The States has less of a tradition of the town-to-town races that were a major part of the early European races and gave us such glorious examples as the Mille Miglia, Targa Florio, and the countless other events that laid the foundations for the Grand Prix events to follow. One shining example of this breed of motorsport, however, did stake it’s claim to the format statesite: The Vanderbilt Cup.
The race was run in its original form between 1904 and 1911 through a series of towns in Nassau County, Long Island; largely on roads that still exist today—although I think that the Massapequa Road leg has since been removed (can any Long Island locals confirm that?). Thankfully, this map will make recreating the paths of a hundred years ago quite easy. What I love about the public road courses is that each morning, hundreds of commuters toil along not knowing the magnificent men and machines that blazed the same trail in very different circumstances. This map may look very workmanlike and unembellished compared to others we’ve looked at in the Track Maps of the Past series, but I adore it just the same.
0 replies on “Track Maps of the Past: The Vanderbilt Cup”
“Massapequa Road leg has since been removed”
from north to south is is now called “106/107” or broadway, then turns into Jerusalem Ave, then into Gardners ave, then it turns into portions of Wantagh Ave and Wantagh State Parkway. What I cant figure out is what the “Bethpage Turnpike” is. Judging by its path and proximity to the train line it is now Merrick Road. If you drove these roads you could tell they were reletively old. They arent straight and wide like modern less natural roads.
Its no surprise to me I grew up pretty much on an old race route, haha. If anyone wants to see pics of these roads, etc, let me know.