About
The six Vanderbilt Cup Races held on Long Island from 1904 to 1910 were the greatest sporting events of their day, and the first international automobile road races held in the United States. The races had a far-reaching impact on the development of American automobiles and parkways. This site provides comprehensive information on the races, the Long Island Motor Parkway and current Long Island automotive events, car shows and news.
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Co-Founder and Writer: Howard Kroplick
Co-Founder: Dana Kroplick
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Recent Comments
What a memorable race that was.Enjoying all these oldies but goodies,can never get enough of it
From Mystery Foto #52 Solved: Old 16 at the 1946 VMCCA Jubilee Anniversary at the Mineola Fair Grounds
I remember that coin changer,I used one when I was a driver for Good Humor Ice Cream,way back when?
From The Motor Parkway Toll Collection Structures:#19 and #20 The Ronkonkoma Toll Gate & Ronkonkoma Lodge
Howard, you’ve taught us and entertained us and we are very grateful to what you’ve brought to the table about Long Island and its great cars, and what it is like to restore a great car. Have a very happy Chanukah!
Ron
From Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, and a Wonderful 2017!
From:
From Ariejan Bos:
It took me a great effort to find out on which track the cars were racing, in which I succeeded finally by finding on the internet this tiny picture of the Mineola Fair race course. Only to find out next that all information about the event was on your website! Anyway:
This event was on June 8, 1946, but probably not because of the 50th Anniversary of the Veteran Motor Car Club of America, which was founded in 1938. 50 years of American automotive history (1896-1946) seems to be more likely.
The races were held at the Mineola race track and we see Locomobile Old No.16 with Joe Tracy at the wheel and Peter Helck’s son Jerry as his ‘mechanician’ (well, that’s my guess). The car on the left is the 1911 Breese Special, which won this race by the way.
I have no idea what has replaced race track, but I have two assumptions: 1. houses; or 2. golf course.
Too late to wish everybody a Merry Christmas, but in time to wish you all a happy and healthy New Year 😊
From Mystery Foto #52 Solved: Old 16 at the 1946 VMCCA Jubilee Anniversary at the Mineola Fair Grounds
This brings back memories to me. Dad had a 1937 Chrysler with that overdrive. We didn’t know it had overdrive until one day we tried to push start it. pushing it wouldn’t turn the engine. A friend told us to pull out that choke like knob to push start it. When it was in overdrive the car was (free wheeling). It would coast downkill.
From The 1937 Chrysler Automatic Overdrive
Love the pic of Old 16 climbing the bridge!
From The Motor Parkway Toll Collection Structures: #11 Massapequa Lodge in Plainedge
Solved! My updated answers;
Identify the competition, the race track and the date of the photo.
Veteran Motor Car Club of America 50th Anniversary Jubliee Anniversary at the Mineola Fair Grounds-June 8th 1946
Identify the race car on the right, its driver and mechanician.
Joe Tracy & Jerry Helck
What is on the site of the race track today?
Nassau County Courthouse
From Mystery Foto #52 Solved: Old 16 at the 1946 VMCCA Jubilee Anniversary at the Mineola Fair Grounds
The holiday took all my time up this weekend, so all I’ve got is that it looks to be Old 16 on the right, most likely with Joe Tracy at the wheel. Since the parked cars look to be from the late 40’s, this is probably well after 1941/2 when Peter Helck took ownership and more frequently exhibited the car with Tracy and Robertson driving.
From Mystery Foto #52 Solved: Old 16 at the 1946 VMCCA Jubilee Anniversary at the Mineola Fair Grounds
From Hector:
Happy Holidays! Thank you for keeping us updated. Let
Me know of future events. I will try to make as many as I can.
Thanks!!!
From Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, and a Wonderful 2017!
From John:
All the best to you Howard and you devotion to racing and Long Island history.
John
From Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, and a Wonderful 2017!
The race is from 1946 of the VMCAA 50th anniversary celebration at the Mineola Fairgrounds dirt track. The driver was 75 year old Joe Tracey, the mechanician was…..Jerry Helck(?) in the #16 Locomobile, and the car on the left *may be* the Breese Racer.
Not being terribly familiar with the landscape I am guessing this was the oval which backed up to the S/F line of the Vanderbilt Cup Race (though I could be wrong and notice there is another oval from aerials nearby).
What is on there today? First guess would be a Walmart, but I’d hope at least it’s an open field or park at least…..so that is a hope, not a guess.
A short film of the race. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udTbxEVDS2w
From Mystery Foto #52 Solved: Old 16 at the 1946 VMCCA Jubilee Anniversary at the Mineola Fair Grounds
Great artwork!
Thanks for sharing. We need to see more of these classic posters from yesteryear.
Success in 2017,
=rds
From Helck Family Collection: The Story Behind Peter Helck's Artwork for this Vanderbilt Cup Race Poster
In 1965, I drove cross-country with a college friend in his brand new 1964 GTO… departed Long Island Noon Fri, and were in Gallup, NM 6am Sunday via Route 66. Took a side trip to Grand Canyon & Vegas before crossing the desert to LA. We were cruisin’ to say the least!
From Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, and a Wonderful 2017!
Nice presentation of the Ronkonkoma Lodge history.
From The Motor Parkway Toll Collection Structures:#19 and #20 The Ronkonkoma Toll Gate & Ronkonkoma Lodge
Hi all
HAPPY HOLIDAYS,MERRY CHRITMAS,HAPPY NEW YEAR and good health and happiness
From Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, and a Wonderful 2017!
Thanks for the entertainment and a happy Chanukah to you.
From Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, and a Wonderful 2017!
Mystery Foto #52…......The competition was the Automotive Golden Jubilee at Mineola Fairgrounds on June 8, 1946.
The race car on the right is the Old 16 Locomobile driven by Joe Tracy with Jerry Helck as his mechanician.
Today, on the site of the Mineola Fairgrounds, we find The Nassau County Court complex.
From Mystery Foto #52 Solved: Old 16 at the 1946 VMCCA Jubilee Anniversary at the Mineola Fair Grounds
In June 1946 the American Car Club 50th anniversary event was held at the old
Mineola fairgrounds. Old Number 16 is pictured and the driver was Joe Tracy with
young Jerry Helck the mechanician. The fairgrounds are now just a memory, replaced
by the current Nassau County Supreme Court. I had seen midget autos race on this dirt
track around 1948. My “seat” was a tree limb on the far turn outside the fence.
From Mystery Foto #52 Solved: Old 16 at the 1946 VMCCA Jubilee Anniversary at the Mineola Fair Grounds
Thanks, Dave. We know their all being filmed,etc. But I/We can relate to everyone on that show. Wish they invite us all their!
Hunting Hitler is another favorite of mine. The psycho is dead by now, but I really get into their discoveries, etc.
From The Second 2016 Kleiner Tour of the Long Island Motor Parkway
Good one Brian!
Man I really want to love that show, oak island. It’s right up all of our alleys you know? It has so much potential. But I’m always disappointed at the end of each episode! They’ve pulled every string in the world….when are they gonna find something???? I keep thinking the network couldn’t be on board unless they knew this was leading to something good….but it never happens. Enough with the analytics!
From The Second 2016 Kleiner Tour of the Long Island Motor Parkway
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