Dec 21 2015

Mystery Foto #51 Solved: The #10 Renault at the Start of the 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race


This weekend's Mystery Foto documented the start of a Vanderbilt Cup racer.

Mystery Foto questions:

  • Identify the Vanderbilt Cup Race

1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race

  • What is the date of the photo?

October 14, 1905 taken on Jericho Turnpike in Mineola.

  • Identify the racer, the driver and mechanician

#10 Renault drivng by Hungarian Ferenc Szisz with mechanician George (Sergey) Dimietrivitch.

  • Identity any other personalities in the photo

Referee William K. Vanderbilt Jr. can be seen above the right-front wheel. Starter Fred Wagner is wearing the cap standing next to Willie K.

Congrats to Steve Lucas, Greg O., Chuck Rudy, Art Kleiner (see Kleiner's Korner), and Ariejan Bos for correctly identifying the 1905 Renault team. Kudos to  Steve Lucas, Greg O., Chuck Rudy, Art Kleiner and Ariejan Bos for recognizing  referee Willie K. and/or  starter Fred Wagner.

Enjoy,

Howard Kroplick

A long view of the Mystery Foto.

Another photo of Renault's start.

Willie K. speaking to his wife Virginia at the 1905 grandstands.

Fred Wagner (far left) ready to start Nazzaro's Fiat at the 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race.

A close-up of Szisz and Dimitriewich preparting for the 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race.

Ferenc Szisz


Keiner's Korner (Submitted by Art Kleiner)

The New York Times, October 1, 1905

The New York Times, October 11, 1905


Comments

Dec 18 2015 Steve Lucas 9:25 PM

That looks like the number 10 Renault at the starting line for the 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race on October 14, 1905. The driver is Ferenc (Francois) Szisz and the mechanician is Sergey (George) Dimietrievitch. Also in the photo is Willie K. Jr. standing directly over the right front tire. To his left could be Fred Wagner or possibly Peter Prunty.

Dec 19 2015 Greg O. 6:12 PM

-Identify the Vanderbilt Cup Race
1905 VCR
-What is the date of the photo?
Saturday, October 14, 1905
-Identify the racer, the driver and mechanician
#10 Renault driven by Francois Szisz, Mechanician: George Dimietrievitch
-Identity any other personalities in the photo
Willie K.-center

Dec 20 2015 Chuck Rudy 7:13 PM

I believe that is a Renault in 1905 on October 14.  If so it would have been driven by Francois Szisz with Mechanician George Dimietrievitch along for the ride.  In the photo it appears Willie K is sporting his goggles on his hat near the RF tire.  As far as anyone else in the crowd, I will have to wait to see what others will have to add.  At first I though perhaps Teddy Roosevelt was hunched next to the driver at first glance but the more I looked the less I agreed with myself.

Dec 20 2015 Art Kleiner 9:03 PM

  Identify the Vanderbilt Cup Race: 1905
  What is the date of the photo?: October 14, 1905
  Identify the racer, the driver and mechanician:
Racer - Renault, #10
Driver - Francious Szisz
Mechanician: Sergey Dimitriewich
  Identity any other personalities in the photo: Vanderbilt and possibly other race officials (guesses - Asa Goddard, A.L. Riker, A.G. Batchelder)

Dec 21 2015 Ariejan Bos 3:58 PM

The photo shows the Renault with no.10 driven by François (Ferenç) Szisz at the start of the 1905 Vanderbilt Cup race, held on October 14th. His mechanic was Sergey Dimitievich. Other persons on the photo are Willam K. Vanderbilt talking to a for me unknown person. The man bending towards the car seems to be Fred Wagner. Szisz would eventually finish on 5th place, more than a lap behind winner Hémery.

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