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.
All Content © 2026 VanderbiltCupRaces.com
Co-Founder and Writer: Howard Kroplick
Co-Founder: Dana Kroplick
Website by Eric Miller Design
Site maintained by Hop Studios
Recent Comments
Robert R:
“Will Dick is not the happiest looking guy I’ve ever seen.”
From Six degrees of Separation: A Mystery Car, Motor Parkway, the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race & the Titanic
From Florence O.:
“Enjoyed the film. A little before my time but Brooklyn is my hometown and this was another little bit of history I didn’t know about. “
From Film: The 1917 Match Races Among Oldfield, Chevrolet and De Palma in Sheepshead Bay Speedway
I spent my childhood in Brooklyn just two miles from the Sheepshead Bay track site. I never heard a mention of it. I was only introduced to its fascinating history when I picked up an old copy of Automobile Quarterly in a used bookstore.
From Film: The 1917 Match Races Among Oldfield, Chevrolet and De Palma in Sheepshead Bay Speedway
I can’t believe the tires could do those speeds! And then there are the brakes… Of course, if I read right, the Packard won, and Packard has long been my favorite classic car (mine is from 1926).
From Film: The 1917 Match Races Among Oldfield, Chevrolet and De Palma in Sheepshead Bay Speedway
Ann B.
“Hi Howard! Thank you for mentioning our marker in your blog, and for all the additional information you gave us. It is all appreciated.”
From Central Park Historical Society Marker: The 1908 Motor Parkway Ground-Breaking Ceremony
You are doing excellent work. Might there be more information in the archives of the New York State Archives in Albany, perhaps dealing with incorporation, land purchases (I don’t know if these are archived in Albany or in the archives of the towns through which the road would pass).\, and other aspects of the road. These papers may only have dry details, but they would anchor, with times and places, the purchases and locations of the road and provide a solid historical foundation for a study of the parkway.
From The Planned Long Island Motor Parkway from Floral Park to Riverhead
From George H:
“K-Can’t believe those cars could do 120mph!! “
From Film: The 1917 Match Races Among Oldfield, Chevrolet and De Palma in Sheepshead Bay Speedway
From Robert R:
“Midgets at Vanderbilt…sir, you are a fountain of terrific knowledge.”
From The Two Midget Racers in the 1936 Vanderbilt Cup Race
It might be wishful thinking on my part - could Manor Road near Riverhead be part of the expected original route?
From The Planned Long Island Motor Parkway from Floral Park to Riverhead
great fun
From Film: The 1917 Match Races Among Oldfield, Chevrolet and De Palma in Sheepshead Bay Speedway
How about a yesterday and today story on the info provided in Mr. DeBono’s comment ?
Phil
From The Planned Long Island Motor Parkway from Floral Park to Riverhead
Howard, Some of the Parkway that goes to Riverhead you can see the"right of way”.If you go out there. I have seen it sometime in the 1980’s. Keep up the good work. Joseph(Motorpky)DeBono
From The Planned Long Island Motor Parkway from Floral Park to Riverhead
Gene, the two ramps on Springfield Boulevard lead to the Queens Greenway bike path on the right-of-way of the Long Island Motor Parkway. No tolls necessary!
From CSI Report: Two Women and A Motor Parkway Sign
I LIVE IN THE AREA NEAR THE START OF THE MOTOR PARKWAY. I FREQUENTLY PASS UNDER THE BRIDGE ON SPRINGFIELD BLVD. I NOTICED THE RAMP BUT NEVER INVESTIGATED IT. DOES IT STILL CONNECT INTO THE PARKWAY?
From CSI Report: Two Women and A Motor Parkway Sign
From Jim P:
“Howard, brilliant analysis of the photo with the two gals ! I love this sort of thing ! JP”
From CSI Report: Two Women and A Motor Parkway Sign
From Bill S.
“Howard – Even though I am not a New Yorker, I do enjoy your weekly emails. I image I takes you a lot of time to research automotive history. On a whim, I searched Wikimedia Commons and came up with this photo owned by the Library of Congress. Note the reference to the George Graham Bain Collection. Possibly another lead for you? I’m sure you are out motoring today. All the best. Bill
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1908_Vanderbilt_Cup,_Herb_Lytle.jpg “
From Image Analysis: Motor Parkway's Opening Day Sweepstakes
From Art S.
“I just opened up the latest, wonderful issue. The detective work on the Springfield Blvd shot’s terrific. Spencer & I often walk by it.
But, as significant as the dirigible flight of July 1919 was, an ‘aeroplane’ (equipped with a radio) was flown by Alcock & Brown in the previous month from New Foundland to Ireland.
Also, look at the description of the landing at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R33_class_airship
I’d have guessed that R34 was one of the German reparation ships but it was built in England.”
From Update From the Pickering Collection: Images of the Vanderbilt Cup Races and Long Island
Great write up. Cant wait for more.
From George Robertson's Last Practice Run
great Job!!!!!
From CSI Report: Two Women and A Motor Parkway Sign
Howard,
Thanks for highlighting William’s contributions to the history of Roslyn and other events whick took place on Long Island in the early 1900s. The Bryant Library has an extensive collection of his photos.
From Update From the Pickering Collection: Images of the Vanderbilt Cup Races and Long Island
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