Vanderbilt Cup Races

Related Posts

• Mar 23 2024

  The Irish Volunteers at the Vanderbilt Cup Races

  Author and Mitchel Field historian Paul R. Martin III's wonderful excerpt from his book 'Beneath the Shadows of Wings' about the Irish Volunteers and the Vanderbilt Cup Races

• Dec 04 2023

  Mystery Foto #48 Solved: #42 Isotta driven by Herb Lytle at Deadman’s Curve #2 in Central Park (Bethpage)

  Did you identify this racer on a curve?

• Oct 13 2023

  InstaGRAM Report: Peter Helck Vanderbilt Cup Races Paintings Part 2

  An up-close look into Peter Helck's Vanderbilt Cup artwork

• Jul 26 2023

  From the Helck Family Collection: Unpublished Photos from the 1908 Sweepstakes Races

  Never before seen photos from the 1908 Sweepstakes Races

• May 08 2023

  Mystery Friday Foto #18 Solved: Herb Lytle winning the 1908 Motor Parkway Sweepstakes

  Did you identify this weekend's mystery racer?

• Jan 07 2023

  Greg O’s Garage: Anatomy of the 1906 Hairpin Turn

  A closer look at the 1906 course's Old Westbury Hairpin Turn and the roads to and from it.

• Aug 24 2022

  The Queens section of the 1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race

  Chal Danish: "I am researching Vanderbilt Cup Race history and am seeking the course routes of all the races and especially where it traversed Queens. Exactly where in Queens did it go before returning to Nassau!"!!!

• Dec 11 2021

  Illustration Magazine: The work of Peter Helck. (112 pages)

  Tim Helck has forwarded the news that the current issue of Illustration is devoted solely to the work of his grandfather Peter Helck.

• Nov 27 2021

  VanderbiltCupRaces.com Exclusive: 12 Previously unpublished photos of the 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race

  I recently purchased an unknown family's scrapbook of 250 photos taken from 1905 to 1914. Highlight are these previously never published 12 photos of the 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race.

• Aug 11 2021

  Greg O’s Garage; From the Helck Family Collection: The official 1904 Vanderbilt Cup race program

  The complete 1904 race program

• Jun 22 2021

  Kleiner’s Korner: 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race Illustrations

  As he had done in 1906, Robert Edgren again portrayed the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race through his illustrations in the "New York Evening World". As sports editor, he was able to convey his view of the race (many times not very positive) through pictures and his own words.

• Jun 08 2021

  New Hyde Park Herald Courier: Vanderbilt Cup Races in New Hyde Park

  I wrote this brief article for this week's Guide to New Hyde Park published by the New Hyde Park Herald Courier.

• Mar 09 2021

  Kleiner’s Korner: Three Illustrators of the Vanderbilt Cup Race Era

  In this post three illustrators portray their view of various aspects of the Vanderbilt Cup Race through their individual characterizations.

• Aug 29 2020

  Photos from the 1908 Motor Parkway Sweepstakes

  The Detroit Public Library has scanned additional images for their National Automotive History Collection. Below are photos from the 1908 Motor Parkway Sweepstakes held on October 10, 1908- the opening day of the Motor Parkway.

• Jun 27 2020

  Hemmings Classic Car: Racing in Riverhead-The Long Island Stock Chassis Competition of 1909

  My good friend and automotive historian Walt Gosden explored the 1909 Long Island Stock Chassis Derby in the August 2020 issue of Hemmings Classic Car. Walt also discovered what happened to Willie K's 90 HP Mercedes.

• Jan 06 2020

  Mystery Foto #1 Solved: An Accident at the 1911 Indy 500 Race

  The Helck Family Collection challenged you to identify the first Mystery Foto of the 2020s.

• Dec 10 2019

  Alexander Buchan’s Kinetic Sculpture: The Checkered Flag

  The bronze sculpture "The Checkered Flag" is one of the most impressive representations of the 1908 Vanderbilt up Race. This artwork was created by Alexander Buchan, who was featured in the November/December 2019 issue of AutoMobilia.

• Oct 05 2019

  VanderbiltCupRaces.com Exclusive: The Engines of the 1906 American Elimination Trial Racers

  In another VanderbiltCupRaces.com exclusive, below are never-before-published photos of the engines for several racers that were entered in the 1906 American Elimination Trial. The photos were formerly from the Don C. Boulton Collection.

• Jul 01 2019

  Mystery Foto #26 Solved: The Dangerous Newbridge Avenue Bridge on 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race Course

  This weekend's Mystery Foto featured another important section of a Vanderbilt Cup Race course.

• Jun 08 2019

  The Family of Vanderbilt Cup Racer Herb Lytle Has a Reunion at the 2019 Indy 500

  Herb Lytle was one of the great race driver of the early 1900s, participating in more races associated with the Vanderbilt Cup Races (6) than any other driver and the first Indy 500 Race (1911). Assisted by connections on VanderbiltCupRaces.com, several generations of Lytles celebrated Herb with a family reunion…

• Nov 03 2018

  Herb Lytle’s Great-Great-Grandson Takes a Ride in the Alco Black Beast

  Last Sunday, Scott Lytle, the great-great-grandson of Vanderbilt Cup Racer Herb Lytle, and his lovely wife Marie visited me in Roslyn and took rides in the Alco Black Beast.

• Mar 21 2018

  From the Simeone Museum: Celebrating the Renault Roadsters

  Dr. Fred Simeone and Chris Webb of the Simeone Automotive Museum have forwarded images from the museum's 2018 calendar celebrating the Renault Vanderbilt Racers.

• Nov 04 2017

  Gregg D. Merksamer: “Remembering the 1908 Briarcliff Trophy Race”

  The most exciting and spectacular automobile race ever held in Westchester County is considered the 1908 Briarcliff Trophy Race. Run six months before the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race, the Briarcliff race attracted skilled drivers and over 100,000 spectators along the 32.4-mile course.

• Nov 22 2016

  The Incredible Vanderbilt Cup Races on Long Island: The Role of Hicksville Updated: 11/22/16

  Great turnout for tonight's special "Incredible Vanderbilt Cup Races" presentation highlighting the role of Hicksville in the races. The program was sponsored by the Hicksville Historical Society and held in the Hicksville Public Library within walking distance of the Vanderbilt Cup Race courses for the 1904, 1909 and 1910 races.

• Oct 01 2016

  John E. Roosevelt Family Photo Album: The 1909 Long Island Stock Car Derby

  The third post from the John E. Roosevelt Family Album features rare photos of the 1909 Long Island Stock Car Derby, also known as the Long Island Motor Derby and the Long Island Derby.

• Jul 27 2016

  Translation: October 1904 La Stampa Sportiva: The Vanderbilt Cup

  Professor Pau Medrano Bigas, Professor of Graphic Design at the University of Barcelona, has forwarded several articles on William K. Vanderbilt Jr. and the Vanderbilt Cup Races from the Italian magazine La Stampa Sportiva published from 1902 to 1910.

• May 16 2016

  The Natural & Mystery Foto #20 Solved:#18 Mercedes and #6 Isotta During the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race

  Chuck Rudy, Jr., challenged you to identify this weekend's Mystery Foto.

• Apr 18 2016

  Mystery Foto #16 Solved: Two Winning Racers at the Plainview Road Curve in Bethpage

  This weekend's Mystery Foto documented an exciting battle between two winning racers.

• Feb 23 2015

  Mystery Foto #8 Solved: The Packard Gray Wolf Approaching the LIRR Crossing in Queens

  This weekend's Mystery Foto documented a rarely photographed location for the Vanderbilt Cup Races.

• Jan 14 2015

  Video: “The Ellison Avenue LIRR Bridge of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race Course”

  The Velocity Channel's 2013 AmeriCARna "Vanderbilt Cup" episode focused on the six Vanderbilt Cup Races held on Long Island and the Vanderbilt Cup trophy. This three-minute segment highlighted the Elllison Avenue LIRR Bridge on the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race course and the creation of the Long Island Motor Parkway.

• Sep 23 2014

  Article: “1904 Vanderbilt Cup: Dark Horse- What Hope for the Pope-Toledo?”

  Tony Kaye has forwarded this article concerning the 1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race and the #6 Pope-Toledo published in the November 1967 issue of Car Life.

• Feb 22 2014

  Exclusive Firsthand Account of the 1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race: “A Very Successful Trip”

  Walter Gosden has discovered an original October 11, 1904 letter from"Nephew Harvey Bell" to his "Uncle John" describing his adventures in a US Long Distance automobile to watch the 1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race.

• Feb 06 2014

  Mystery Foto #54 Solved: Officials of the 1908 Motor Parkway Sweepstakes

  This week's Mystery Friday Foto was looking for details on the historic photo of Herb Lytle winning the 1908 Motor Parkway Sweepstakes.

• Feb 05 2014

  Herb Lytle Winning the 1908 Motor Parkway Sweepstakes

  AJ Lytle has requested images of his great great grandfather Herb Lytle, who participated in more races associated with the Vanderbilt Cup Races (6) than any other driver.

• Dec 21 2013

  The Vanderbilt Cup Race Fantasy Team

  Wiliam K. Vanderbilt Jr loved competitive sports and was a member of his St. Mark's Preparatory School's football team (first row, far right).

• Dec 05 2013

  Chaos at the Finish of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race

  The primary goal of the newly built Long Island Motor Parkway for the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race was to keep crowds under control and off the course. Unfortunately, chaos once again prevailed at the end of a Vanderbilt Cup Race.

• Nov 23 2013

  Long Island Motor Parkway Bridge Series #40: Jerusalem Avenue Bridge in the Hempstead Plains

  The 40th bridge in the series documenting the 60 bridges built by the Long Island Motor Parkway is the Jerusalem Avenue Bridge in the Hempstead Plains (now Levittown).

• Oct 15 2013

  Relive the Long Island Motor Parkway Sweepstakes This Sunday Throughout Nassau County

  Ellyn Okvist, President of the Lake Ronkonkoma Heritage Association, has provided details on this Sunday's exciting tribute to the 1908 Motor Parkway Sweepstakes.

• Oct 07 2013

  Mystery Foto #36 Solved:  Joe Seymour Driving the #8 Thomas During the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race

  This week's Mystery Foto was a previously unpublished image from the Vanderbilt Cup Races.

• Sep 21 2013

  Long Island Motor Parkway Bridge Series #37:  Carman Avenue Highway Bridge in East Meadow

  The 37th bridge in the series documenting the 60 bridges built by the Long Island Motor Parkway is the Carman Avenue Bridge in my childhood hometown East Meadow. It is classified as a highway bridge since Carman Avenue was over the Motor Parkway.

• Aug 07 2013

  Long Island Motor Parkway Bridge Series #35: The “Meadowbrook” Bridge in East Meadow

  The 35th bridge in the series documenting the 60 bridges built by the Long Island Motor Parkway is the "Meadowbrook" parkway bridge over Newbridge Avenue (Bellmore Road) in East Meadow.

• Jul 22 2013

  Mystery Foto #25 Solved: Salisbury Park Drive in East Meadow/Salisbury in the 1940s and Much More

  My favorite co-author Al Velocci submitted this challenging Mystery Foto of the remnants of the Motor Parkway in East Meadow/Salisbury. (Courtesy of the Nassau County Museum Archives.)

• Jul 16 2013

  The Hempstead Control in the 1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race

  The 1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race consisted of ten laps of the 30-mile course with controls in Hicksville and Hempstead.

• Feb 25 2013

  Mystery Photo Solved #3: The 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race on Ellison Road (Avenue) in Westbury

  Last Friday's mystery photos of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race were courtesy of the Witmer Photograph Collection of the Cow Neck Peninsula Historical Society in Port Washington.

• Feb 13 2013

  Watching the 1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race in Floral Park

  Walt Gosden, Village Historian of Floral Park, has provided these photos from the village archives. The race photos were taken from the Creedmoor Branch Railroad Bridge over Jericho Turnpike.

• Jan 29 2013

  Then & Now: New Hyde Park Turn

  One of the six exciting turns in the 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race was the intersection of Lakeville Road and Jericho Turnpike.

• Aug 14 2012

  CSI Challenge: How Many People Attended the 1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race?

  The CSI (Cup Scene Investigation) Team of VanderbiltCupRaces.com has been asked to estimate the number of people who actually attended the six Vanderbilt Cup Races held on Long Island. First up, the 1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race held on a 30.24-mile triangular course in Nassau County and Queens.

• Aug 06 2012

  Race Profile: The 1905 American Elimination Trial

  According to the Vanderbilt Cup Race rules, America could enter a maximum of five automobiles in the 1905 race. On September 23, 1905, the American Elimination Trial was held to determine the five entries from 12 American candidates.

• Jul 21 2012

  Image Analysis: Motor Parkway’s Opening Day Sweepstakes

  Steve M: "I have obtained two 19 1/2" x 16 3/4" race photos of Herb Lytle. What can you tell me about these photos..the who, what and when? I look forward to your response."

• Jul 06 2012

  Race Profile: The 1906 American Elimination Trial

  As in 1905, an American Elimination Trial determined the five racers to represent the United States in the Vanderbilt Cup Race. Of 16 entries, 12 cars survived the practice runs to race on Saturday, September 22, 1906.

• Jun 23 2012

  First Races on the Long Island Motor Parkway: The 1908 Motor Parkway Sweepstakes

  When the Long Island Motor Parkway was completed in October 1908, the first race using the completed 9 miles of the road was not the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race, but a series of five concurrent races called the Motor Parkway Sweepstakes. The story of these races and photo highlights are…

• May 01 2012

  Newsday Update: “Jericho’s Maine Maid Inn gets landmark status”

  Reporter Bill Bleyer reported in Newsday today that the Oyster Bay Town Board has designated the Maine Maid Inn as a landmark.

• Apr 04 2012

  Then & Now: The 1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race Course Through Hicksville

  Richard Althaus, President, Hicksville Gregory Museum: "I am interested to know if you have any info especially photos in regards to Hicksville in your collection. Mainly the 1904 race, where they had to traverse the railroad in Hicksville, not far from the station. Any info you have would be appreciated."

• Dec 12 2011

  Starting Lineup: The 1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race

  Eighteen racers participated in the first Vanderbilt Cup Race held on October 8, 1904. Photos of 17 of the 18 entrants at the Westbury starting line on Jericho Turnpike are shown here for the first time. The #10 Fiat arrived late at the starting line and began with a running…

• Sep 07 2011

  Race Profile: The 1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race- The First International Road Race in the USA

  The inaugural William K. Vanderbilt Jr. Cup Race in 1904 was the first major international road race in the United States. Although William K. Vanderbilt Jr. was only 26, he was heir to a transportation fortune and had figured prominently in auto racing for nearly 10 years since sponsoring…

• Mar 05 2011

  Pioneer Harriet Quimby’s Exciting Ride in a Racing Motor-Car in October 1906

  Harriet Quimby (1875-1912) was noted for her daring courageous spirit , intelligence and beauty. She initially achieved fame as one of the first woman to work as a newspaper reporter and ,then, as a journalist and theater critic for a national magazine Leslie's Illustrated Weekly from 1902 to 1912.

• Jan 08 2011

  Drivers Who Raced in the 1911 Indy 500 and the Vanderbilt Cup Races (1904-1910)

  The decision of the Indianapolis Speedway to hold one major 500-mile race in 1911 with an unheard purse of $25,100 (equal to $571,000 today) attracted the best racing teams and drivers. Not surprisingly, many of the drivers who participated in the Vanderbilt Cup Races and its associated races also drove…

• Aug 01 2010

  Archives: 1910 Vanderbilt Cup Race

  Links to related posts on VanderbiltCupRaces.com (Updated: December 31, 2011):

• Aug 01 2010

  Archives: 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race

  Links to related posts on VanderbiltCupRaces.com (Updated: December 31, 2011):

• Aug 01 2010

  Archives: 1908 Motor Parkway Sweepstakes

• Aug 01 2010

  Archives: 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race

  Links to posts related to VanderbiltCupRaces.com (Updated: Febraury 1, 2012):

• Aug 01 2010

  Archives: 1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race

  Links to posts related to the 1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race (Updated: December 31, 2011):

• Jul 06 2010

  Starting Lineup: The 1910 Vanderbilt Cup Race

  A large field of 30 cars raced in the 1910 Vanderbilt Cup Race held on October 1, 1910. The race was run on the same course as in 1909- a total of 12.64 miles including 5.15 miles of the Long Island Motor Parkway. The winner needed…

• Jun 23 2010

  Then & Now: The Railroad Bridge on Ellison Road in Westbury

  One of the most spectacular vantage points of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race course was the Long Island Rail Road Bridge on Ellison Road in Westbury. Drivers mounting the sharp grade of the bridge would often find the wheels of their cars lifting off the road as if they…

• Apr 03 2010

  A Request from the Son of the Winner of the First Motor Parkway Race: Herb Lytle

  Dick, it would be my pleasure and honor! Herb Lytle participated in more races associated with the Vanderbilt Cup Races than any other driver. As a result, I have over 50 quality images of Herb Lytle. Here are some of my favorites:

• Feb 06 2010

  Starting Lineup: The 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race

  These are the 17 cars that raced in the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race held on October 24, 1908. The race was run over a 23.46 mile course including 8 miles of the Long Island Motor Parkway. The winner needed to complete 11 laps of the course…

• Dec 19 2009

  Starting Lineup: The 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race

  These 19 cars competed in the second Vanderbilt Cup Race held on October 14, 1905 won by the #18 Darracq driven by Victor Hemery. Remember to click on the photos to enlarge the image:

• Dec 15 2009

  Starting Lineup: The 1905 American Elimination Trial

  Twelve cars were scheduled to compete in the 1905 American Elimination Trial. The race was held on September 23, 1905 to help determine the five American entrants for the Vanderbilt Cup Race:

• Nov 20 2009

  Starting Lineup: The 1906 American Elimination Trial

  As in 1905, an American Elimination Trial determined the five racers to represent the United States in the Vanderbilt Cup Race. Of 16 entries, 12 cars survived the practice runs to race on Saturday, September 22, 1906. Here are images and profiles of all 16 cars. (Remember to click…

• Sep 18 2009

  Five More Vanderbilt Cup Race Photos from the Pickering Collection

  As discussed this week, on Wednesday I met with Catherine Pickering, the granddaughter of William Pickering, one of Long Island's first photographers. Our examination of her grandfather's photo collection revealed several Vanderbilt Cup Race photos, many never published before. In an exclusive to VanderbiltCupRaces.com, five more race photos…

• May 15 2009

  Film “The Inaugural Indy 500 Race”

  In celebration of the Indianapolis 500 Race on Memorial Day, this film shows the first Indy 500 Race held on May 30, 1911. Highlights include:

• Mar 14 2008

  Video: “1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race Centennial Celebration” October 2, 2004

  At the 2004 Centennial Celebration of the first Vanderbilt Cup Race, the #6 Pope-Toledo that finished third in the race, participated in time-trials. The centennial event was held on October 2, 2004 in East Garden City on Long Island. Hop aboard and hear and see how it feels to ride…