Vanderbilt Cup Races

Tuesday's Newsday included an excellent Explore LI cover story on the Vanderbilt Race Centennial Events this weekend. The article by Jim Merritt provided a brief summary of the Vanderbilt Cup Races and the plans to celebrate them at the Cradle of Aviation Museum beginning this weekend:

Long before NASCAR, they came out in droves for the Vanderbilt Cup Races. The races were held fom 1904 to 1910 not inside a raceway but on Nassau County public roads. They drew massive crowds and attention to the then-relatively new automobile. And they also disappointed hometown fans because the trophy, a 10-gallon, 30 pound Tiffany and Co. siver cup, was carted off by European racers for the first three years.

Eventually, the Americans prevailed. The centennial of their third and final victory is expected to draw about 100 vintage and new racing vehicles, and hundreds of racing fans, to a celebration both commemorative and educational....

The vehicle that won the race in 1909 and 1910 will be among cars on display in the Museum Row lot and the museum atrium. The 1909 Alco-6 "Black Beast" is owned by Howard Kroplick. A number of other vintage cars, including a 1909 REO Gentleman's Roadster on loan from the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum also are expected.

Newsday's ExploreLI.com has also posted this video by videojournalist Robert Cassidy on the Vanderbilt Cup Centennial event this weekend including a ride on the Black Beast.

Here is a summary of the upcoming Vanderbilt Race Centennial Events at the Cradle of Aviation:

Exhibit: October 23 to October 31, 2010

The exhibit "The Incredible Vanderbilt Cup Races Held on the Long Island Motor Parkway (1908-1910)" will be presented from Saturday, October 23, 2010 through Sunday, October 31, 2010 in the museum's atrium.

On display will be the 1909 Alco-6 Black Beast Racer and a rare 1909 Reo Gentleman's Roadster on loan from the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum. A similar modified Reo Roadster participated in the first sweepstake races ever held on the Motor Parkway in October 1908. The exhibit was created by Howard Kroplick.

In conjunction with the exhibit, special activities (free to spectators) will be held outside the museum from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM on the initial weekend of the celebration:

Saturday, October 23, 2010:

Vanderbilt Race Centennial Demonstration Runs, classic, vintage and competition sports cars of all makes and ages in action including the 1909 Alco Black Beast Racer. Registration Form and Directions

Car Show for Street Rods, Modifieds, Customs, and Motorcycles, hosted by the Long Island Sound Region of the Classic Car Club of America. 2010 Cradle of Aviation Car Show Registration Form

Sunday, October 24, 2010:

Vanderbilt Race Centennial Demonstration Runs, classic, vintage and competition sports cars of all makes and ages in action including the 1909 Alco Black Beast Racer. Registration Form and Directions

Car Show for Vintage cars, Classic cars and Pre-War Trucks, Fire Trucks and Police Cars, hosted by the Long Island Sound Region of the Classic Car Club of America. 2010 Cradle of Aviation Car Show Registration Form

Pioneering race car driver Janet Guthrie will be at the event on Saturday and Sunday. For more information on these activities, contact Guy Frost 1-516-621-2745, [email protected] (Demonstration Runs) and Jim Barnes 1-917-681-4274, [email protected] (CCCA car shows).