Vanderbilt Cup Races

I’m not sure that the picture you have from 1940 for the 4 min 26 sec mark is actually of the same place.
What you can’t tell from the video is that the LIMP starts going downhill well before the first overpass and then sharply downhill as soon as you get to the overpass.  Maybe they did some major changes when widening the road in later years?

From Video "The Queens Motor Parkway Bike Path"

Hi Richard:
That’s pretty funny! The person to Willie K’s right in the photo was Fred Wagner, the starter for the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race and many of the major auto races of the era.

Howard

From The Vanderbilt Cup Race Pits: An American Innovation

Wonderful concept.
Development of hiking and biking trails with an nod to the historical significance of the Vanderbilt Motor Parkway would be great. 

With current economic climate and lack of “spine” among the political class, however, sorry to say like most public construction project of late I’m not optimistic.

From Long Island Business News Article "Hope for the Vanderbilt"

Is that Guy Frost standing next to Willie K. in the photo with “William K. Vanderbilt Jr.standing behind the car carefully observing the car which he owned.”?

From The Vanderbilt Cup Race Pits: An American Innovation

So the term “racing pits” was literal in those days. Actually, the pits as they were arranged then were a safety hazard to both the auto and the pit workers with the possibility of a car dropping into the pit when entering the area. Separating the pits and the race course apparently came later.

From The Vanderbilt Cup Race Pits: An American Innovation

Fascinating. I came upon this path almost accidently a couple of years ago from the Shea Stadium parking lot. I came back again with my bike and rode over to Union Tpke. It was only when I mentioned the ride to my cousin who lives in the area that I heard about the Vanderbilt Motor Parkway. Before he told me, I only knew of it as an exit on the L.I.E! Thanks. I can’t wait to go back when the weather is warmer.

From Video "The Queens Motor Parkway Bike Path"

Howard,
Here is some more info on Leno’s Stanley Racer.

Neither of the two original Stanley “Vanderbilt” cars exist, but more than eight replicas have been constructed by enthusiasts in recent years. One replica is owned by Jay Leno, who was famously stopped for speeding while driving it on an LA freeway.

http://patentpending.blogs.com/patent_pending_blog/2005/11/steam_car_sets_.html

From Jay Leno & the 1906 Stanley Steamer Vanderbilt Racers

These 1908 pits were a lot more impressive in terms of safety and utility than those we saw at the Bridgehampton road races 43 years later!

From The Vanderbilt Cup Race Pits: An American Innovation

Hi Matt:

It was fun to discover the background behind your photo!

Howard

From Can You Identify This California Race Photo?

Thanks for your help everyone.  Thsi is really great information!!!

From Can You Identify This California Race Photo?

Hi Bob:
Thanks again for the photo posted above. It sure looks like the mechanician. I wonder where it was shot?

Howard

From Starting Lineup: 1908 Motor Parkway Sweepstakes

I greatly appreciate all your E-mails pertaining to the Vanderbilt Cup Races.  An incredible racing experience indeed, without a doubt an auto racing education - thanks.  I looked at all the photos of the Vanderbilt Cup starting lineup cars and drivers, and I must say they were the true auto racing pioneers -  “From A Few Years Back.”  Incredible, amazing, educational, and a time honored tribute to the men and machines of the Vanderbilt Cup Races.

From Starting Lineup: The 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race

Art K:
Thanks for the offer. The VHB manager in charge of this project is Paul Campagnola at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Howard

From Motor Parkway Trail Update: February 5, 2010

Hi Walter:

Great eye! I have replaced the photo with this image of the #4 Chadwick on Ellison Road heading over the Long Island Railroad bridge.

Howard

From Starting Lineup: The 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race

Very impressive collaboration - and the great platform to make it happen!

From New Updates: California Photo Identified, Another Pickering Gem and Mineola Now

Hi Howard,  The number 4 car is a 50HP Simplex. Regards, Walter

From Starting Lineup: The 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race

Howard, thanks for the update on the Trailway; this sounds great. Please keep me in mind as I certainly offer any assistance I can provide the panel or VHB on any aspect of the project.

From Motor Parkway Trail Update: February 5, 2010

Hi Joan:

Thanks so much for your comment!

Howard

From Driver Profile: William Luttgen Part IV -The 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race

Hi Richard:

Here is the link again: http://www.airportappraisals.com/contact/

Lindbergh’s flight is discussed in all 4 parts. Part 3 shows the takeoff.

Howard

From Historic Views of Roosevelt Field, the Motor Parkway and Lindbergh's Takeoff

There are a few possibilities: Carona, Elgin, Santa Monica and Venice are the most likely in my opinion. Other major runs like Lowell, Fairmont Park and Briarcliff seem less likely in my judgment due to the terrain, but they are possibilities as well. A review of those fields in from 1908 - 1914 will get to the bottom of it.

Mark
http://www.firstsuperspeedway.com

From Can You Identify This California Race Photo?