Vanderbilt Cup Races

From Tim:

Not only do I really enjoy your Vanderbilt site, I’m in the first 20 seconds of Jeff Payne’s film as TR goes by in the ALCO.
A grand moment…..............................for TR and you of course.

From Pioneering Driver Janet Guthrie Rides In the Alco Black Beast

That Creedmore Spur bridge was gone long before the 70s. But the embankment to the bridge remained as a steep hill crest on both sides of Jericho. It was leveled and spruced up in the late 60s. The spur is now a parking lot running from Jericho right to the fence of John Lewis School on Tyson. the cement silos midway up the spur are Floral Park landmarks. The long gone tracks of the spur continued to appear on some Hagstrum maps for years as a way for the map company to prove that someone had plagerized their map research.

The bridge-hill is still rather pronounced on the north side of Jericho at Little Neck Parkway.
Bummed I can’t go to your night with the Historical Sociaety in my town of FP. My brother Dennis should be there.

From Then & Now: The 1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race Course in Floral Park

From Charles M:
Bete noir was fantastic last week.

From Pioneering Driver Janet Guthrie Rides In the Alco Black Beast

Sincere thanks to all who attended the car show on Saturday & Sunday, both car owners and spectators. Special thanks to Seamus Keane and the staff and volunteers at the Cradle of Aviation Museum. Our Classic Car Club Region is only a year old, and a lot of effort went into planning to try to make it a fun experience for all. The smiles on the faces of those present made it all worth it.
Walt Gosden

From Pioneering Driver Janet Guthrie Rides In the Alco Black Beast

I wanted to thank everyone for a great weekend at the last Vanderbilt.  I cant wait to see the Pictures from the photographer…  I would love to get more involved and possibly do more events..
Sincerely,
  Vincent Maida
  Maida Racing

From Pioneering Driver Janet Guthrie Rides In the Alco Black Beast

From James S:

The events on Saturday were AMAZING…the exhibit…the gymkhana and…topping it off…the numerous runs of the Black Beast…My son was in heaven! He told me the Beast even “smelled like the old brickyard and gasoline alley.” Interesting since…he’s never been to Indy.

From Pioneering Driver Janet Guthrie Rides In the Alco Black Beast

From Bruce K:

Thanks for the picture of me riding with you!  It was a thrill and special, even more exhilarating than driving the Formula cars I used to race.

From Highlights from the First Day of the Vanderbilt Race Centennial Celebration

Thanks for your kind words Howard. We enjoyed having you!

From In Search of Alcos: #3 Manny Souza's 1908 Alco Touring Car

Might it be possible to add a similar
“map” of the original Bridgehampton “around the houses” road racing course, Howard?

I have such of the original Watkins Glen road course but have never seen a similar Bridgehampton
version.

Thanks for considering,

Rog Patterson

From Archives: 1908 Course

Howie, We can’t wait to see the show!

From Highlights from the First Day of the Vanderbilt Race Centennial Celebration

From Guy Frost:

I’m not positive, but I think they are coming both days.

From Cradle of Aviation to Host Vanderbilt Race Centennial Exhibit in October

Hi James:

I don’t know the answer but will check with Guy Frost who issued the press release.

Howard

From Cradle of Aviation to Host Vanderbilt Race Centennial Exhibit in October

Can’t wait to see the other 525 or so!  Great collection.

From From the Ron Ridolph Collection: Images of the Long Island Motor Parkway

LIAHSTC note said Bonham’s appraisals would be available to participants- any particular timing or reservation needed?

From Cradle of Aviation to Host Vanderbilt Race Centennial Exhibit in October

Yes, terrific. thanks

From From the Ron Ridolph Collection: Images of the Long Island Motor Parkway

I’m amazed that such an event was held 8 months after the attack on Pearl Harbor! We were deep in war then. Probably had gas rationing by then.

I grew up in nearby Bridgeport, CT, where I was an airplane spotter for several years. Back in those days we didn’t have early warning radar, so we had a Ground Observer Corps, or Aircraft Warning Corps (AWS). There were observation posts all along the seacoast. Our observation post was atop the Bridgeport City Trust Company, and called in reports of aircraft to a ploting room at Headquartes, I Fighter Command, Mitchel Field, NY. Most of the spotters were ladies, elderly gentlemen. and a few young kids like myself. One of the ladies reported a “flying submarine”, which turned out to be a blimp! The AWS was disbanded May 27, 1944.

From Film Part II- VMCCA 1942 Antique Auto Derby "Races"

Fascinating history - wonderful photos.

From From the Ron Ridolph Collection: Images of the Long Island Motor Parkway

BULLY!

From President Teddy Roosevelt Visits the Black Beast

From Karen T:

Howard,

First, thank you for the weekly emails from your website, we enjoy them. My daughter Elizabeth enjoyed the book she has that you wrote about the Vanderbilt Cup, you were kind enough to autograph it for her, thank you! Her love of old cars keeps growing. Now it includes old bicycles, she has two she’s currently restoring…

I’d like to make a special request regarding the Hunt Club videos you have. There are several generous people whom I know who were instrumental in its production. The video wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for their efforts, and I’d like to publicly thank them.

Originally, Bill Pate acquired a VHS tape of raw footage of the Hunt Club event from J B Van Sciver. After Bill’s passing, his brother, Carlton O. Pate, loaned the VHS tape to David Reed, who offered to have the contents of the tape professionally digitally edited and put on DVD’s, at his own expense. Carlton agreed. This was no easy task, and not inexpensive! It included the addition of music and the incorporation of the original program from the show. George Dragone generously loaned an original program for the production, which was fantastic. It really helped to make the video what is today. David Reed then loaned a copy of the DVD to Bob Sposato and said he could make some copies for himself and some friends. Without their efforts, we wouldn’t have it!

Thank you Howard for your consideration. Have a great day, and thanks again for your website…

Regards,
Karen T

From Film Part II- VMCCA 1942 Antique Auto Derby "Races"

From Karen T:

Howard,

First, thank you for the weekly emails from your website, we enjoy them. My daughter Elizabeth enjoyed the book she has that you wrote about the Vanderbilt Cup, you were kind enough to autograph it for her, thank you! Her love of old cars keeps growing. Now it includes old bicycles, she has two she’s currently restoring…

I’d like to make a special request regarding the Hunt Club videos you have. There are several generous people whom I know who were instrumental in its production. The video wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for their efforts, and I’d like to publicly thank them.

Originally, Bill Pate acquired a VHS tape of raw footage of the Hunt Club event from J B Van Sciver. After Bill’s passing, his brother, Carlton O. Pate, loaned the VHS tape to David Reed, who offered to have the contents of the tape professionally digitally edited and put on DVD’s, at his own expense. Carlton agreed. This was no easy task, and not inexpensive! It included the addition of music and the incorporation of the original program from the show. George Dragone generously loaned an original program for the production, which was fantastic. It really helped to make the video what is today. David Reed then loaned a copy of the DVD to Bob Sposato and said he could make some copies for himself and some friends. Without their efforts, we wouldn’t have it!

Thank you Howard for your consideration. Have a great day, and thanks again for your website…

Regards,
Karen T

From Film Part I- VMCCA 1942 Antique Auto Derby "50 of America's First Cars"