Vanderbilt Cup Races

Todays’s mystery foto shows Willie K. Jr. driving his 1903 Mercedes with Dr. Louis Lanehart as a passenger at the intersection of Willis Ave. and Jericho Tpke. heading east (the famous Krug’s corner) during the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race. This is the same car that Willie K. used in setting the 1-mile land speed record of 92.4 mph 2 years earlier at Ormond Beach, FL. While not competing in the race, Willie K. was out checking on race course conditions.

From Mystery Foto #15 Solved: William K. Vanderbilt Jr. on the 1906 American Elimination Trial Course

And again,give me more,never enough,I’ll keep up with you

From A Mother's Day Tribute: Alva Vanderbilt Belmont

Amazing as usual keep it coming

From Newsday 1954 Article: "Motor Parkway 'Ghosts' Haunt Northern State"

I remember as a kid the old grand central/northern parkway. The bridge with the trees always made me wonder. Little did I know it was part of the Vanderbilt pkwy near where I lived in (now) Dix Hills. I’m in my late 50"s now. Little remains of the RFD (rural farm delivery) of my life as a child in one of the first small house developments of that area. I remember Vanderbilt Parkway east of Deer Park Ave RT231-(then a 2 lane road) as a road in the woods with lots of hills and turns, my father would drive the ‘63 Cadillac down fast would make my stomach fly. It was great!

From Newsday 1954 Article: "Motor Parkway 'Ghosts' Haunt Northern State"

I wanted to answer sooner tha this,but had a very busy day,being it was such a nice day out,I did alot of things outdoors,but guess what? I think I have all the right answes to this mystery.The race was in 1906,the location was,without a doubt in my miind,seen it so many times,Krug’s Corner on Jericho&Willis; Ave.,the car is a 1903 Mercedes and last but not least the one and only Willian K Vanderbilt Jr and Dr. Lanehart. This one seemed to be a very easy one for everyone,we see it at your presentations.

From Mystery Foto #15 Solved: William K. Vanderbilt Jr. on the 1906 American Elimination Trial Course

To be more specific than my previous answer, this is when Willie K heard the crowd was so out of control he decided to do a lap around the course himself to check it out.

From Mystery Foto #15 Solved: William K. Vanderbilt Jr. on the 1906 American Elimination Trial Course

Thanks for the pictures that connect me to the book we read in high school. Also, another nostalgic link is that my grandfather built the sets for the first Gatby movie.

From Inspiration for the Mansions of "The Great Gatsby" & The Hempstead House Screening Gala

Finally! One that’s sadly not an aerial, but easy enough for me! Most of it I knew, but I had to cheat and look up the years of the race and the year of Vanderbilt’s Benz…

-The location
Jericho Turnpike and Willis Avenue in Mineola

-The race
1906 Elimination Trial or Cup Race (they drove through and cleared the track for both)

-The car
Vanderbilt’s 1903 Mercedes that broke the one-mile land speed record

-The two people in the car
Willie K and Dr. Louis Lanehart

From Mystery Foto #15 Solved: William K. Vanderbilt Jr. on the 1906 American Elimination Trial Course

Hi Howard,

Well, for those who have your book, just have a look page 69… 😉

Best

From Mystery Foto #15 Solved: William K. Vanderbilt Jr. on the 1906 American Elimination Trial Course

This was easy for me.  Krugs Corner.  I have this exact picture in my mind every time I drive by there.
-joe

From Mystery Foto #15 Solved: William K. Vanderbilt Jr. on the 1906 American Elimination Trial Course

Beautiful pictures!!!!!

From Inspiration for the Mansions of "The Great Gatsby" & The Hempstead House Screening Gala

Wow.  Terrific. Congrats.

From VanderbiltCupRaces.com Selected as One of the Five Best in the World for "Car Sites & Car Culture"

I’ve been to Sands Point,knew about the old buildings,not connected with the Vanderbilt though,how interesting is that. I have to go check it again,but a little more closely this time.Never enough to know about Vanderbilt and you’ll always find something about it somehow.

From Inspiration for the Mansions of "The Great Gatsby" & The Hempstead House Screening Gala

It’s impressive to look at these astonishing houses, which were once part of a world that is so far away now. Beautiful and very informative videos as well. I enjoyed them very much!

From Inspiration for the Mansions of "The Great Gatsby" & The Hempstead House Screening Gala

What a historic day that was for you, Howard.

From Profile: Frank Lee, Mechanician for the Alco Black Beast

Good job guys with the answers and adding a little more info and Frank,that question you’re not sure of,you’ll get from someone else,most likely Howard,knowing him.

From Mystery Foto #14 Solved: East Meadow/Westbury: Location for Six Vanderbilt Cup Race Courses

I was in the area today,took a quick walk thru,was surprised to see that there wasn’t much litter around, from the kids at all,so Greg you’re right.“No Couch No Hang Out”.

From The Amazing North Hempstead Clean-Up Day of the Motor Parkway in East Williston

I agree with all the previous comments and then some Howard….You’re a gem !

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

Nice shot. It’s future Eisenhower Park in the center looking north, here it’s Salisbury golf course with Stewart Ave running undivided, east-west through the course. The LIMP is north of Stewart running parallel to it. Plenty of golfing here. Meadowbrook Club golf is west of Salisbury golf where the MSPkwy will run thru 7 years later. Mitchell Field is just west of that. The Meadowbrook Park racetrack is on the east side of Salisbury golf, remnants still exists today as part of the school’s backyard. Appears all 3 LIMP bridges are gone, also the Meadowbrook lodge. I see a corner of the Meadowbrook polo grounds along the left edge, Roosevelt horse raceway with its circular stables on left, Front Street is in the bottom right corner running diagonally east-west. Correct me but I think there were 7 Cup races that ran through here: ’04-Hmpstd Tpke, ’08/’09/’10-Limp/Old Country Rd, ’36/’37/’60-Roosevelt raceway, not sure. Is that an extended East Meadow Ave running north-south through the park?

From Mystery Foto #14 Solved: East Meadow/Westbury: Location for Six Vanderbilt Cup Race Courses

Howard,
That was terrific!  I feel that more of our fellow antique auto owners should make themselves available to answer questions about their cars.  How else can we expect the young people of today to keep the interest going in our automotive history.
Whan I am at a car show, I have the opportunity to have discussions about the hobby and my cars.  On some occasions, I invite a young person to sit behind the steering wheel and blow the horn.  Who knows what will ignite an interest in old cars.  That’s my take on it.
Rog

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