Vanderbilt Cup Races

The car was a Renault #17, driven by Louis Strang, the Mechanician was Andersen.
The race was the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race.
In addition to donating the trophy for the Vanderbilt Cup Races, William K, Vanderbilt, Jr. was a very active referee for all six races held on Long Island. As shown in this photo of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race, he was always willing to assist when needed.
When the #17 Renault driven by Lewis Strang stalled at the start, Willie K (on the far left wearing a cap and goggles) jumped in and helpd push the car. The Renault eventually did start- thanks in part to Willie K.

That’s the #17 Renault driven by Lewis Strang with Lee Anderson as the mechanician at the start of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup race. Apparently the car stalled and Willie K. himself (left of the car, in boots) was helping with a push to get it started.

Renault, driver Lewis Strang,  and mechanician Anderson
1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race
The car would not start at the beginning of the race so it was pushed to the side of the course where Strang and his helpers worked on the engine.  It finally started but Strang had lost 28 minutes.  The car in lap 4 burned out a clutch and could not go on.  Sometimes, things are not to be!
Willie K. giving the car a push!

Referee William Kissam Vanderbilt II is helping push Lewis Putnam Strang’s 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Renault off the starting line after the Renault stalled.  Attached is a photo of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup officials taken from the October 31, 1908, issue of Automobile Topics.  After 30 minutes of work mechanician Anderson repaired a faulty magneto and Strang entered the race.  By that time many cars had already finished the first lap of the race.  Strang was only able to complete three laps before dropping out with clutch problems.  Motor Age magazine printed that Lewis Strang was “probably well entitled to be called the American Road Champion” because of his recent wins at Savannah, Briarcliff and Lowell.  Strang won those races driving an Isotta but switched to the Renault for the Vanderbilt Cup race.  Interesting to note that Strang, from Amsterdam, NY, when he moved from the Isotta to the Renault that Herbert Lytle, from Malone, NY, became the driver of the Isotta.  Another interesting note is that of the 17 cars in the race 13 were chain driven and 4 were shaft driven.  The Renault was shaft driven.  As you can see by the photo there was rain in the air.  Prior to the start there was heavy rain and rain continued well into the second lap of the race.