Vanderbilt Cup Races

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

What better place to maintain the legacy of racing on LI and the Motor Parkway.  Definitely a no brainer.

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

As a kid, I always enjoyed visiting Mr. Clark’s auto collection and getting a ride on the antique fire engines through the woods at the rear of the property. Probably even more fun was the opportunity of poking through the storage buildings and the unrestored stuff stored outside. One of the cars that was relegated to the “junk yard” was a 4-cylinder Dodge Brothers sedan (?) that had the rear body removed and converted into a farm truck. As I recall, it had a 1947 license plate. I bought the Dodge from Mr. Clark for $20 and he personally delivered it to my home in Riverhead for another $25. I did manage to get it running.

From More on the Long Island Automotive Museum

Hi Walter:

Thanks for the insight! Much appreciated.

Howard

From More on the Long Island Automotive Museum

Hi Jan:

Thanks for the heads-up. Give it another try.

Howard

From The Bridgehampton Race Circuit...Today

Can I enter and bring my 1968 Amx?
Brian
516 983 6648

From Great Neck Record " Plaza Autofest/Street Festival Oct.11"

I’m stand next to the owner of the last two micheal sperrazza he now lives in Virginia

From The 1911 Breese Racer

I too believe the property is still in the Clark family. I had many great times at the museum with Austin (he always referred to himself as Austin, not Austie)as did Walter McCarthy. We had great lunches at John Duck’s restaurant, and were well lubricated by the time we left at the end of the day. Austin was a loyal friend and had a wicked sense of humor.

From More on the Long Island Automotive Museum

A Long Island Auto Racing and the Long Island Motor Parkway Museum are long overdue for Long Island! Let’s make it happen.

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

October 11th 2009 Will be going down in the history books, when Great Neck Autofest and Street Festival will be hosting the “Black Beast”. I am looking forward in meeting the owner, and to actually see automotive history on that day. I will be showing my 1966 burgundy Pontiac GTO, there as well. looking forward for a great day. Hope to see you all, and DON’T FORGET THE CAMERAS! 
          Thank you John Hotetz

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

Could not open videos on my PC, very frustrating.
Great job on the Bridge, unable to make it yesterday unfortunately.

From The Bridgehampton Race Circuit...Today

Cannot open videos on my PC which is very frustrating.  Can you try to send me directly.
I owned Frank Dominianni’s ‘62 Corvette #69, SCCA BP Natnl Champ in 1964.  Frank ran this race in 1963 & 1964, not 1965 I believe.  I have Dave Friedman photos.  Retired car after 1966 (won warmup race at Bridge before CanAm).  I bought it in 1970, owned for 32 yrs, vintage raced.

Jan Hyde

From Video "The 1965 Vanderbilt Cup Race at the Bridgehampton Race Circuit"