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 After the races in Savannah, Milwaukee and San Francisco, the cup was withdrawn from competition following the final race in Santa Monica in 1916.”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."