Vanderbilt Cup Races

There were some beautiful cars and the Mustang III Concept Show Car at the Bridge VIII in Bridgehampton on Saturday, September 14, 2024.

"Taking place at the private golf club that sits on the hallowed grounds of the original Bridgehampton Race Circuit, the namesake classic car exhibition pays tribute to the historic racing that took place on the site for nearly half a century. The exhibition is primarily focused on post-war sports and competition cars that raced or would have been eligible to race at The Bridgehampton Race Circuit during its glory years. More than 200 cars of great provenance are featured every year.

 The invitation to attend the September event is limited to members of The Bridge and their guests, brand partners’ guests, those whose incredible cars are being shown as part of the exhibition, and specially invited collectors from around the world.

 The Bridge Golf Foundation (BGF), based in Harlem, is the principal beneficiary of the annual event. BGF operates an intensive, year-round, multi-year golf and education program for young men of color. Its mission is to help their young men close gaps in achievement, learning and opportunity; to improve their college readiness; and to help them graduate from college and move into the workforce."

This was not a judged event, but more of a wonderful, fund-raising, automotive garden party at an absolutely stunning location. A link to images from 27east.com.

Here are the highlights.

Enjoy,

Greg O. and Howard Kroplick

The Bridge VIII

The 1963 Mustang III Concept Show Car at The Bridge VIII

Howard and Roz Kroplick with event founder/organizer, Jeffrey Einhorn together with the Mustang III.

The Mustang III Team:Greg O., Howard Kroplick, Dave Baum

"Hey Jerry, how do you like the Mustang III"?

Jerry  Seinfeld thought the "Mustang III was amazing...even though it was not a Porsche." 

From left to right: Juliana Terian, owner of Rallye Motors, unknown, Jerry Seinfeld and Howard Kroplick.

As shown in the event guide, the Mustang III was the featured vehicle of the 52 automobiles in the "Clubhouse Paddock" section.

The Cars of The Bridge VIII

There are small remnants of the old Bridgehampton Race Circuit in the area, but nice to see the straightaway down to the Chevron bridge into turn 1 still exists.

I personally have not been to the track site since my last visit amateur SCCA racing a Porsche 944 in the 1993 'EMRA Vanderbilt Cup Time Trials' 31 years ago. Coming across these track remnants in their current surroundings felt surreal and exactly like finding Motor Parkway remnants in the wild, except at the Bridge, I had memories of racing on the track.

Greg O.

We can thank Long Island Automotive Museum's Henry Austin Clark Jr. for the Bridgehampton course.