Vanderbilt Cup Races

Although the Contest Board of the American Automobile Association had yet named a location, the Sheepshead Bay Speedway was mentioned as the site of the May 13, 1916 race.  This would be the first time the race would be run on a race track, not on actual roads.  (The New York Times Dec. 18, 1915)

The New York Times recounted the flurry of activity surrounding prior Vanderbilt Cup Races held on Long Island.  (The New York Times Dec. 18, 1915)

The race would be approximately 300 miles.  (Poughkeepsie Evening Enterprise Dec. 15, 1915)

Or shortened to 100 miles.  (Newark Evening Star Dec. 18, 1915)

Somewhere between 100 and 300 miles would be a logical guess!  Also there would be a loss of character resulting from it being run on a speedway according to this Nassau County newspaper.  (The Nassau Post Dec. 24, 1915)

Italian speaking race fans in San Francisco were alerted of the race being held in Sheepshead Bay.  (L'Italia San Fransisco Dec. 24, 1915)

By February 1916 plans for the race to be held at Sheepshead Bay appeared to have evaporated as a prominent auto enthusiast from Chicago noted its demise.  (Brooklyn Daily Eagle Feb. 15, 1916)

The Motor Cups Holding Company which managed the Vanderbilt Cup Race and the Grand Prize Race had not given permission to hold the latter race on the Corona, California speedway but it was not known as to its position on Sheepshead Bay.  (Brooklyn Daily Eagle Feb. 15, 1916)

More to come on the Corona, CA Speedway in an upcoming Kleiner's Korner!

Evidently this South Dakota newspaper hadn't heard the news about the race not being held at Sheepshead Bay. (The Miller Press Mar. 2. 1916)

The 1916 race would eventually be rewarded to Santa Monica, home of the 1914 Vanderbilt Cup Race.  (Bridgeport Evening Farmer Mar. 10, 1916)

The course of the 1916 Vanderbilt Cup Race in Santa Monica.

A very inviting description of the area in which the Santa Monica race was conducted. 

The start of the race in Santa Monica. 

Willie K. was reported not in favor of the race being held at Sheepshead Bay due to it being run on a track.  Indianapolis Motor Speedway was also rejected.  But Willie also wanted a "stiffer road test" than Santa Monica offered.  Note the new "Dead Man's Curve" constructed as part of the course.  (Bridgeport Evening Farmer Mar. 10, 1916)

The Brooklyn Daily Eagle did recognize Brooklyn's prominence and contributions to the automotive world in this article.  More about the Sheepshead Bay Speedway here.  (Brooklyn Daily Eagle Oct. 26, 1916)