Vanderbilt Cup Races

I enjoyed meeting you on October 11th in Great Neck . The Black Beast is nothing short of amazing.

From Film "The "Black Beast" at the 2009 Great Neck Plaza Autofest/Festival"

Howard Thanks for Making October 11th a memorable day.

From Film "The "Black Beast" at the 2009 Great Neck Plaza Autofest/Festival"

Thank you for sharing the great vehicle with the public!  The Vanderbilt connection’s especially meaningful to me because my parents’ former backyard (@ 214 Street & Richland Avenue in Hollis Hills) adjoins the ‘Old Motor Parkway’.  I played there when I was a kid & walk there with Marlene now.  I’m a toy train buff & never knew that Alco built autos (however briefly).  The brochure’s essay about the car’s history (& tie in to the French manufacturer) is fascinating.  12 out of 5000 surviving: WOW!  And it’s great that it’s back in its country of origin.

From Film "The "Black Beast" at the 2009 Great Neck Plaza Autofest/Festival"

Hi Joe;

Motor Parkway Panel convenor Sam Berliner suggests that the first bridge in the photo went over Hewlett Avenue.

The Motor Parkway investigation unit is on the scene and will report back this week!

Howard

From The Motor Parkway from Little Neck Parkway to Marcus Avenue Part I

There are no tributes to the rich racing heritage that existed here on Long Island. One man, Marty Hines is working to keep the memories of the circle track days alive but there is no one else. The tracks on Long Island, except Riverhead, are all gone where at one time there were over 30! Bridgehampton is almost unrecognizable today and the only tribute to this historical racing landmark are rotting flag stations, crumbling asphalt, a golf course that poisons the local water supply and a movie that is bad, you serious would walk on in an airplane (it is that pathetic). It is up to us to tell the story of racing here on Long Island for all generations. On Sunday I took my grandson to a hanger where they restore old aircraft at Floyd Bennett field and told him that the Grumman Goose landed in water. He looked at me in surprise and said, “Hair-planes don’t land in water.” Count me in; I already have research on some LI events and graphic resources to help support the effort.

From Film: "Willie K's Eagle Nest Mansion"and a Request for Feedback

From Walter C:

Howard, I have never seen our members so excited about any program we have brought to the campus!  They were absolutely enthused and engrossed.  They are an interested and curious group to begin with, but their response to you was beyond my experience with them!  Surely it was the fascination with the Long Island history that appealed to them; and the thrill of your beautiful car; but more than that it was your endless enthusiasm and personable attention to your topic and to them that really made the day.  I received many comments that afternoon acknowledging your appealing presentation that made the afternoon so exciting.  Bravo!!

From A Busy Day for the Black Beast and the Alco-6 Team

Great job Howard, wish I could come to see your presentation. Please keep this going. This is important to racing history. Thank you again,
Gene Ingram
New Castle, In.

From Film "The Long Island Vanderbilt Cup Races (1904-1937)"

This would be wonderful ! This is an important part of Long Island history that most people don’t even know about. The only reason I knew anything about it is because of my interest in old cars, and having grown up in Dix Hills and ridden on a local stretch known only as Venderbilt Parkway. The beginning of which is just West of the Dix Hills Library.

From Film: "Willie K's Eagle Nest Mansion"and a Request for Feedback

What a fabulous idea, Howard!  Your tireless research in learning everything about the Vanderbilt Cup is nothing less than extraordinary.  It would add significantly to the Long Island Museum experience.

From Film: "Willie K's Eagle Nest Mansion"and a Request for Feedback

Hi Joe:

Sure anytime! Send an email to me at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Howard

From The Motor Parkway from Little Neck Parkway to Marcus Avenue Part I

Dear Howard,
I keep looking at the first overhead picture you have posted with the 10/8/2009 blog.  At first I thought Marcus Avenue must have moved, but I have changed my mind.  I keep comparing the photo with historicariels.com and google earth, and I believe the spot you marked as Little Neck Parkway bridge just cannot be.  I would love to discuss this further with you.
-joe o

From The Motor Parkway from Little Neck Parkway to Marcus Avenue Part I

Hi George:

I appreciate another Austin Clark recollection. By the way, I have been told the Southampton property is still owned by the Clark family.

Howard

From More on the Long Island Automotive Museum

Hi John:

I will be checking out your “little GTO’ on Sunday. The weather forecast is looking good!!

Howard

From Great Neck Plaza Promotes Next Week's Autofest/Festival

Hi Elliot:

Here’s some answers for you:

http://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/index.php/blog/article/wednesday_october_7_2009_motor_parkway_concret_posts_west_of_little_neck_pa

Howard

From The Long Island Motor Parkway Bridge Over Little Neck Parkway in Queens

Great footage! Thanks!

From Film "The Long Island Vanderbilt Cup Races (1904-1937)"

This seems to make total sense. If the museum can accommodate this and support it, that would be great. With WKV being the driving force and support of racing on L.I and America, it really would be very fitting.

From Film: "Willie K's Eagle Nest Mansion"and a Request for Feedback

I say thanks for the added insight.

From The Bridgehampton Race Circuit...Today

  From Earl Gandel:
Howard,
I have to comment on Guy Frost’s remembrance of Bridgehampton.  In case anyone reads it, they should be aware that Guy ignores completely the 14 years between the last TransAm (1970) and when Bob Rubin took over.  I was partners with first Dick Gary and Bob Bochroch, then Bill Conlon in Bridgehampton Racing Group.  We leased the track from BRRC for very little, which increased every year with the taxes, to operate it and promote races.  During that time, we introduced pro AMA and other motorcycle road racing, motocross, Formula Atlantic and the Jim Russell Racing School to fill out busy programs of SCCA, EMRA and other club events. That was the era of lawsuits over noise with the town and county, which BRG defended in court many times, at our expense, without assistance from our weekend tenants. True, we operated on a shoestring, but we kept the place alive for 14 years after it was pronounced dead.
The so-called “Save The Bridge” movement was too litle, too late, and ineffective.  Bob Rubin may have had racing in mind for the first few years, but it should not be forgotten that he’s the one who plowed in the track and built a very expensive (and I hope profitable) golf course.  The attempt to memorialize the track with video in the clubhouse for the private viewing of his members should not be seen as a memorial but a tombstone.
Many of the things Guy, on behalf of the weekend racers, takes credit for were the results of BRG’s hard work, money, and sacrifice.  It doesn’t matter that this is forgotten, but the record should at least be made straight.
Thanks,  Earl Gandel

From The Bridgehampton Race Circuit...Today

Howard,
I think your efforts toward a permanent museum space for all things Vanderbilt cup and auto racing on Long Island are spot on.  The association with the Vanderbilt museum is a perfect fit. Willie K’s Passion for the sport speaks for it self. There is no greater endorsement than his.
  When visiting the museum the public would get a chance to see the connection between the Vanderbilt cup and all the racing that followed on Long Island. Long Island was truly the birth place of auto racing in the united States. A fact that would make Willie K smile .

From Film: "Willie K's Eagle Nest Mansion"and a Request for Feedback

Howard,
I have to comment on Guy Frost’s remembrance of Bridgehampton.  In case anyone reads it, they should be aware that Guy ignores completely the 14 years between the last TransAm (1970) and when Bob Rubin took over.  I was partners with first Dick Gary and Bob Bochroch, then Bill Conlon in Bridgehampton Racing Group.  We leased the track from BRRC for very little, which increased every year with the taxes, to operate it and promote races.  During that time, we introduced pro AMA and other motorcycle road racing, motocross, Formula Atlantic and the Jim Russell Racing School to fill out busy programs of SCCA, EMRA and other club events. That was the era of lawsuits over noise with the town and county, which BRG defended in court many times, at our expense, without assistance from our weekend tenants. True, we operated on a shoestring, but we kept the place alive for 14 years after it was pronounced dead.
The so-called “Save The Bridge” movement was too litle, too late, and ineffective.  Bob Rubin may have had racing in mind for the first few years, but it should not be forgotten that he’s the one who plowed in the track and built a very expensive (and I hope profitable) golf course.  The attempt to memorialize the track with video in the clubhouse for the private viewing of his members should not be seen as a memorial but a tombstone.
Many of the things Guy, on behalf of the weekend racers, takes credit for were the results of BRG’s hard work, money, and sacrifice.  It doesn’t matter that this is forgotten, but the record should at least be made straight.
Thanks,  Earl Gandel

From Film: "Willie K's Eagle Nest Mansion"and a Request for Feedback