New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-10-23
HISTORY OF CUP RACE
HIGH SPEED THE RULE.
French Cars Won Trophy in Three
Pre1qOus Contests.

The Vanderbilt Cup race tomorrow is the fourth
contest for years possession Of the famous cup.
first offered by William X. Vanderbilt. jr.. in 1s04
rs an international speed trophy. to be raced for
by teams of five automobiles. representing the
great automobiling nations No race was held last
year The killing OF a in 1895. due directly TO
the failure Of the crowd to keep of the course led
the Vanderbilt Cup Commission to decide, imme-
dlately after that race. to hold no more contests
until could be obtained that could be 50
poced as to keep spectators out of the danger
they Will not themselves avoid.
In the fight for the control Of international racing
in this country between the American Automobile
Association and the Automobile Club OF America
this year the Vanderbilt Cup has lost its in
ternationaI character and has become a purely
American race. II has lost of IT'S interest.
however and it is probable that every speed record
for road racing in this country will be shattered
tomorrow.
The first race for the cup in 1904 was won by an
American driver. George Heath who was the
wheel Of French Panhard car. France was also
victorious in the races Of 1905 and 1905. Hemery
winning in a Darracq in 1915 and Wagner. in
car of the same make. in 1906.
The in 1904 attracted huge crowds to the
Nassau County roads over which It held. and
was thrilling enough TO justify all the interest It
aroused. George Heath. the winner. drove his o.
horsepower Panhard car around the circuit at an
average speed of so miles hour. a speed which
compared favorably at that time with the great
pleted the course. a Clement Bayard driven by
young Albert Clement. who was killed about a year
ago IN France. Herbert Lyle who drives 1sotta
in this years and who broke all American
road records two weeks ago IN the Motor Parkway
Sweepstakes was third, in a 24-horsepower Pope
Toledo
In 1905. over practically the same circuit IN
1904. Hemery won the race IN a Darracq car. Heath
being second this time. The average speed in this
race was much greater and established. in fact the
average speed record that stood until Lytles fine
performance this year the course, made in
stock car Hemery set figures OF s1.51 miles
hour Third place in 1905 went America. Joe
Tracy. in a 9O-hOrsePower LocomobIIe, being the
man TO win a place for the United States. Lanca,
the great italian driver fourth. in Fiat after
meeting with an accident when well in the lead
The 1906 race won by Wagner. in a 10O-horse-
power Darracq car after a thrilling struggle with
the first fatal accident Of the Vanderbilt Cup races
Elliott Shepard. driving amateur. at the
wheel of a great HotChIiss racer, when a man ran
out from the crowd at Krug's Corner and in
stantly killed. The conduct of the crowds all along
the course in 1906 was reckless in the extreme. No
attention paid TO the deputy sheriffs who sought
to keep the enthusiasts back, and ii amazing
that more deaths were not recorded.
The record for the Motor Parkway course which
also stands road racing record in this country
is 642s miles an hour made by Herbert Lyte when
Isotta two weeks ago.