Vanderbilt Cup Races

Feb 17 2011
Mystery French Driver of an American Thomas Racer: Gustave Caillois

Last Sunday at the Smithtown Automobile Flea Market, Arthur Gould challenged me to identify this photo of a driver and his mechanician. His hint: the driver was French and drove a Thomas in a Vanderbilt Cup Race event. Arthur, here's your answer: (2 comments)

Feb 16 2011
First Meeting of the Long Island Motor Parkway Preservation Society

An outgrowth of the long-standing Long Island Motor Parkway Panel, a group dedicated to the preservation of the Long Island Motor Parkway was established last night at the Bonwit Inn on the Motor Parkway in Commack. Ten people had a wonderful time sharing stories about our favorite historic road and planning future restoration and preservation projects. (18 comments)

Feb 15 2011
Help Restore the Old Bethpage Village Restoration Motor Parkway Bridge

Only two Motor Parkway bridges remain standing in Nassau County- in Manhasset Hills and Old Bethpage. Here is background on the Old Bethpage Village Restoration Motor Parkway Bridge and your opportunity to help restore it... tonight! (4 comments)

Feb 14 2011
Film and Photo Opportunities: Is Your Car A Star?

Three opportunities to make your car a star: (0 comments)

Feb 12 2011
Then & Now: Extant Structures on the Vanderbilt Cup Race Courses (Updated: 7/31/2019)

There are few Long Island buildings and structures that were built from 1904 to 1910 and remain standing. These nine buildings, structures and remnants on the Vanderbilt Cup Race courses have survived over 100 years: (6 comments)

Feb 10 2011
From the McCarthy Collection: Four Hotels on the Vanderbilt Cup Race Course

Walter McCarthy: "I came across this journal "Automobile Tours 1908" while browsing through some of my old original literature. This issue included information on four hotels on the Vanderbilt Cup Race course." (1 comments)

Feb 09 2011
The Vanderbilt Cup Race Courses (1904-1910)

The six Vanderbilt Cup Races from 1904 to 1910 were held on five different courses on Long Island. The last three races from 1908 to 1910 were partially held on the Long Island Motor Parkway. (2 comments)

Feb 08 2011
The Long Island Rail Road and the Vanderbilt Cup Races

Up to 250,00 people attended the Vanderbilt Cup Races, when the population of Nassau County was less than 75,000 and cars were owned only by the wealthy. Accordingly, the vast majority of the spectators came from New York City and Brooklyn and used the Long Island Rail Road to travel to and from the races. (1 comments)

Feb 07 2011
Peter Helck and a Piece of Locomobile Vanderbilia

In 1905 Roslyn photographer William Pickering captured the #7 Locomobile passing Krug's Hotel on Jericho Turnpike in Mineola. The Locomobile's third place finish in the race was the first time an American car had ever placed in an international competition. Tim Helck, the grandson of Peter Helck, brought back memories of this famous Vanderbilt Cup racer with a recent email. (1 comments)

Feb 05 2011
Rare Images Series #2: Vanderbilt Cup Race Driver Joe Tracy

Joe Tracy (1873-1959) was the only driver to participate in the first five races associated with the Vanderbilt Cup Races (1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race, the 1905 American Elimination Race, the 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race, the 1906 American Elimination Race, and the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race). As part of the Rare Images series, check out these photos of pioneering driver and engineer: (2 comments)