Vanderbilt Cup Races

The reason some of the Europeans did not participate in the 1908 VC was because the European Automobile Clubs which sanctioned the GP races would not allow them to enter.  The ACA originally had the sanctioning rights to all international racing events for America, meaning American cars entering overseas and international entrants racing in America.  The AC of France and Germany determined that the ACA as the sole governing body of the International racing and set out a rule that if they entered any races in America not sanctioned by the ACA they could not race in the Grand Prix races of Europe.  So we had our first American Grand Prix in Savannah.  This changed later by agreement of the ACA and AAA.  Long story.

From FIAT Freakout: The 13 FIATS of the Vanderbilt Cup Races

From Stuart L:

“Mystery Photo#19 was taken at Roosevelt raceway in 1936 during the running of the Revival of the Vanderbilt Cup race which was won by Tazio Nuvolari in an Alfa Romeo 8C2900 beating the Nazi sponsored Auto Union (Audi) driven by Rosemeyer.”

From Mystery Foto #19 Solved: Aerial of the 1936 Vanderbilt Cup Race & Site of Lindbergh's Takeoff

Thanks a lot for the post.Thanks Again. Great.

From Mystery Foto #19 Solved: Aerial of the 1936 Vanderbilt Cup Race & Site of Lindbergh's Takeoff

Howard,  The Links golf Clubhouse can be seen in the background on the right side of Robert Miller’s photo. The long rectangular building you identify as the clubhouse was used as maintainance equipment garage. I believe that motorized golf carts were also stored there. Al

From Mystery Foto #18 Solved: The Links Golf Club's Private Entrance to the Long Island Motor Parkway

Howard, The Links Golf Club clubhouse was located northeast of the Motor Parkway’s entrance to the Club. It was an old farmhouse that at one time was owned by the Willets family. It was located pretty much where the North Hill Village Hall is today.  When the Links residential community was being laid out there was some half-hearted talk about restoring the Willets farmhouse to be used an the Village Hall. As we know , it didn’t happen. Keep up the good work. Al

From Mystery Foto #18 Solved: The Links Golf Club's Private Entrance to the Long Island Motor Parkway

This appears to be a photo of the 1936 Vanderbilt Cup Race looking east. That would make the date 10/12/36. Nine years earlier Lindbergh began his famous flight from the same location at Roosevelt Field / Raceway. I believe thare are trains, planes, and automobiles in the photo and probably a stray horse or two. I think there are 4 Motor Parkway bridges visable but I’m not sure. The Meadowbrook Lodge is near the upper right and there appears to be an old hangar at the left-center area close to Old Country Road.

From Mystery Foto #19 Solved: Aerial of the 1936 Vanderbilt Cup Race & Site of Lindbergh's Takeoff

Thank you, Howard. When I read your comment, I remembered having read it somewhere. And indeed, John Burns describes it very clearly in his excellent book. Sometimes i just need a little push in the right direction!

From FIAT Freakout: The 13 FIATS of the Vanderbilt Cup Races

Ariejan, due to a 1908 dispute between the ACA and the AAA,  the two major sponsoring organizations, most of the international racers competed in the Savannah Grand Prize rather than the Vanderbilt Cup Race.  Eleven of the 17 cars entered in the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Races were American cars.

From FIAT Freakout: The 13 FIATS of the Vanderbilt Cup Races

What a fantastic web page,especially coming around that sharp turn,I love it,what driving that was,how those cars made that turn without having many accidents is amazing.

From FIAT Freakout: The 13 FIATS of the Vanderbilt Cup Races

The estate shown in the above aerial just north of the course is “Northcort” also labeled “North Hills”. Currentley the Buckley Country Day School -  http://halfpuddinghalfsauce.blogspot.com/2013/03/twin-gardens-in-tudor-setting.html

From Mystery Foto #18 Solved: The Links Golf Club's Private Entrance to the Long Island Motor Parkway

It would be great to get a FIAT from that era to attend the FreakOut National Convention this July in Happauge, LI.

From FIAT Freakout: The 13 FIATS of the Vanderbilt Cup Races

Howard:  One more comment: The FIAT that Louis Chevrolet drove, #16, belonged to William Wallace, as did my 1911.

From FIAT Freakout: The 13 FIATS of the Vanderbilt Cup Races

Howard:  Thanks for the post on the Vanderbilt FIATs, and the video in fantastic.  It would be fun to have my 1911 chain-drive Tipo “6” at one of these meets, but California is to far away.  Best regards, Alan

From FIAT Freakout: The 13 FIATS of the Vanderbilt Cup Races

Compilations are always interesting, especially as it is now immediately obvious that Fiat was not present at the 1908 VC. I tried to find out why, because they were present at all major international races of 1908, including the Grand Prize in Savannah. However I didn’t find a single word about this. Is there anybody who knows more?

From FIAT Freakout: The 13 FIATS of the Vanderbilt Cup Races

Roosevelt Field.

From Mystery Foto #19 Solved: Aerial of the 1936 Vanderbilt Cup Race & Site of Lindbergh's Takeoff

Howard,
It must be the Vanderbilt Cup Race, October 12, 1936, Roosevelt Raceway, Westbury; looking SE, Old Country Road in foreground running diagonally left to right; site of Charles A. Lindbergh’s N.Y. to Paris flight May 20, 1927; 2 hangers are shown - one between the grandstands, and the other in the bottom right, missing its roof (I believe it had a fire) & now used as a parking lot; you can see the elevation “Dip” between the old Curtiss Field and Roosevelt Field (formerly known as “Westbury Plateau” because of its elevation, before being named for Quentin Roosevelt after his death July 14, 1918); LIRR train crossing the Hempstead Plains on the former Central Line, airplanes, cars, probably under higher magnification motorcycle, truck, & bicycle; Meadowbrook Lodge is in the distance; note One Oak Dairy, Westbury/Carle Place in the bottom left, operated by the Salerno family until 1966

From Mystery Foto #19 Solved: Aerial of the 1936 Vanderbilt Cup Race & Site of Lindbergh's Takeoff

Roosevelt Field… appears to be a match (reverse, that is) to blog foto “May 02 2013”?
As an aside, where might one view the detailed original foto from which this print was obtained, please.

From Mystery Foto #19 Solved: Aerial of the 1936 Vanderbilt Cup Race & Site of Lindbergh's Takeoff

1936 Roosevelt Raceway looking southeast
Vanderbilt Cup Race
LIMP running diagonally across upper right
Merrick Avenue left to right near top
Lindbergh took off from here in 1927
Former air hangar bottom right
3 LIMP bridges visible
Merrick Avenue lodge visible, top right

From Mystery Foto #19 Solved: Aerial of the 1936 Vanderbilt Cup Race & Site of Lindbergh's Takeoff

Howard living in the area 70 years I did not know that section of the parkway, went thru Great Neck school. Great website, keep it going. Artie

From School Project: The Black Beast and the Long Island Motor Parkway in Lake Success

Oct. 12, 1936
Vandebilt Cup Races, 1936-1938
Departure point for Charles Lindbergh 1927 trans-Atlantic flight
Trains, Plains, Automobiles (train may not be in sight but would be the Central RR south of the Motor Parkway and Stewart Ave. in the upper right part of the photo).  Planes are in the lower right hand corner.
3 Bridges - Merrick Ave., Newbridge Ave., possibly Stewart Ave. somewhere thru the trees.
Meadowbrook Lodge
Hanger may be between what looks to be two grandstands along Old Country Road on the left part of the photo about mid-way up.

From Mystery Foto #19 Solved: Aerial of the 1936 Vanderbilt Cup Race & Site of Lindbergh's Takeoff