About
The six Vanderbilt Cup Races held on Long Island from 1904 to 1910 were the greatest sporting events of their day, and the first international automobile road races held in the United States. The races had a far-reaching impact on the development of American automobiles and parkways. This site provides comprehensive information on the races, the Long Island Motor Parkway and current Long Island automotive events, car shows and news.
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Co-Founder and Writer: Howard Kroplick
Co-Founder: Dana Kroplick
Website by Eric Miller Design
Site maintained by Hop Studios
Recent Comments
From John:
All the best to you Howard and you devotion to racing and Long Island history.
John
From Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, and a Wonderful 2017!
The race is from 1946 of the VMCAA 50th anniversary celebration at the Mineola Fairgrounds dirt track. The driver was 75 year old Joe Tracey, the mechanician was…..Jerry Helck(?) in the #16 Locomobile, and the car on the left *may be* the Breese Racer.
Not being terribly familiar with the landscape I am guessing this was the oval which backed up to the S/F line of the Vanderbilt Cup Race (though I could be wrong and notice there is another oval from aerials nearby).
What is on there today? First guess would be a Walmart, but I’d hope at least it’s an open field or park at least…..so that is a hope, not a guess.
A short film of the race. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udTbxEVDS2w
From Mystery Foto #52 Solved: Old 16 at the 1946 VMCCA Jubilee Anniversary at the Mineola Fair Grounds
Great artwork!
Thanks for sharing. We need to see more of these classic posters from yesteryear.
Success in 2017,
=rds
From Helck Family Collection: The Story Behind Peter Helck's Artwork for this Vanderbilt Cup Race Poster
In 1965, I drove cross-country with a college friend in his brand new 1964 GTO… departed Long Island Noon Fri, and were in Gallup, NM 6am Sunday via Route 66. Took a side trip to Grand Canyon & Vegas before crossing the desert to LA. We were cruisin’ to say the least!
From Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, and a Wonderful 2017!
Nice presentation of the Ronkonkoma Lodge history.
From The Motor Parkway Toll Collection Structures:#19 and #20 The Ronkonkoma Toll Gate & Ronkonkoma Lodge
Hi all
HAPPY HOLIDAYS,MERRY CHRITMAS,HAPPY NEW YEAR and good health and happiness
From Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, and a Wonderful 2017!
Thanks for the entertainment and a happy Chanukah to you.
From Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, and a Wonderful 2017!
Mystery Foto #52…......The competition was the Automotive Golden Jubilee at Mineola Fairgrounds on June 8, 1946.
The race car on the right is the Old 16 Locomobile driven by Joe Tracy with Jerry Helck as his mechanician.
Today, on the site of the Mineola Fairgrounds, we find The Nassau County Court complex.
From Mystery Foto #52 Solved: Old 16 at the 1946 VMCCA Jubilee Anniversary at the Mineola Fair Grounds
In June 1946 the American Car Club 50th anniversary event was held at the old
Mineola fairgrounds. Old Number 16 is pictured and the driver was Joe Tracy with
young Jerry Helck the mechanician. The fairgrounds are now just a memory, replaced
by the current Nassau County Supreme Court. I had seen midget autos race on this dirt
track around 1948. My “seat” was a tree limb on the far turn outside the fence.
From Mystery Foto #52 Solved: Old 16 at the 1946 VMCCA Jubilee Anniversary at the Mineola Fair Grounds
Thanks, Dave. We know their all being filmed,etc. But I/We can relate to everyone on that show. Wish they invite us all their!
Hunting Hitler is another favorite of mine. The psycho is dead by now, but I really get into their discoveries, etc.
From The Second 2016 Kleiner Tour of the Long Island Motor Parkway
Good one Brian!
Man I really want to love that show, oak island. It’s right up all of our alleys you know? It has so much potential. But I’m always disappointed at the end of each episode! They’ve pulled every string in the world….when are they gonna find something???? I keep thinking the network couldn’t be on board unless they knew this was leading to something good….but it never happens. Enough with the analytics!
From The Second 2016 Kleiner Tour of the Long Island Motor Parkway
So, as we can see from the older photos, the lodge was basically on top of / right next to the LIMP.
Was the house moved back away from the road at some point?
From The Motor Parkway Toll Collection Structures:#19 and #20 The Ronkonkoma Toll Gate & Ronkonkoma Lodge
I went on the “suffolkcountyny.gov” site ( imaps ) to see where a total of 1650 ft heading W/O both Old Rosevale Ave and Rosevale Ave would land. It ends up at the intersection of Motor Pkwy/ Oakdale Ave. Have no doubt the renovated lodge is further east to Woodlawn Ave, I’ll just have to drive by there; after the holidays of course. And you can’t miss this house, with The Russo Team providing a excellent photo of it.
A Happy and Safe Holiday Season to All!
From The Motor Parkway Toll Collection Structures:#19 and #20 The Ronkonkoma Toll Gate & Ronkonkoma Lodge
I give you all the credit in the world for the in-depth detective work you do to bring the Island’s history back to us and generations to come. Thank you so much!
From Mystery Foto #51 Solved: A Rare Vintage Color Photo of the Bethpage Lodge Circa 1962/1963
Wow, nice blog Gary. I’m happy they think the ticket is so special. I think there was a whole box of them but I don’t know what happened to it. Long gone.
Donna
From Hammond's History: A 1910 Vanderbilt Cup Race Parking Space Ticket at Pratt's Farm in Westbury
Robertson’s pretzel indeed. Just one lap on the new layout with the old machine would’ve been enough for anyone. I often wonder how any driver could sustain and finish the grueling course, 400 miles of it no less. The prizes were well deserved. The avg speed of the racers must’ve been slower compared to the earlier, staiter layouts, regardless of ‘modern’ improvements to the auto. Much fish-tailin’ goin’ on ‘round ‘36.
From Helck Family Collection: The Story Behind Peter Helck's Artwork for this Vanderbilt Cup Race Poster
As always, excellent work with the mapping overlays; Frank. You bring the LIMP “back to life”.
From Mystery Foto #51 Solved: A Rare Vintage Color Photo of the Bethpage Lodge Circa 1962/1963
Me too, Dave! I liken Art and his buds planning in “The Office” to “The War Room” ( The Curse of Oak Island, History Channel ).
From The Second 2016 Kleiner Tour of the Long Island Motor Parkway
From Al Velocci:
The Bethpage Lodge
The Damiano family were the last family to live in the lodge.
From Mystery Foto #51 Solved: A Rare Vintage Color Photo of the Bethpage Lodge Circa 1962/1963
Looks like one of the first 3 and its not Massapequa
Since it looks abandoned and the period,being a color photo, early 1960’s my guess is Bethpage lodge.
From Mystery Foto #51 Solved: A Rare Vintage Color Photo of the Bethpage Lodge Circa 1962/1963
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