The Vanderbilt Cup Races
In 1900, William Kissam Vanderbilt Junior was 22 years old, and heir to an immense fortune. He was also fascinated by fast cars. He became convinced that American automobiles of the day were inferior to those of Europe. That realization spawned an idea: he could sponsor an international road race in the United States. If the prize was worthwhile, the race would attract the fastest cars and the best drivers in the world, all racing together over the same course. The American auto industry (and public) would see where things stood, and innovation would be stimulated.
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William K. Vanderbilt Jr. Challenge Cup |
William K. Vanderbilt Jr. in 1903 |
"Willie K," as his friends called him, knew speed first-hand. In January 1904, he set a new world record, driving his Mercedes for a mile on the sands near Daytona at an average of 92.3 mph. Tiffany and Co. depicted that feat on the trophy it created for the fruit of Vanderbilt's musings, the Vanderbilt Cup Races, the first of which rolled right through Hicksville in 1904.
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