Bridgehampton Automobile Racing Part Two: Coffee, Cars, and a Road Rally

My obsession with automobiles feels endless: they are exotic, almost magical even when standing still. Just walking around a newly waxed sports car admiring the crisp lines the designer first envisioned as what might someday be a reality, I am enchanted. With no car in sight, I still hear the motor start and the tires chirp. Mention a name like Ian Callum and I see the heritage of Aston Martin and Jaguar.

The events that take place every Autumn in Bridgehampton permit everyone with an interest, novices included, to share in automotive festivities that allow for participation (parading and/or racing) as well as socializing and learning about the cars and the history of Auto Racing.

• The Bridgehampton Racing Heritage Group

Last we spoke our conversation was centered on Bridgehampton’s place in automobile history.

If re-visiting the history of ‘The Bridge’ at the Bridgehampton Museum’s exhibit leaves you wondering just what it was like back in the day, well – good news is at hand. Three events are held in Bridgehampton every Autumn and they are sure to thrill.

• Cars & Coffee Car Show – an annual event, held in September @ on the grounds of the Bridgehampton Historical Society
  • Bridgehampton Cars and Coffee is a social gathering uniting owners and enthusiasts of classic, vintage, exotic, and specialty cars. More than 100 classic cars are expected, and admission is free. The event is hosted by the organizers of the invite-only exhibition, “The Bridge,” which takes place the day before at the site of the former Bridgehampton Race Circuit. Smorgasburg’s purveyors from New York City and across the region will be on-site offering food and drink, and there will be live entertainment. Enthusiasts are encouraged to bring their vehicles to display.

• The Bridgehampton Road Rally – October
  • The Sports Car Club of America offers a simple explanation of what a Road-Rally is all about: a Road-Rally is a scenic drive with a purpose, a chance to enjoy a day with a friend, the least expensive form of motorsport and, as one participant described it, “The most intense thing I have ever done.” Considering that this “most intense thing” was done on a public road without breaking any laws in a car with absolutely no modifications – it’s clear that ‘Road-Rally’ is much more than a simple phrase can describe.
  • The annual Bridgehampton Road Rally has been held every year since 1993, and has expanded to become much more than just a vintage car showing and race. For a full day, vintage car and racing enthusiasts, as well as the public, are invited to gather together on the grounds of the Bridgehampton Museum’s Corwith House in the center of town to celebrate the town’s rich racing history.
  • The event is comprised of four main parts: registration and judging in the morning for motorists, followed by a parade of the vehicles around the original 1949-1953 four-mile race loop and back to the Corwith House grounds where the event is based, then the Rally Race starts (that includes a poker game, a historical trivia challenge as well as a time component). While traditionally the race was a non-timed leisurely tour through the scenic and historic community, the tour and the rally race were recently separated as distinct events so that the rally race can be more competitive while the tour can remain leisurely. Motorists can participate in just the rally or the tour.
  • Have a look at the Bridgehampton Road Rally Application and you just might decide that the adventure is in your future.

• ’The Bridge’ – September (by Invitation Only)
  • The Bridge, an exclusive Auto & Art Show, continues the heritage of luxury & classic car events on the grounds of a private luxury golf course that has preserved many of the hallmarks of the original race track.
  • ‘The iconic setting is hallowed ground in racing history, home to the Bridgehampton Race Circuit which dates back to 1957 and the golden age of American road racing. One of the country’s most legendary and challenging tracks, the raceway held major international series attracting the likes of Mario Andretti, Richard Petty, Stirling Moss, Phil Hill, and Dan Gurney along with global press and wealthy racing enthusiasts. The events were enormously popular, and many collectors and enthusiasts recall traveling here to see the World Sportscar Championship, the Can-Am series, and even NASCAR.”  

Lagniappe – This week: cool car stuff in three links or less!

• Photographer and Writer Kieran Buttrick called himself lucky to be able to attend ’The Bridge’ which, in the opinion of many automobile aficionados, is quickly becoming one of America’s finest car shows! Have a look at his review on Petrolicious. ‘I’ll admit to being smitten with a few cars I’d not known existed prior to this day, and the day was characterized by the simple pleasure of spending quality time with things that you only typically see from afar!’ KB
• Vanity Fair calls The Bridge ‘a collectible-car show and lawn party at the Bridgehampton golf club. It boasts 150 stunning cars, 1,200 elite guests, and 17 brands eager to spend time with them.’

If the classic car bug has your heart held captive, or your new ride needs restoration, talk to the folks at Aventura Motors, black card required!

Gary

And if you are interested in more like this, check out these blogs:

• Bridgehampton Auto Racing Part One
• Historical Museums of the Hamptons, Part Three: Bridgehampton and Watermill