1906 American Elimination Trial
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Feb 15 2010
The Checkered Flags of the Vanderbilt Cup Races
As Louis Wagner was about to win the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race in the #10 Darracq, starter Fred Wagner waved what is believed to be the first checkered flag used to signify the finish of an auto race. Here are the winners of the six Vanderbilt Cup Races of Long Island...the last four receiving a checkered flag from Fred Wagner. Remember to click on the image to enlarge it. (5 comments)
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Feb 10 2010
Jay Leno & the 1906 Stanley Steamer Vanderbilt Racers
In May 1906, Charles J. Swain and John Wilkins, Jr. of the Cape May Automobile Club announced that intended to purchase two specially-built Stanley Steamer racers to compete in the American Elimination Trial for the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race. Swain proudly announced to the automobile trade journals: "Preliminary negotiations were made for the purchase of two Stanley steamers, guaranteed to do a mile in thirty seconds, and capable of standing up for the Vanderbilt Cup car journey". (4 comments)
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Nov 20 2009
Starting Lineup: The 1906 American Elimination Trial
As in 1905, an American Elimination Trial determined the five racers to represent the United States in the Vanderbilt Cup Race. Of 16 entries, 12 cars survived the practice runs to race on Saturday, September 22, 1906. Here are images and profiles of all 16 cars. (Remember to click on the photos to enlarge): (3 comments)
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Nov 19 2009
The 1906 Air-Cooled Frayer-Millers
An innovative machine showcased in the 1906 American Elimination Trial was the unique, air-cooled Frayer-Miller entry with designer Lee Frayer at the wheel. The only car to place the driver on the left side, this entry (one of three Frayer-Millers entered in the American Elimination Trial) broke a radius rod on the first lap and finished last. (1 comments)
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Nov 13 2009
Driver Profile: John Walter Christie: Front-Wheel Drive Pioneer
The struggle of the Christie team in the 1905 and the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Races was a kind of metaphor for (John) Walter Christie’s life. Born in River Edge, New Jersey on May 6, 1866, Christie spent his youth working as a machinist and studying mechanics. As a teenager, he worked at the DeLamater Machine Shop in New York where the Civil War ironclad U.S.S. Monitor had been constructed nearly 20 years prior. (5 comments)
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Nov 13 2009
The Christie Returns to the 1906 Races
Despite his lack of success and total disruption of the 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race, Christie returned to the 1906 American Elimination Trial and the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race with another of his front-wheel drive creations. (0 comments)
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May 28 2009
Vanderbilt Cup Race Art from West Wales
From the spectacular paintings of Peter Helck to the tin can art of David Wasserman, the action and passion of the Vanderbilt Cup Races have inspired artists for over 100 years. Today, David Holland, an artist specializing in motorsports from West Wales, continues to portray the drama and excitement of these races. (0 comments)
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Jan 19 2009
Excellent Article on Eddie Rickenbacker
The website absolute astronomy.com has a new article on Eddie Rickenbacker. (0 comments)
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Aug 02 2008
Eddie Rickenbacker: America’s Ace of Aces and Vanderbilt Cup Participant
Prior to becoming America’s World War I “Ace of Aces”, an aviation industry pioneer, owner of the Indianapolis Speedway and before changing his last name to Rickenbaker, Eddie was one of the leading race drivers in the country. He participated in one American Elimination Trial for the Vanderbilt Cup Race (1906), two Vanderbilt Cup Races (1915,1916), five Indianapolis 500 Races (1911, 1912, 1914, 1915, 1916) and three American Grand Prize Races (1914, 1915, 1916). Among his… (1 comments)
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Jun 23 2008
Driver Profile: George Robertson Updated 2/28/2016)
A profile of the first American driver to win the Vanderbilt Cup Race in an American car. (2 comments)
