Promoters brought the finest racecar drivers in the nation to the Reading area. There you have it. of about Reading PA from. FITZCHARLES, Glenn 2 Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. KATONA, Les "Memories should have been collected and submitted to the scientific community. 1 Food memories immortalized on canvasand plates 2023-03-02 - REGGIE ASPIRAS MDaryl Feril was trying to recall a dish his grandmother cooked for himit was the memory of it that inspired his Art Fair piece. 715 Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Due to red tape that delayed construction, there would be 12 more races in 1979. The case for selling high-quality used stuff YOURSELF! 4/24/64 It was henceforth proclaimed throughout the ranks, to win at Reading is beating the best, but it was tough. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. OPPERMAN, Jan 4 4 Ver ms de Reading Fairgrounds Speedway Resurrection 2013 en Facebook. $14.99. Read all about Kenny Brightbill, Dick Tobias, Bobby Gerhart. LINGLE, Joe Have had 2 men email He still races the modifieds and gets a win now and then. Below: Lindy Vicari, shown below with pageant winners (unable to he identified), operated the Reading Fairgrounds from 1955 to 1979. Leon Manchester Dave Kelly won six of those 12 races, including what became known as Grand Finale II on June 29, 1979. 3 11 "When all four wheels are off the ground and you're upside down, there's not much you can do but . 2 Of all the things I disliked about business the east coast meetings in the east coast time zones was at the top of the list. LODER, Don 1 HAUER, Bobby The 80 acres of motor sports memories was being converted into a shopping mall. In 1979 a limited racing series was held at the Fairgrounds as legal entanglements delayed development of the mall. 8 SOLOMON, Larry It became so popular that the Fairgrounds eventually held an entire season of racing, starting in March and only closing in late fall. the tracks that are now gone. 1 3/25/77 I didnt begin producing my YouTube videos until 2009 (YouTube channel: RANLAY). Dirt oval 11 Red Riegel were killed in the first turn racing sprint cars. Randy on Facebook Specialties: The Barnyard BBQ Restaurant, now with three locations, smokes it all. KESSLER, Randy Reading PA Fairgrounds Modified Memories Dirt Track Kenny Brightbill 1 John Kozak Back in the day, beginning in 1972 I worked for a company called Richardson-Vicks (RVI). . Our Mission Our ultimate goal is to build a permanant museum to house all of the collectible items that we have acquired over the years along with race cars that have been restored. ALLEN, Bobby Brightbill would win two more, finishing with 135, and Chamberlain one more, finishing with 92. 4 Do they share their experiences? BLUM, Bill TROUT, Bob 3 2 35 The 80 acres of motor sports memories was being converted into a shopping mall. 13 By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. KERSCHNER, Shorty WOLFORD, Gary Local business owner A. T. Consoli won four titles with his car # 54 with Dick Tobias and Bobby Gerhart as drivers. 1 24 not miss a race. 1 Nevertheless, this CLASSIC Trackchaser Report has finally bubbled to the surface and is now available for everyone to see atwww.randylewis.org. 6 1 Dick Quallio Send post to email address, comma separated for multiple emails. 5/18/75 2 Ver ms de Reading Fairgrounds Speedway Resurrection 2013 en Facebook. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". A special 50th. FELTY, LeRoy 133, 42 more than the guy in second place in career wins and in that grand finale, Gerry Chamberlain. Consequently Reading lost its local image and the RSCA was no longer the Reading Stock Car Assn., but the Racing Sanctioning Corporation of America. And when it was over, no one was surprised to find Kenny Brightbill in Victory Lane, which had become his second home since he got his first Reading victory in 1970. Between 1980 and 1994 the Fair was held at the Fairgrounds Square Mall and on the surrounding property. From September 20, 1924 to June 29,1979, dirt-track racing fans crowded the 80 acre site of the Reading Fairgrounds located in Muhlenburg Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania which was home to a half-mile oval that was known as The Home of Champions Modified stock cars. Speedway Park. I was amazed that the east coast folks scheduling these early meetings had ZERO empathy for their west coast visitors. 2 great modifieds, we loved watching the sprint and midgets race 2 lives in Zephyrhills,Fl and loves to talk about the good old days. 1 8/19/72 FOR SALE! Planning necessitated the visualizing of a proposed building site in terms of the possibility of expansion rather than of removal and rebuilding. My average trip covers 5,000 miles and more. 1 Jim Kirk 3 GRIFFIN, Pee Wee 5 6/23/67 7/7/78 Fairgrounds Memories - Click 5 Friday nights getting out to the parking lot to find our car coated 1 I hope you enjoy it. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. BRAXTON, Bobby 1 Randy Lewis A typical business trip to the customer service center would have me flying into Philadelphia the night before our meeting. PICKELL, Bobby There was a continuous shuttle service of trains from both Franklin Street and the Outer Station on the Reading railway, which also arranged excursions at reduced rates from places within the area bounded by Sunbury, Easton, Philadelphia, and Harrisburg. I am the face behind GoReadingBerks. I was born and raised in Reading, PA. 10/8/78 Perfect condition. USAC had run more sprint car races at Reading than any track in the country when it closed in 1979. On April 20, 1915, two adjoining tracts of land in Muhlenberg Township, totaling 54 acres, were purchased for $20,750 for the site of the Reading Fairgrounds. 7 1 Due to red tape that delayed construction, there would be 12 more races in 1979. He brought in the flatheads to compete every Wednesday night. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. racing. Peggy Snyder 01/31/07 1 All the p.from 1034873775 Vous tes ici : jacob ramsey siblings; map of california central coast cities; reading fairgrounds memories . Todays adventure was one more of the 2,000 trips that have taken me up, down and around the proverbial long and dusty trackchasing trail. riding high in the turns of Brightbill. MILLER, Paul The crowd went crazy as they had SHIRK, Darryl There were those USAC sprint shows with Andretti and Unser, Foyt and Pamelli and before them, Tommy Hinnershitz, the kid from Oley, taking on all comers on his home turf. 1 Enter your email address to subscribe to GoReadingBerks and receive notifications of new posts by email. 9/3/65 From September 20, 1924 to June 29,1979, dirt-track racing fans crowded the 80 acre site of the Reading Fairgrounds located in Muhlenburg Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania which was home to a half-mile oval that was known as The Home of Champions Modified stock cars. July 21, 2017 by Alexa Freyman. 2 This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. My grandson and I went to the World of Outlaws and I trackchase. Chamberlain hugging the fence on the inside. 4 1 CAMERON, Alex 1 4 In any given year I will travel well over 200,000 miles, rent more than 50 cars, and stay in more than 150 hotel rooms. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. YETTER, Richie BOTZ, Johnny "The throttle stuck." The modified stock car Braxton was hired to drive flipped onto its roof. Absolutely. As a fan of the racetrack I now live in Florida and go to Volusia Sorry. FARLEY, Ed 2019 Ted Fund Donors In 1957, when the opportunity presented itself, Vicari moved his program to Fridays and from that day on, Reading was a Friday night raceway. 1 You can print money in the privacy of your own home! TV to this day. 9 TOBIAS, Dick Ten years later they presented their first and only double show with another organization, the RSCA. I am indebted to several of these folks for their help and friendship. + $6.00 shipping. 16 1 When the structure gave way, in 1979, to a, 1 TIE (1st) Freddy Adam & Jackie Evans 8/13/1967, You might have remembrances about this track. 17 1 I live in southern California. In 1957, when the opportunity presented itself, Vicari moved his program to Fridays and from that day on, Reading was a Friday night raceway. LAST WIN 1 live the memories!!!! o. Crear cuenta nueva. LAZZARO, Lou 2 1 I was living in California at the time. 6 SCHELL, Tim 9 23 2 A minor bit of sfuffing to extremes, but overall, a much nicer copy than usually encountered. ZIMMERMAN, Dick Your guess is as good as mine! GILMORE, Charlie PLOSKI JR, Stan 6/16/74 ELY, George Reprinted with permission from my Pre-1980 memory! 10/25/75 6 1 Works Cited. 6 The last race of the season was marred by a fiery crash that seriously injured driver Michael Grbac of New Brunswick, N.J. A month after the crash, he died of his injuries. Ask Admins if you aren't sure if you may post something. This print measures 32" x 26". website, including a video capturing racing There were those USAC sprint shows with Andretti and Unser, Foyt and Pamelli and before them, Tommy Hinnershitz, the kid from Oley, taking on all comers on his home turf. Reading Fairgrounds Speedway (1924-1979) was a one half mile dirt/clay modified race track located in Muhlenberg Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania.The track opened September 24, 1924 and ran until June 29, 1979. you hear them all the way up in Allentown. With the mall becoming too crowded, the Fair moved to Kutztown while Fair organizers searched for a new site. KENNEDY, Beader It wasn't until 1915 that the Fair was held at it's most remembered location in Muhlenberg Township. and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at AbeBooks.com. 21 GEMENDEN, Phil were up you did not get out of the pits. Great fair memories made every year . BROWNING, Hal The ultimate irony, of course, is that it wasnt the last race. I do remember seeing something at the track that I had never seen before. I was able to retire at the age of 52 and never work for money another day in my life. 2 RILEY, Don Sometimes overshadowed by his highly successful racing promotions, Lindy also rebuilt the Farmers Market, honored the community s farm family and FFA children, attracted top entertainers and conducted a class-A slate fair with a full carnival and agricultural and horticultural midway. Am now a Tony Raines, Once you begin researching my trip itineraries from my website, yes you will want to do that, you will be surprised. Photo albums were sort of hit or miss during the early years of my trackchasing. BLATT, Bobby you were when the 3 mins. 2 It was in this time that they went from running Thats why I fell asleep during the racing at Reading! If so, please feel free to share your memories in the comments section below. When the structure gave way, in 1979, to a multi-million dollar shopping mall, it was only memories that remained. The Reading Fairgrounds in Muhlenberg Township I dont mind to much. It does not store any personal data. just witnessed what dirt track racing and the Reading Fairgrounds USAC had run more sprint car races at Reading than any track in the country when it closed in 1979. Ron Tobias Prior to 1980 I was a racechaser. 4 Photographers on record,Red Kirsh,Bob Zellers,Carl Hess. Frank Cozze 17 SUMMARY Thanks again, Peggy Snyder at plsnyder@ptd.net - welcome all emails and/or Official end of the RLR Randy Lewis Racing Trackchaser Report Thats why I fell asleep during the racing at Reading! 715 1 Editors note: This is a CLASSIC Trackchaser Report. LAPE, Dave The track closed in 1979 shortly after my visit. 3 One day Ill be in Tucson, the next in maybe Tuscaloosa and the following day in Syracuse. BALOGACH, Paul That October Sunday in 78 made it official. "We're looking for city carriers, rural carriers and we also have what we . OLSEN, Budd Official end of the RLR Randy Lewis Racing Trackchaser Report. They built a Horse Race Track and grandstands which were opened to the public in 1916. 48 I didnt think so. Ask wulliebroon about Altmuehltal-Radweg. COLLIS, Carl In order to get to a 7 a.m. breakfast meeting I would need to get up at 6 a.m. eastern time or 3 a.m. California time. Remembering Reading Fairgrounds Speedway #2819. Thats probably the most inconvenient location in the country for seeing tracks in the U.S. 3 I got the "last Bobby Gerhart Bob Pickell Iniciar sesin. Reading Fairgrounds was in the AARN weekly and the monthly 1 These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. CHAMBERLAIN, Gerald Kenny Brightbillis the Reading Fairgrounds Speedway all-time wins record holder with 135 track victories. MATTA, Tony 10/15/67 Freddy Brightbill Will it work now? Jay Stong BROMMER, Aaron Junior Mikosz and got through the heats and consolations. They dont. Throughout the 20s and 30s Reading fans saw the likes of all the top Indianapolis 500 sprint car racing stars compete on their hometown half-mile dirt speedway. Today, as a trackchaser, I commonly get up at some very early hours. COZZE, Frank . Through turns 1-2 they Will it work now? HULBERT, Mert 13 I am a trackchaser. There were those USAC sprint shows with Andretti and Unser, Foyt and Pamelli and before them, Tommy Hinnershitz, the kid from Oley, taking on all comers on his home turf. I hope you enjoy it. SKIAS, Chris Please join the RFRHS to help preserve the great memories. I went back to my favorite tracks like Ascot, Rockford, Manzanita and Santa Fe among others time and again. 7 9/17/78 How to Set Up a Reading Fair Board The Ultimate Guide Pickell Jr. We would like to thank The COVILLE, C D crowd in the pit area. It became so popular that the Fairgrounds eventually held an entire season of racing, starting in March and only closing in late fall. 1 3/23/69 BITTING, Del Hello, from the Reading Stock Car Association we have the ultimate book 115708529208 5 All of that, however, was a mere epilogue, like a wave in the distance. Reading Fairgrounds Racing Historical Society | Reading PA We settled into our seats under the big roof HOLLAND, Eddie 1 Gunzenhausen (German pronunciation: [ntsnhazn] (); Bavarian: Gunzenhausn) is a town in the Weienburg-Gunzenhausen district, in Bavaria, Germany.It is situated on the river Altmhl, 19 kilometres (12 mi) northwest of Weienburg in Bayern, and 45 kilometres (28 mi) southwest of Nuremberg.Gunzenhausen is a nationally recognized recreation area. History WEAVER, Mark 2 Today where the racetrack once stood is theFairgrounds Square Mall, which opened in 1980 and closed in 2018. 11 Its very easy to do. DENGLER, Smokey If you have any photos from back in the day, send them to me at. 27 He was one of several drivers killed at the Fairgrounds over the years. 2 3 As a racechaser my prime motivation was to go where the best racers and the best racing was happening. 1 The modified cars hosted the tracks biggest success story when, in 1967, Reading went to two nights a week racing, running only a single show, paying up to $15,000 per week by 1970. By this time, the crowd Reading BUT, I did, loud and clear. The town of Gunzenhausen is nearby and it has numerous shops, cafe's, bars and a semi permanent fun fair. RFRHS: GRIFFIN, Bernie Although I hated eastern time meetings and meetings in general I was tied to the corporate tit. SHAW, Bob Whats that you ask? 1 2 10/21/62 5 It wasnt until 1949, though, that the Fairgrounds started to gain a characteristic of its own. TRAUTMAN, Bob So many local drivers made the competition tough and exciting. karts. 1 For whatever reason (usually not enough time) this trackchasing adventure didnt get posted to my website when I first made the track visit. Often a classic TR will not have a video and/or photo album attached. 7/10/64 18 Back 5 I had never given much thought to being a trackchaser. When you receive one of my Trackchaser Reports or find one on my website atwww.randylewis.orgI hope you will take the time to imagine in your mind what it took to make this trip from SoCal and understand the fun I had doing it. 4 4 Today, as a trackchaser, I commonly get up at some very early hours. Reading Fairgrounds Speedway, the Home of Champions Al Tasnady Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. It wasnt until 1949, though, that the Fairgrounds started to gain a characteristic of its own. I know you will find it interesting. Kim Jackie Evans 8/20/78 The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". 10 10 But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. 1 6/24/79 26 HENDRICKSON, Lee 1 Donny WIMBLE, Bill LAWSHE, Art Then in 1963 the inevitable occurred and Reading switched over to running weekly modified competition paying $500 to win and posting the largest weekly modified purse around. Thanks for filling in so much nostalgia for my upbringing and the roots I am so proud of. Long went down for some of those famous french fries to the right of the 1 TIE (1st) Freddy Adam & Jackie Evans 8/13/1967 HALDEMAN, Ed RICHARDS, Harvey