Vanderbilt Cup Races

May 14 2010
William K. Vanderbilt Jr- “Un Millionaire Recordman” and Auto Race Driver

From 1902 to 1903, William K. Vanderbilt Jr. traveled throughout Europe. Here he found magnificent open roads to drive as fast as he dared and an education in the new sport of automobile racing. On May 2, 1902, he set the world’s kilometer record in a 40-horsepower Mercedes, averaging 110 kilometers per hour or 68.4 mph. He was hailed in the French magazine La Vie Au Grand Air as “Un Millionaire Recordman.” (0 comments)

May 13 2010
Vanderbilt Cup Race Pennants Sold for $1,743 on Ebay

Two "vintage 1909 and 1910 Vanderbilt Cup Race pennants" were auctioned on Ebay last week. The two pennants were sold together for $1,743 with 16 bidders participating. This was the description of the items by the seller: (0 comments)

May 11 2010
From the Drennan Collection: The Roosevelt Raceway Bar & Restaurant

For the 1936 and 1937 Vanderbilt Cup Races, a former huge hangar for Roosevelt Field was converted into the Administration Building for the new Roosevelt Racway. As shown in this 1936 aerial, the buidling was located south of Old Country Road and behind two grandstands. Glass negatives from the Drennan Collection provide insight into one use of the building. (0 comments)

May 10 2010
In Search of Master Mechanic Charlie Kirschhoffer

Jim Scott has emailed me the following request for information on mechanic Charlie Kirschhoffer: (4 comments)

May 08 2010
The Dagradas and the 1960 Cornelius Vanderbilt Cup Race at Roosevelt Raceway

Roger, thanks for the question all the way from the land of the Kiwi. In June 1960, an attempt was made to revive the Vanderbilt Cup Races with Formula Junior racers on a course created in the parking lot of Roosevelt Raceway harness race track in Westbury, New York. The donor the trophy was Cornelius Vanderbilt, a nephew of William K. Vanderbilt, Jr. (6 comments)

May 06 2010
From the Drennan Collection: The 1936 Vanderbilt Cup Race Awards Ceremony

Yesterday, I described the discovery of a treasure box of Long Island auto racing photos by the Cradle of Aviation Museum. Among the events covered by photographer John Drennan was the awards ceremony for the 1936 Vanderbilt Cup Race winner Tazio Nuvolari. I believe these photos have never been previously published . (2 comments)

May 06 2010
A Treasure Box of Long Island Auto Racing Discovered by the Cradle of Aviation

Last month the Cradle of Aviation Museum received a gift of the photographic archives of a man long-associated with Long Island aviation. Among the hundreds of photos in the collection was one box of 265 negatives and glass plates related to Long Island automobile racing. (4 comments)

May 05 2010
Favorite Website: Islip Speedway on Melaniff.com

The Melaniff family have created this website dedicated to the Islip Speedway (1947-1984). Among the many gems on the website are: (0 comments)

May 01 2010
April 2010 Highlights on VanderbiltCupRaces.com

VanderbiltCupRaces.com recorded its third highest average monthly viewership with a daily average of 122, a 53% increase over April 2009. For the first four months of 2010, a total of 14,985 unique viewers (a daily average of 120) have visited VanderbiltCupRaces.com, a 77% increase over 2009. (2 comments)

Apr 29 2010
Innovations and Significance of the Vanderbilt Cup Races

Bob, let's first tackle the innovations associated with the Vanderbilt Cup Races: (2 comments)