Wednesday 2nd March 1870
Born on this day, William Kissam Vanderbilt II, motor racing enthusiast and yachtsman and a member of the prominent United States Vanderbilt family. In 1904, Willie K. Vanderbilt set a new land speed record of 92.30 mph (148.54 km/h) in a Mercedes at the Daytona Beach Road Course at Ormond Beach, Florida. That same year, he launched the Vanderbilt Cup, the first major trophy in American auto racing.