Vanderbilt Cup Races

Tough photo!! Mineola Fair Grounds (1866-1950) main racetrack looking north, about 3PM in the afternoon. Photo likely taken from the roof top of the grandstand, once located to the west of the racetrack. The photographer is higher than the grandstand seating (was it possible to get up there with camera and tripod?) - Grandstand photo below, courtesy of the Helck Family Collection. Guessing the photo was taken in 1940s-1950 - the parade of cars appear 1910s-1930s, but the truck pulling is 1940s-1950. Could this be the closing ceremony for the Mineola Fair Grounds in 1950? I believe I’ve seen that white mystery car before but not sure. Was it a steamer? HELP!

-The location of the Mystery Foto and orientation and position of the photographer

Mineola Fair at Roosevelt Raceway

-The event and date of the Mystery Foto

50th anniversary of the 1904 Cup Race Saturday October 9th, 1954

-The make and model of the lead white automobile

The oldest car in the parade- 1897 Delahyde Brake

-Link the Mystery Foto to the Vanderbilt Cup Races

The entire event was linked to the 1904 race, with many drivers, Old 16 and even the actual Vanderbilt Cup itself were all present for the event. The parade also covered some of the original course.

Mineola Fair Grounds looking northeast
50th Anniversary Jubilee antique automobile pageant 1946?????

The date is around 1951 as it says on the sign in the center and there doesn’t appear to be any buildings.  Since they were demolished in 1951, it would have to be 1951 at the earliest, not 1946 as I previously stated.  My guess would be the Long Island Fair in 1951

Event is the 50th anniversary of the first Vanderbilt Cup Race, on Oct. 9, 1954. The lead white car is an 1897 Delahaye Brake, the oldest car at the event. (It is shown elsewhere on this website as a “Delahyde,” but I’m sure Delahaye is the right name.)

Location is Roosevelt Raceway harness track. I believe that the photographer is facing north because of the hills in the background and the way the shadows are pointing. I forgot the orientation of the harness track.

The Mineola Fair at Roosevelt Raceway The Fair was held at the Raceway from 1950 -1970 Its an antique car parade and the photographer is on the roof of the clubhouse Sorry I don’t know the lead car but its an early high wheeler maybe an electric vehicle

Mystery Foto #48… This photo taken at the 1954 Mineola Fair and Industrial Exposition in 1954 in Westbury with a parade during Mineola Fair. The event was to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first Vanderbilt Cup Race. The date was October 9, 1954. The lead white automobile was a 1897 or 1899 Delahaye Wagonette. See attached photo.

Clearly the old Mineola Fair grounds in Garden City (today’s court complex), probably
the 08 Jun 1946 VMCCA Jubilee Anniversary run.  If so, Joe Tracy in Old 16 Locomobile.  An I recall me aright, looking NNE, from roof of grandstand{?}.  White car could be Cannon’s 1-cyl. Caddy.  Sam, III

This photo was taken from the grandstand at Roosevelt Raceway (harness track) looking northwest toward Carle Place. It was taken on October 9, 1954 during the celebration parade of vintage cars honoring the 50th. anniversary of the first Vanderbilt Cup Race in 1904. The lead car is an 1897 Delahyde Brake, the oldest car in the parade. This site was the location for the 1936 and 1937 Vanderbilt Cup Races. I believe the grandstand was originally built for those two races.

Roosevelt Field looking East.  Photographer is in the grandstand.

Parade during the LI Industrial Exposition on Oct. 9, 1954 commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 1st VCR. 

1897 Delahyde Brake. 

Three VCRs conducted there in late 30’s and 60’s.

Mineola Fairgrounds in Garden City, looking north ( Williston Park water tower in distance?)
Date is either June 1946 VMCCA Jubilee, or some time in 1951, based on sign in infield
Lead white auto looks like a Model T Ford

This photo was taken at the 1954 Mineola Fair and Industrial Exposition held at Roosevelt Raceway, October 9-17, 1954 (see attached ticket from my collection).  This was the 2nd Fair to be held at Raceway after the Fair left Mineola.  The photographer was standing up in the clubhouse looking easterly.  This specific event is in commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the 1st Vanderbilt Cup Race, held in 1904.  Held on opening day of the Fair, October 9, 1954, it included this parade of about 75 antique autos.  The white car in front is the 1896 Delahaye owned by Robert W. Dowling.  I believe the truck behind the Delahaye might be towing the unrestored 1907 Thomas Flyer, winner of the 1908 N.Y.-to-Paris race, and then owned by Henry Austin Clark, Jr.

Howard, Roosevelt Raceway, Oct. 9, 1954. The Long Island Automobile Club participating in the grand opening of the Mineola Fair that day. The view is to the northeast. The Club later participated in a 30 mile “race”  starting at Hitchcock Lane and Jericho Tpke. in Westbury closely following much of the Vanderbilt Race course. Not familiar with the lead auto.

Mystery Foto #48 addendum… I did identify the Delahaye too, Howard. See my reply.  Sorry, just crying out for my pat on the back.

______________________________________________

Howard Kroplick
Dick, correction made! Kudos and a pat!

Stumped again! 
Below:
Top - Roosevelt Harness racing through the years.
Bottom - Carle Place water tower at 578 Mineola Ave.

The 1948 Practice track can be seen in the mystery photo on the top right corner, and the parking field in the top left corner