Astor Cup auto race
Encyclopedia
The Astor Cup Race was an American
auto racing
event, first run in 1915 at the Sheepshead Bay Speedway
at Sheepshead Bay, New York
. The winner's trophy was donated by Vincent Astor
, whose name and connections ensured the attendance of members of New York City's
fashionable and wealthy elite.
Owned by a group of Wall Street
and other business investors, including Harry Harkness
of Cleveland and Carl G. Fisher
of Indianapolis
, the Sheepshead Bay Speedway Corporation acquired the defunct horse racing
facility known as the Sheepshead Bay Race Track
(which had been owned by William Kissam Vanderbilt
and Leonard Jerome's
Coney Island Jockey Club). The purchase was completed in April 1915 and the first Astor Cup race was held on October 9 that year.
Run over a two-mile (3 km) banked oval board track, the 350 miles (563.3 km) race was marred by the death of Harry Grant
who died when his vehicle crashed during a practice run. Won by Gil Andersen
in a Stutz
, the first Astor Cup drew the top drivers from across the United States and Europe
such as Ralph DePalma
, Barney Oldfield
, Eddie Rickenbacker
, Dario Resta
, Johnny Aitken
and Howdy Wilcox
.
The race ceased to exist after two years. Other auto races continued at the track until 1919. The Sheepshead Bay Speedway Corporation ran into financial difficulties, following the January, 1919, death of Harry Harkness. The property was sold for residential real estate development.
The original cup, now renamed the IZOD IndyCar Series World Championship Trophy will be used as the championship trophy for the IndyCar Series
starting in 2011. A black granite base has been added displaying the names of all the American Championship car racing
series winners since 1909.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
auto racing
Auto racing
Auto racing is a motorsport involving the racing of cars for competition. It is one of the world's most watched televised sports.-The beginning of racing:...
event, first run in 1915 at the Sheepshead Bay Speedway
Sheepshead Bay Race Track
Sheepshead Bay Race Track was an American Thoroughbred horse racing facility built on the site of the Coney Island Jockey Club at Sheepshead Bay, New York...
at Sheepshead Bay, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. The winner's trophy was donated by Vincent Astor
Vincent Astor
William Vincent Astor was a businessman and philanthropist and a member of the prominent Astor family.-Early life:...
, whose name and connections ensured the attendance of members of New York City's
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
fashionable and wealthy elite.
Owned by a group of Wall Street
Wall Street
Wall Street refers to the financial district of New York City, named after and centered on the eight-block-long street running from Broadway to South Street on the East River in Lower Manhattan. Over time, the term has become a metonym for the financial markets of the United States as a whole, or...
and other business investors, including Harry Harkness
Harry Harkness
Harry Stephen Harkness was an early American aviator and racing driver. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, of a wealthy family and son of Standard Oil investor Lamon V. Harkness, Harkness financed the building of many early airplanes...
of Cleveland and Carl G. Fisher
Carl G. Fisher
Carl Graham Fisher was an American entrepreneur. Despite having severe astigmatism, he became a seemingly tireless pioneer and promoter of the automotive, auto racing, and real estate development industries...
of Indianapolis
Indianapolis
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
, the Sheepshead Bay Speedway Corporation acquired the defunct horse racing
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
facility known as the Sheepshead Bay Race Track
Sheepshead Bay Race Track
Sheepshead Bay Race Track was an American Thoroughbred horse racing facility built on the site of the Coney Island Jockey Club at Sheepshead Bay, New York...
(which had been owned by William Kissam Vanderbilt
William Kissam Vanderbilt
William Kissam Vanderbilt was a member of the prominent American Vanderbilt family. He managed railroads and was a horse breeder.-Biography:...
and Leonard Jerome's
Leonard Jerome
Leonard Walter Jerome was a Brooklyn, New York, financier and grandfather of Winston Churchill.- Early life :...
Coney Island Jockey Club). The purchase was completed in April 1915 and the first Astor Cup race was held on October 9 that year.
Run over a two-mile (3 km) banked oval board track, the 350 miles (563.3 km) race was marred by the death of Harry Grant
Harry Grant
Harry Grant was an American auto racing driver. Born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, driving an ALCO, Grant won the 1909 and 1910 Vanderbilt Cup on Long Island. He then competed in the Indianapolis 500 four times between 1911 and 1915. He had his best showing in 1915, finishing in 5th place...
who died when his vehicle crashed during a practice run. Won by Gil Andersen
Gil Andersen
Gil Andersen was an Norwegian-American racecar driver active during the formative years of auto racing....
in a Stutz
Stutz Motor Company
The Stutz Motor Company was a producer of luxury cars based in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. Production began in 1911 and continued through 1935. The marque reappeared in 1968 under the aegis of Stutz Motor Car of America, Inc., and with a newly defined modern retro-look. Although the company is...
, the first Astor Cup drew the top drivers from across the United States and Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
such as Ralph DePalma
Ralph DePalma
Ralph De Palma was an Italian-American racecar driving champion, most notably winner of the 1915 Indianapolis 500. His entry at the International Motorsports Hall of Fame estimates that he won about 2000 races...
, Barney Oldfield
Barney Oldfield
Berna Eli "Barney" Oldfield was an automobile racer and pioneer. He was born on a farm on the outskirts of Wauseon, Ohio. He was the first man to drive a car at 60 miles per hour on an oval...
, Eddie Rickenbacker
Eddie Rickenbacker
Edward Vernon Rickenbacker was an American fighter ace in World War I and Medal of Honor recipient. He was also a race car driver and automotive designer, a government consultant in military matters and a pioneer in air transportation, particularly as the longtime head of Eastern Air Lines.-Early...
, Dario Resta
Dario Resta
Dario Resta , nicknamed "Dolly", was an Italian Briton race car driver. Raised in England from the age of two, he began racing there starting in 1907. He took part in the Montagu Cup the very first race of the now historic Brooklands track. He set a record of in a half-mile run a few years later...
, Johnny Aitken
Johnny Aitken
Johnny Aitken was a racecar driver from Indianapolis, who was active in the years prior to World War I.Aitken competed in the Indianapolis 500 three times. He started the race twice, in 1911 and 1916. He led the first lap of the first race . Aitken captured the pole position in 1916, but ended...
and Howdy Wilcox
Howdy Wilcox
Howard Samuel Wilcox was an American racecar driver active in formative years of auto racing.Born in Crawfordsville, Indiana, Howdy Wilcox led the last 98 laps of the 1919 Indianapolis 500 after starting in the 2nd position. He died in a wreck in 1923 at the Altoona Speedway board track in Tyrone,...
.
The race ceased to exist after two years. Other auto races continued at the track until 1919. The Sheepshead Bay Speedway Corporation ran into financial difficulties, following the January, 1919, death of Harry Harkness. The property was sold for residential real estate development.
The original cup, now renamed the IZOD IndyCar Series World Championship Trophy will be used as the championship trophy for the IndyCar Series
IndyCar Series
The IZOD IndyCar Series is the premier level of American open wheel racing. The current championship, founded by Indianapolis Motor Speedway owner Tony George, began in 1996 as a competitor to CART known as the Indy Racing League . Citing CART's increasing reliance on expensive machinery and...
starting in 2011. A black granite base has been added displaying the names of all the American Championship car racing
American Championship Car Racing
Since 1916 there has been a recognized United States national automobile racing National Championship for drivers of professional-level, single-seat open wheel race cars. The championship has been under the auspices of several different sanctioning bodies since 1909. Since 1911, the Indianapolis...
series winners since 1909.
Race results
| Year | Date | Winning driver | Car | Race distance | Time of race | Winning speed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miles | Laps | ||||||
| 1915 | Oct 9 |  Gil AndersenGil Andersen Gil Andersen was an Norwegian-American racecar driver active during the formative years of auto racing.... |
Stutz Stutz Stutz may refer to:*Harry C. Stutz , American automobile pioneer and manufacturer of luxury cars and fire engines*Josef Stutz , Swiss Conservative politician*Stutz Motor Company, American luxury cars producer... |
350 | 175 | 03:24:42 | 102.59 mi/h |
| 1916 | Sept 16 |  Johnny AitkenJohnny Aitken Johnny Aitken was a racecar driver from Indianapolis, who was active in the years prior to World War I.Aitken competed in the Indianapolis 500 three times. He started the race twice, in 1911 and 1916. He led the first lap of the first race . Aitken captured the pole position in 1916, but ended... |
Peugeot Peugeot Peugeot is a major French car brand, part of PSA Peugeot Citroën, the second largest carmaker based in Europe.The family business that precedes the current Peugeot company was founded in 1810, and manufactured coffee mills and bicycles. On 20 November 1858, Emile Peugeot applied for the lion... |
250 | 125 | 02:23:04.03 | 104.484 mi/h |
Sources
- http://www.champcarstats.com
- Galpin, Darren; A Record of Motorsport Racing Before World War I.
- Harry S. Harkness dies of Influenza, New York Times, January 24, 1919
External links
- Website for the 1915 Astor Cup race & Sheepshead Bay race details (Site contains newspaper articles and an excellent collection of photos)