Kleiner’s Korner: Part 4 - Vanderbilt Cup Race Illustrations of “The NY World” - “DANGER”
The "New York World" portrayed the dangers of the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race course through illustrations based on actual mishaps that occurred during practice runs and the American Elimination Trial on Sept. 22. All from Sept./Oct. issues of the "New York Evening World" and "The Motor Way" unless otherwise noted.
Art Kleiner
Notice that Whitney has been added to the race's name in this headline!
Perhaps because of the challenge between the two automobilists. (The American Oct. 4, 1906)
The Dangers of Racing
Who might the "foreign devils" be in car #14? Remember, this cartoon was prior to the actual Vanderbilt Cup Race.
The Evening Telegram Oct. 6, 1906
Crashing into telegraph poles was a constant hazard.
As were collisions.
Might the collision be between Joe Tracy and Frank Lawell?
"Tire flying off."
The dangerous turn (and for spectators) at Krug's Corner.
A broken chain causes problems!
Tacks and glass thrown on the course!
Based on this report.
The need for football helmets!
The "Hairpin Turn" at Old Westbury.
Nazzaro navigating the turn.
The "Dip of Death"
Of particular danger was this part of the course. Where might this be?
"The danger is when racing machines swing around the turn and climb the hill."
After "coming down the hill at lightning speed to carry them up the hill".
One of the 3 Frayer- Miller racers didn't seem to make it! A previous post documented other aspects of the "Dip of Death".
How the "Evening World " viewed the Long Island countryside as a result of the race.
Comments
I’m guessing that the “dip of death” was at or near Whitney Pond (and the stream that flows out of it towards Manhasset Bay) and the intersection of Northern Boulevard and what’s now Community Drive, and that the hill is Spinney Hill.
There was a terrible accident a number of decades ago on Spinney Hill, when a car full of prom-attending high school seniors was headed eastbound down Spinney Hill too fast, and couldn’t manage the curve. I’m told that the tragedy led to the parents at Manhasset High School holding the prom (called “The Frolic”) for graduating classes at the high school itself.
Wow! When I finished college my first real job was with an insurance company as a claims representative on Frolic Farm Blvd.