce the foreign makers to race in this country, our manufacturers would benefit by it…We kept on racing for a number of years on Long Island. After the races in Savannah, Milwaukee and San Francisco, the cup was withdrawn from competition following the final race in Santa Monica in 1916.” The reporter then asked “It just didn’t seem like the Vanderbilt Cup Race when it was taken away from Long Island, did it, Mr. Vanderbilt?” Vanderbilt responded “No. And it did seem that all that could be hoped for had been accomplished, so it was a fitting moment to end the races.”

1936, 1937 and 1960 Links

In 1911, the Vanderbilt Cup Race was moved from Long Island to Savannah. The story of the Savannah races and a map of the course can be found at this website. Savannah Now

The race moved off the East Coast in 1912 to Milwaukee. Rumbledrone.com

Twenty-Five historic images of the 1915 Vanderbilt Cup Race held in conjunction with the Pan-American Exposition can be found at the San Francisco Public Library website. San Francisco Public Library Vanderbilt Cup Race images

In 1936, 1937 and 1960, attempts were made to bring the Vanderbilt Cup Races back to Long Island.

A Time magazine article on the new Roosevelt Raceway constructed for the 1936 race can be found at this link Time Magazine

Information on the 1936-1937 George Vanderbilt Cup Races can be found at: http://www.ddavid.com/formula1/vand2.htm

Results of the 1960 Cornelius Vanderbilt Cup Race can be found at: http://www.formula2.net/FJ60_W18.htm