The Washington herald., 1912-09-15

The eighth running OF the Vanderbilt
Cup race, the famous international au-
tomobile classic, will occur on Saturday.
September p, in Milwaukee. Whatever
may be said of the other big contests
held in this country, the fact remains
that the Vanderbilt Cup race was the
first contest which. through the various
seasons, has done more for the autcmo-
bile industry than any other speed event.
II has meant much to the automobile in
dustry and to the development of motor
cars to their present efficient state
The handsome silver trophy was do
mated in January. 1904, by William X.
Vanderbilt. jr. His object in donating
this cup was a sporting one, combined
with desire to assist in the develop
ment of an industry then in its infancy.
Mr.. Vanderbilt wanted to interest for
eign as well American manufacturers,
and one of the conditions of the deed of
gift was that the cup was to be raced
Tor at least two years in succession in
the United States, without regard to the
country which should have produced the
winner the previous year, foreign cars,
of course, to be eligible in all of the
races. 1t specified that the race must be
between 80 and 800 miles. and no por-
ton to be run on a circular track. Since
that time the deed of gift has been
changed TO meet more modern condi-
tions- Originally 1t was competed for by
teams Of cars, but later the rules were
altered so as to permit individuals only
to contest
First Contest in 1904.
The first contest took place on October
:. 1904 on a circuit in Nassau County
sixteen contestants starting. These were
composed of teams representing the
United States. France. Germany. and
Italy. 1t was won by George Heath.
driving a S0-horsepower Panhard car.
Heath was an American amateur, driv-
ing as member Of the French team,
and he covered 2S4 miles at an average
speed of fifty-two miles an hour. Teste,
n another Panhard. however, did sew
eral laps at a much faster rate. skirt
ing one at a speed of seventy-one miles
an hcuT-sensational indeed for those
DAYS. America showed third at the fin
ish. with Herbert Lytle in a Pope-To-
ledo. The initial contest was a success
in every way, and certainly acted as a
81 mulus for makers to improve the man
EfaCture OF cars on this side Of the At
lantic- The race was spectacular, and
the public went wild over II.
When the second Vanderbilt was run
the next autumn an elimination race was
necessary in order to select an American
team, Bert Dingley being the winner of
the trial When the final was reeled off
five cars each represented America,
France, and Italy. while Germany had
Dul lOuI - stCOHu WAS sCOTeu
for France by Hemery in a Darracq
when he drove in winner at an aver
age speed of sixty-one and a half miles
an hour, materially better than the time
of Heath of the year before. In this
contest Heath was second. and Tracy,
in the Locomobile, third.
France Scores Third Triumph.
France scored its third triumph in the
Vanderbilt race in 1906. On October 10.
Cpicked after an elimination trial. in
which Tracy was first. one of the best
of the cup races took place. The excit-
ing finish, with its battle between Lam
cia in the Fiat and Wagner in a Dar-
Tacq. will never be forgotten. These two
drivers, together with Duray and Jenat-
zy, had been going with but few sec
onds' difference in their elapsed time
for some laps In the tenth and last
Wagner took the lead. only to meet with
ire troubles a couple of minutes later.
There was frenzy of excitement. Down
the stretch came Lancia snorting across
the tape, the first to finish the distance.
Wagner. however, was going again. and
as he had started several minutes be-
hind Lancia- still had a chance to win
in elapsed time. Every one wondered
II he would cross the tape before it was
too late. He did-in a whirlwind finish. |
Wagner's speed was about siXty-three |
miles an hour for the 29I miles.
There was no cup race in 1907, the
fourth taking place on October a. 1908, |
with drivers competing as individuals and |
not as teams. The big memorable fea- /
ture of this contest is that for the first |
time the famous trophy was brought |
hack to America, and II was George Rob- |
ertson in the sohorsepower Locomobile. |
who turned the trick. Robertson's duel |
with I.ytle in the Isotta toward the |
finish was a thriller.
race and two small car races. the Wheat |
ly Hills and the Massapequa Sweep /
stakea took place simultaneously. Harry /
F Grant won the Vanderbilt trophy In |
a six-cylinder Alec in a field OF fifteen |
starters He covered 27S miles at an
average of 62.S miles an hour. Harroun.
driving a Marmon. won the Wheatly !,
Hills trophy and Matson In a Chalmers
the Massapequa event.
-Four Records broken In 1910.
In race that broke four records, |
Harry F. Grant in an Alec won the sixth |
running of the Vanderbilt. on October l.
1910 over a course 27s.0S miles in length |
II was the fastest, closest, largest in /
point of entries, and by far the hardest |
that has been run for the cup. Mar
mon. driven by Joe Dawson. was second |
ana Johnny Aitken, driving a National |
was third. There were thirty-one start
ers Ten finished the contest of twenty
two laps over a 12.64 miles circuit and ]
five were running when the race was
called off Grants time was 25.5s min
utes, and that of Dawson was 255.23 min
utes.
Last year the race was carried away
from Long Island for the first time,
savannah, Ca, landing the plum. 1t was
the fastest Vanderbilt ever run. and, in
deed, one of the fastest automobile races
IN history. Ralph K. Mulford In a Lozier
car was evolved the winner. his average
for the 1.ss miles being 74.0 miles per |.
hour. Ralph De Palma In the same
Mercedes car which he is to drive at
milwaukee,. and with which he recently
won at Eigia. scored second place In that
last Vanderbilt, and Spencer Wishart,