“Black Beast” racer to be honored at 3rd Annual Vanderbilt Centennial Celebration

Howard Kroplick's vintage Alco Racer participated in major early automobile races, winning the Vanderbilt Cup Races for the U.S. in 1909 and 1910.

The Alco “Black Beast” Racer will be featured at the 7th Annual Vanderbilt Centennial Celebration to be held at Roosevelt Field Mall in Roslyn, New York this Sunday, Aug. 8, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“The Alco Racer won the Vanderbilt Cup Races for the U.S.A. in 1909 and 1910 and we are thrilled to have Howard Kroplick on hand to demonstrate his “Black Beast” during the event,” says Vanderbilt Cup Races Executive Director Guy Frost. Kroplick’s vintage Alco Racer participated in major early automobile races including the American Grand Prize, the Elgin National Trophy Race and the inaugural Indy 500 Race.

Car owners are encouraged to enter both a judged Concours and Demonstration Runs and will be eligible for Concours awards. Demonstration Runs will be held to the southwest of Roosevelt Mall at Clinton Avenue near a wooded area that marks the site of the original Vanderbilt Cup raceway. “Concours judging will be based on live broadcast interviews with the owners of all entered cars and based on special significance, not on spit and polish”, declares Frost.

The event encourages owners of Competition vehicles and club groups to participate in both the Concours and the Demonstration Runs. “We started the Vanderbilt Centennial Celebration in 2004, not only to pay tribute to this exciting time in automotive history, but to also pay tribute to the incredible cars that participated”, shares Frost. The general public is urged to attend and join in the celebration. Car entries will be accepted onsite the day of the event for a $20.00 fee. A registration form is posted at www.vanderbiltcupraces.com or entrants may contact 516 621-2745.

About the Vanderbilt Cup Races
The Vanderbilt Cup Races were proposed by William K. Vanderbilt Jr., heir to the Vanderbilt transportation empire and a pioneer race car driver. Originally held on public unpaved roads in western Long Island, in 1904 Vanderbilt challenged the best of Europe's automakers to compete in the first international auto competition ever staged in the United States. As a venue for the races, Vanderbilt and his business associates in 1908 financed the first road built exclusively for automobiles -the Long Island Motor Parkway. Held from 1904 to 1910 on Long Island, the Vanderbilt Cup Races had a far-reaching impact on the development of American automobiles and parkways and are a testament to the early racing spirit and drama.

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