Vanderbilt Cup Races

Hello Howard:
Thought that you would be interested in THE ILLGEN CLASSIC…
a four hour race sponsored by the RDC (Racing Drivers Club) and SCCA San Francisco Region in honor of Martin and Margaret Illgen. 
Margaret was Charles Burman’s niece.

  The automobile defined both Martin and Margaret Illgen’s entire lives, and we can be sure that there was rejoicing in auto racing heaven when they became a couple.  They were certainly an effective team and dedicated workers you could count on to “get the job done,” which was one of Martin’s favorite sayings.  Theirs was a union of complimentary skills. 
  From the first light of a race weekend helping Margaret set up registration with his jovial “top of the morning” greeting- accompanied by one of the strongest handshakes you would experience in a lifetime- to the last cleanup details at the end of Sundays’ racing, Martin’s forceful, yet always friendly and positive attitude seemed to dissolve most problems and challenges.  He was there to help, sweeping a turn, pushing a car, passing out paper plates, or flipping a burger, it did not matter.
  They were both the embodiment of race workers everywhere who show passion, dedication, and the camaraderie that is necessary to organize and conduct a safe race.  That exchange of social support went both ways and was never so important as when the racing community rallied to Margaret’s side at the time of Martin’s passing in 1983.  The racing clubs provided immense emotional support, giving her strength and meaning to continue on- without her companion.  The automotive “family” named the Enduro first in Martin’s honor, then included Margaret, and it is especially fitting that the event is as much about the team work and comradeship as it is about the racing. 
    Born in Oakland, a major industrial center that celebrated motor racing early, Martin was attracted to the local wooden board tracks that were cheaper to produce than paving a road.  There were raceways, dirt tracks, and motorcycle motordromes in the amusement parks of Alameda, Emeryville, and Berkeley.  In Elmhurst- a suburb of Oakland before it was incorporated- was a one quarter mile track, with a perfect circle and forty degree banking that would send racers flinging at the spectators lining the upper, outer rim.  Later, midget racers were everywhere in the bay area, including inside the Oakland Exposition Building, where your eyes would burn from the smoke and fumes, and Bob Sweikert, 1955 Indy winner would show the way. 
  Martin’s engineering and technical skills were put to use early, as he made major repairs to the family Cadillac while he was still in high school.  The great depression limited his choices, and he worked as a mechanic and tow truck driver for AAA in a shop that one of Margaret’s uncles owned, where she worked as secretary.  Love blossomed, and in 1931 a marriage was celebrated and four children followed.
  In the late 30’s Martin was working at the motorcycle drome inside the Oakland Oaks ball park and at the Oakland Speedway, maintaining the equipment and driving the “crash truck” that would push the disabled racers aside.  The speedway was known as “the fastest dirt track in the nation” where drivers like two time AAA national champion and four time Indianapolis pole starter Rex Mays was unbeatable.  Martin- with his huge “popeye” like arms and massive “front feet,” could repair just about any automotive device and used his services throughout the years keeping the “big rigs” running.
  Margaret’s family was all things automotive, and had owned a foundry, then a radiator manufacturing business in the “rust belt.”  They set up a rental car agency in Victoria B.C. where Margaret was born, and then her uncles- who served as father figures- set up repair shops and automotive dealerships in Oakland and the Bay Area.
  In Cleveland, her Uncle Charles Burman- a bicycle racer- worked for Winton Motor Carriage Company in 1900, and moved to Peerless Motor Company a year later.  These car builders were the first two American manufacturers to race in Europe in an International competition- The Gordon Bennett Cup. That event in France would become what we now know as Formula One.  Europe had a large head start building automobiles and both American companies were soundly beaten.  Within two years, the brilliant Peerless designer- Louis P. Mooers- would take the lessons he learned in Europe, build the underslung Peerless “Green Dragons,” and with Barney Oldfield at the wheel and clenching a cigar in his mouth, defeated two time Gordon Bennett winner, Leon Therey, French champion Maurice Bernin, and Italian ace Paul Satori.  Oldfield was billed as the “The World’s Premiere Motorist” and Margaret’s uncle was there as his mechanic and racing team mate. 
  Uncle Charles Burman, as Peerless riding mechanic, raced the sands of Ormond and Daytona Beach at the beginning of 1904 in the reworked Gordon Bennett car. By mid-summer he was driving against Barney’s Green Dragon on a Peerless stripped touring car, setting class and “world” records while barnstorming together in their “mile a minute” racers across the country.  In 1905, for the first American National Championship (sponsored by AAA) designer Mooers provided Burma with a purpose built “Peerless Blue Streak.”  In the over-slung car, with the engine set low in the frame, Charlie won the Cleveland National race and finished in a four way tie for third place for the year.  Barney and the Green Dragon took the first American Championship that today is the The Indycar Series.  As track racing became extremely dangerous and drivers were being hurt, a call went out to abolish “the track game.”  Peerless dropped from track racing to concentrate on reliability runs as a way of advertising their car’s dependability.  Burman stayed on with Peerless and lead three teams to three consecutive year’s perfect Glidden Tour scores and then came to the Bay Area as their west coast representative. 
  As a conversation piece, Margaret loved to wear her Uncle Charlie’s Champ Car gold medal (from Cleveland) to the races.  Working registration, helping out at Race Central, or as head of membership, she was a talker and enjoyed the social aspect of the races.  She and Martin would organize the SCCA membership booth at the Import Auto Show, and adjust the family’s Thanksgiving dinner schedule to suit.   
  In the 1950s, when urban sprawl would claim The Oakland Speedway for a shopping mall, the sports car road races held at places like Golden Gate Park and Pebble Beach, were gaining momentum.  Janet Illgen (the oldest daughter) was engaged to Jack Carpenter- an M.G. driving, sports car enthusiast.  Jack was working the turns and Martin was immediately on board.  In those days, sports car clubs would form a team and “man” a turn, so it was natural that the Illgen family joined up with Jack’s Highland Touring Club.  As Buddies, rally co-drivers, and course workers, Jack and “Mart” would come to organize the turn crews, write the first workers manual that unified the flag and emergency signals, set up flagging stations at tracks such as Crow’s Landing, The Port of Stockton, Sears Point and Laguna Seca.  They helped pioneer many of the safety features that made the San Francisco SCCA one of the best racing organizations in the world.  Between them they would hold the Chief Turn Marshal title for decades.  Martin was particularly proud when Stirling Moss- driving his first day of practice at Laguna Seca- pulled to the side of the course at the top of the corkscrew, pointed at “Marty”, motioned him over, and told him he had the best flagging crew in the world!  Stirling liked the team’s use of the passing flag.
  The Illgens would continue working until their last days as Race Chairman and Membership Chief, giving as only they could, and pulling from the vast reservoir of love and support that is the racing community.

https://www.facebook.com/Racing-Drivers-Club-139573216074670/

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From In Search of Driver/Mechanician Charles Burman Updated: 10/30/2019

Location - Commack, the N/E corner of the intersection of the LIMP and Commack Rd in 1924
The owner of the Standard Oil Company of NY gas station was Lou Austin, the lodge keeper of the Brentwood #2 lodge that was on that site from 1922-23. In 1924 a new lodge was built on the S/E corner.  The Bonwit Inn restaurant now occupies the original site.

From Mystery Foto #43 Solved:Lou Austin's Commack Gas Station/Restaurant on the Long Island Motor Parkway

Commack Road and Vanderbilt Motor Parkway, in 1924
Lou W. Austin, formerly the toll lodge keeper at this location, opened the Standard Oil Company of NY (SOCONY) station when the lodge moved to the south side of Vanderbilt.  Currently, this is the site of the Bonwit Inn.

From Mystery Foto #43 Solved:Lou Austin's Commack Gas Station/Restaurant on the Long Island Motor Parkway

I would like to join you guys on your adventures. I am Chris Battestin from Massapequa,  member of the Preservation Society,  .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

From Updated: Sam & Dave's "Excellent Motor Parkway Hike" IV: Old Bethpage

Thanks guys.

From Updated: Sam & Dave's "Excellent Motor Parkway Hike" IV: Old Bethpage

Dave Russo….I was delighted that the 1926 maps are clearer than the 1950 ones. Your seeing the parkway in it’s magnificence! Here’s another neat trick…locate the Robbins La Pkwy Bridge ( Between Roslyn Rd and Wheatley Hills Golf Course ) on the 1926 or any of the other maps, then click on the location. The current property info will display. It matches perfectly with Frank Femenias"s submitted aerials.

Also want to point out that Mr. Berliner has had these maps for years, and the maps are on his website. I just came across the Nassau County site because of extensive internet searching.

From Mystery Foto: #42 Solved: A 1926 Aerial of the Motor Parkway & A Guide to Finding 1926/1950 Aerials

This is a history lesson I’ve been looking forward to reading for many years. The James Melton/Robert Kauffman Renault lived here in Ridgefield Ct. until Melton found it in 1943. I have two photos of the car here in town back in the 1920’s with the odd plank fenders, and large headlights. I’ve always wondered who had it before James Melton bought it. Bob
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Howard Kroplick

Bob, if you wish to share the photos, please send Jpegs to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Thanks!

From Updated: Article "The Vanderbilt Renaults" by Marvin McFalls

....And the Roslyn Lodge

From Mystery Foto: #42 Solved: A 1926 Aerial of the Motor Parkway & A Guide to Finding 1926/1950 Aerials

Whoops! Forgot Robbins Farmway bridge after Roslyn Rd

From Mystery Foto: #42 Solved: A 1926 Aerial of the Motor Parkway & A Guide to Finding 1926/1950 Aerials

We’re looking at East Williston. North is up. You see the LIMP enter at the bottom where it jumps over Hillside Avenue before entering the Wheatly Hills Golf Club, then curving left (west) near the top of the image. There is a bridge for golfers there! Glen Cove Road is to the right (east).

From Mystery Foto: #42 Solved: A 1926 Aerial of the Motor Parkway & A Guide to Finding 1926/1950 Aerials

Nice find producing another fantastic aerial! 1926 East Williston with north up. A rare view of still intact Motor Pkwy bridges that have ALL been taken down and gone forever. From left to right are; Willis Ave bridge, Oyster Bay LIRR bridge, Roslyn Rd bridge, after the curve southward the Wheatley Hills Golf bridge, and the Hillside Ave bridge. Motor Pkwy was built four years before the golf course and club members could access the clubhouse from the parkway. Howard, sending an overlay.

From Mystery Foto: #42 Solved: A 1926 Aerial of the Motor Parkway & A Guide to Finding 1926/1950 Aerials

This is a view of the MP directly over Williston Park, Roslyn, Albertson and East Williston - starting from Willis Avenue on the left thru the Wheatley Hills golf course.  You can also make out the Roslyn toll lodge.

MP crosses over Willis, LIRR, Roslyn Rd, Hillside Ave.

I believe you can also make out the home of Willis on the bottom left by the lake.  I’m not sure when the home was demolished.

From Mystery Foto: #42 Solved: A 1926 Aerial of the Motor Parkway & A Guide to Finding 1926/1950 Aerials

Upon first glance from west to east that looks like LIMP going over Willis Ave, then over Roslyn Road, proceeding into what is now Wheatley Hills golf course, making the sharp turn south to avoid the rich/powerful people of Old Westbury, just like the Northern State was forced to do and crossing over Hillside.

Brian thanks for map tip. Very cool. Strange thing….I tinkered around w it for a few mins and it appears the 1926 aerials are more clear/concise then the 50’s. you would think it would be the opposite.

From Mystery Foto: #42 Solved: A 1926 Aerial of the Motor Parkway & A Guide to Finding 1926/1950 Aerials

We’re looking at an aerial view over East Williston with north at the top of the photo. The LIMP enters at the left, heads east and then curves south with bridges over Willis Avenue, LIRR Oyster Bay Branch, Roslyn Road and Hillside Avenue. Also in view is the “golfway” bridge in the middle of Wheatley Hills Golf Course and the Roslyn Lodge just west of Roslyn Road. The other major road is Glen Cove Road running north - south near the right side of the photo.

From Mystery Foto: #42 Solved: A 1926 Aerial of the Motor Parkway & A Guide to Finding 1926/1950 Aerials

The location of the mystery photo is a section of the LIMP from Willis Ave to Hillside Ave. This would include the hamlets and villages of Albertson, Williston Park, East Williston, and Old Westbury.
Major roads - Willis Ave, Roslyn Rd, Guinea Woods Rd (Glen Cove Rd), New York State Route 25B ( Hillside Ave, East Williston Ave),  and the future ROW for New York State Route 908G (Northern State Parkway).

LIMP bridges - Willis Ave, LIRR Oyster bay Branch, Roslyn Rd, Robbins Lane, Wheatley Hills, and Hillside Ave.
Building - Roslyn Lodge

Golf Course - Wheatley Hill golf club.

From Mystery Foto: #42 Solved: A 1926 Aerial of the Motor Parkway & A Guide to Finding 1926/1950 Aerials

also on the top of the photo looks like mitchell field or roosevelt air field.???

From Mystery Foto: #42 Solved: A 1926 Aerial of the Motor Parkway & A Guide to Finding 1926/1950 Aerials

i think i see the roosevelt race track but i may be mistaken as there were many tracks for horse racing back then.  that is about all i can say

From Mystery Foto: #42 Solved: A 1926 Aerial of the Motor Parkway & A Guide to Finding 1926/1950 Aerials

That’s ALL we see of the Auburn?  C’mon, Howard!  Sam, III
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Howard Kroplick

See above photo courtey of Nancy Corn

From Tucker 1044 Featured at the Huge Great Neck AutoFest and Street Festival

Anyone can look it up so I’ll go it alone.  That’s the area of the Wheatley Hills GC in Williston Park/Albertson/wherever, directly over Roslyn Road just north of the Jericho Pike (like that?), with Willis Avenue at far left, then the LIRR’s Oyster Bay Branch, then Roslyn Road, the LIMP Row curving down from the near top, and finally Guinea Woods Road at far right.  I. U. Willets Road is at the very top and Hillside-cum-East Williston Avenue at the bottom.  The road crossings are obvious, as is the Roslyn Lodge, and the Wheatley Hills GC bridge shows clearly near the lower right.  Whew!  Sam, III

From Mystery Foto: #42 Solved: A 1926 Aerial of the Motor Parkway & A Guide to Finding 1926/1950 Aerials

East Williston, showing the LIMP curving through the Wheatley Hills Golf Course?
Glen Cove Road on vertical right.
Hillside Avenue across bottom, and LIMP bridge over Hillside visible lower right.

From Mystery Foto: #42 Solved: A 1926 Aerial of the Motor Parkway & A Guide to Finding 1926/1950 Aerials