Vanderbilt Cup Races

A second go around with this one from 3 years ago!
http://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/blog/article/mystery_friday_photo_14_can_you_identify_this_thrilling_moment_during_a_van

My answers from then should suffice;

-The location
Jericho Turnpike and Willis Avenue in Mineola

-The race
1906 Elimination Trial or Cup Race (they drove through and cleared the track for both)

-The car
Vanderbilt’s 1903 Mercedes that broke the one-mile land speed record

-The two people in the car
Willie K and Dr. Louis Lanehart

This mystery photo was presented before. It still looks like President Teddy Roosevelt (VCR Chief Surgeon, Dr. Louis Lanehart) being driven by Willie K, as he’s burning rubber at Krugs Corner (Jericho Tpke and Willis Ave). They’re in Willie K’s personal 1903 Mercedes and heading east on Jericho Tpke, checking crowd conditions around the 1906 VCR circuit. Could that be 13 year old Peter Helck?!?! That would be some find Howard! Memorable, because the boy is memorizing all the race images to depict on his famous paintings for decades to come. I could smell the aroma from Rodizio Restaurant hovering over this intersection, good Portuguese restaurant for ‘all you can eat’ meat lovers (100 years later). Alright, I’m anxious AGAIN waiting for this week’s answers.

The photo was the 1906 race when an alarm was sounded by a driver of the crowd crowding the course and masses going to be killed, Willie K and surgeon Louis Lanehart took to the course for a visual inspection and course clearance.  Willie K had entered the 1906 race then abruptly withdrew bowing to pressure from American car manufacturers…..according to my reading it simply had a bit to do with him driving a foreign car, which would work against his reasoning for the race.  So he was no doubt ready for a drive regardless.  That car was a Mercedes, and that was probably Willie K’s only lap on the racing track of a Vanderbilt Cup race.

Hey!  This was #15 of 13 May 2013!  No fair repeating!  I’ll have to send you a good one.  Sam, III

I think the photo was taken on October 6, 1906 during the third Vanderbilt Cup Race with Willie K. driving his 1903 Mercedes along with Dr. Louis Lanehart as the passenger. However, I don’t think it was during the first lap as previously thought by many but rather during the 6th. lap when Elliot F. Shepard, in his Hotchkiss racer, ran into spectator Curt Grunner slightly east of the photo. Since Lanehart was Chief Surgeon for the race, I think Willie K. may have been bringing him to the scene of the accident in an attempt to help Grunner.

Identify the race and the date of the photo. Note: Previous descriptions of this photo are incorrect!
Um.  Let’s make the race the 1906 Elimination Trial and the date Sept. 22, 1906.

What was surprising and memorable about this moment captured in the photo?
Not really sure except maybe the huge crowd coming out for this pre Cup race.  And the fact that they aren’t on the roadway itself.

Who are the two people in the race car?
Willie K. and race surgeon, Dr. Louis Lanehart.

Identify the race car.  Willie K.‘s “90” 1903 Mercedes.

Wow,what pictures of those cars sliding around that corner. I couldn’t answer this mystery,was having trouble with computer,which affected my iPad. But I would have had some kind of an answer,it’s a well known racing area

Good catch on the fence. The boy standing on the curve during the elimination race was in the line of fire

Ted: Is it VA or FL? I like how you’re checking out all the areas in between. Hope you land where you’d want to stay. i’m thinking the same but don’t know how south to go. Relocating is not easy.

In answer to Frank Femenias. It’s another move to Florida,much better than where I am now,a lot more activities. It’s The Villages,you should check it out,it’s the place to be,a well liked place to live. We were there for four days just looking to rent,came across a good deal and grabbed it and to top it off it’s a house for about the same price we’re paying now for an apartment,it was now or never,also with the option to renew up to 5yrs. This wasn’t through the real estate,it’s a private owner wanting to move to a bigger house and rent this one and we happened to be there at the right time. What luck was that,never expected it. Move in date is June2. Second move in one year,that’s it for me,I’m staying put now.

Ted, sounds like an irresistible deal. A location near the shore may be important for you. If this place is, GO FOR IT! Lots of moving but I think it’s worth it in the end. GOOD LUCK.

Thanks Frank.As I said,we went for it,gave downpaymemt,move in is June2nd. This move will be well worth in the end as you said and I do need lots of luck