This was something about killing two birds with one stone which sounds kind of barbaric to me. 27 This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 3 VOLZ, Tony Promoters brought the finest racecar drivers in the nation to the Reading area. KERSCHNER, Whitey 4 in dust. 6/27/71 9 29 1 LAWSHE, Art 6/28/68 5 racing. Long One day Ill be in Tucson, the next in maybe Tuscaloosa and the following day in Syracuse. You want this if you love Racing ! 2 Today where the racetrack once stood is theFairgrounds Square Mall, which opened in 1980 and closed in 2018. 13 BRIGHTBILL, Freddy 4/8/72 In 1978, the last fair was held on the Muhlenberg site because the Fairgrounds was sold to developers of the Fairgrounds Square Mall. 9/3/65 Due to the volume of suggestions we receive, we will not be able to fulfill every request, but we will give each submission serious consideration. In 1932, three shows were held. 3/12/67 The completed Fairgrounds consisted of exhibition buildings, a racetrack with a grandstand and amusement rides. 1 It was also through the modified cars that Reading innovated car rules and regulations, safety features, track preparations, and more efficient race procedures. Freddy Adam TOBIAS, Ron 1 1 dr patel plastic surgeon oak brook. PAULSON, Ronnie CHARLES, Harry It wasnt until 1949, though, that the Fairgrounds started to gain a characteristic of its own. 1 SHIRK, Darryl 1 4/11/70 3 watching the classic battles between Gerald Chamberlain, Kenny 133, 42 more than the guy in second place in career wins and in that grand finale, Gerry Chamberlain. Harry Moore Below: Reading Fairgrounds Grandstand. This was something about killing two birds with one stone which sounds kind of barbaric to me. Its very easy to do. 3 In 1955, apromoter named Lindy Vicari took over a tract of land and began weekly racing for the first time at the Reading Fairgrounds. HAUER, Bobby CLEAVER, Dennis 1 favorite # 26 Red Coffin. 7/22/77 2 But my job doesnt stop me from sharing my love of the history of the city where I was born and raised and love so very much. I just went there to have fun and follow my boyhood passion of short track, almost all the time dirt and almost all the time stock car racing. . The track opened September 24, 1924 and ran until June 29, 1979. 11 There were Brightbill and Chamberlain, Dick Tobias and A1 Tasnady, Bobby Gerhart and Freddy Adam, the names who made Reading what it was -and who were made what they were in many ways bj the fairgrounds. It was a local driver named Tommy Hinnershitz that caused its beginning. SUMMARY Donny MULLIGAN, Whip I went back to my favorite tracks like Ascot, Rockford, Manzanita and Santa Fe among others time and again. Brightbill would win two more, finishing with 135, and Chamberlain one more, finishing with 92. FOR SALE! These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. 4/1/79 6 Sorry. Russ Delp I didnt begin producing my YouTube videos until 2009 (YouTube channel: RANLAY). They built a Horse Race Track and grandstands which were opened to the public in 1916. We raced on dirt and on asphalt mainly in the tri-state And there were those who paid the ultimate price, such as Jud Larson and Red Riegel, Jackie Evans and Mike Grbac, the young New Jersey driver who died a month after the final 78 race from injuries suffered in a cartwheeling accident down the main straight halfway through that event. S sonny fetherman 388 followers More information 246 best images about Reading Fairgrounds and Reading Pennsylvania . Thanks for the memories. 1 I get the chance to meet people from all over the world. So many local drivers made the competition tough and exciting. 52 TV to this day. VOSS, Larry 2 Ver ms de Reading Fairgrounds Speedway Resurrection 2013 en Facebook. On Saturday May 21st, 2022, a plaque commemorating the Reading Fairgrounds & Speedway was ceremonially dedicated to the drivers who lost their lives there. 6 10 Consequently Reading lost its local image and the RSCA was no longer the Reading Stock Car Assn., but the Racing Sanctioning Corporation of America. 4 7/22/66 I look forward to seeing more from your website. At midnight in the east it was only 9 p.m. in California (Pacific Time). The white flag was 2 When the series of Fairs was in the making at the Muhlenberg site, racing had become so popular that one of the first items of business was the location and building of a track. 16 7 Born in 1897, he witnessed the growth and expansion of the city which was once the 4th largest city in Pennsylvania with a population close to 130,000 not including unnaturalized citizens. I had heard tales of the packed houses Reading got, and this night It featured a regular weekly series of modified, sportsman modified, and late model stock car racing. This had nothing to do with the quality of the racing! and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at AbeBooks.com. 1 Fairgrounds Memories 716 6 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. A Muhlenberg Township resident for over forty years, Lindy brought back the Miss Reading Fair Pageant as well as creating the Little Miss Pageant while continuing the traditions of the annual Reading Fair. I had never given much thought to being a trackchaser. Reading Fairgrounds - Modified Memories - Stock Car Racing Author VICARI, Vince; Ed Illustrator Photo Illustrated Format/Binding Hardcover Book condition Used - Fine Jacket condition No Jacket Edition First Edition Binding Hardcover Publisher Racing Sanctioning Corp. Of America Place of Publication Reading, PA Date Published 1979 Keywords Find them in Teays Valley, Milton and Cross Lanes for mouth watering smoked prime rib, slow smoked baby back ribs, smoked chicken, Cajun catfish crab stuffed catfish and much, much The 80 acres of motor sports memories was being converted into a shopping mall. BOTZ, Johnny 4 Dirt oval 12 SEROKA, Lenny You might have remembrances about this track. Official end of the RLR Randy Lewis Racing Trackchaser Report I dont mind to much. 9 11/20/77 5 The ultimate irony, of course, is that it wasnt the last race. Whenever I could I would try to time my business visits from all over the country into a racing visit as well. KANTORSKY, Pete TOTAL 10/22/78 15 4 1 Recent Additions to our Reading Fairgrounds Memories Page. HAVENS, Dick GEORGE, Del Editors note: This is a CLASSIC Trackchaser Report. All of that, however, was a mere epilogue, like a wave in the distance. Serving folks since 2002. ROCHELLE, Paul HUBBARD, Johnny When the structure gave way, in 1979, to a multi-million dollar shopping mall, it was only memories that remained. Due to red tape that delayed construction, there would be 12 more races in 1979. were all about. 4/24/64 In 1961, Reading ran its first special modified event in which Bob Malzahn went home the victor. reading pa obituaries 2021. Once you begin researching my trip itineraries from my website, yes you will want to do that, you will be surprised. Hall of Fame Member, Thats all folks! A minor bit of sfuffing to extremes, but overall, a much nicer copy than usually encountered. 1 Ten years later they presented their first and only double show with another organization, the RSCA. 2 BRACKEY, Bruno Do others trackchase? was standing now, no one was in their sits as we all were yelling 5 GARBER, Harry 26 1 11 These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Wish I would have had eyes in the back of my head when Joe Pittman, the father and 43 also. Several subsequent purchases increased the area to approximately 78 acres. 6 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. Below: 1966 photo showing Mario Andretti # 9 dueling with Lone Star JR Johnny Rutherford. For the first eight years Reading only ran one show a year, usually during the annual Reading Fair. 1 This was during the 2000 trackchasing season. 8/8/71 2 SWEIGART, Bob I hail from the sleepy little village by the sea, San Clemente, California. Reading Fairgrounds Speedway(19241979) was a one half mile dirt/clay modified race track located inMuhlenburg Township,Berks County,Pennsylvania. I didnt think so. 7 1 DUNSTAN, Ronnie 6/23/67 And there were those who paid the ultimate price, such as Jud Larson and Red Riegel, Jackie Evans and Mike Grbac, the young New Jersey driver who died a month after the final 78 race from injuries suffered in a cartwheeling accident down the main straight halfway through that event. It was the end of an era. 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. 4 Thanks! BRENN JR, Ken 5 Or you can visit me on Facebook. 5 5 Planning necessitated the visualizing of a proposed building site in terms of the possibility of expansion rather than of removal and rebuilding. 1 READINGER, Dan 2 8 2 Mike Meals BEHRENT, Harry This print measures 32" x 26". Most of the racetracks in the U.S. are located well over 1,000 miles from where I live. The beloved flatheads grew in popularity and stature. I am the face behind GoReadingBerks. I was born and raised in Reading, PA. 20 8 Could not help overhearing him, did not you were when the 3 mins. 1 18 This was during our first time to live in California from 1975-1979. 1 Works Cited. I really love the heritage of the homestead, I have a box from the 60 s Bachman Foods Inc. Its. 1 36 7 Source: www.goreadingberks.com 3 Remember, this was only the 46, Reading Fairgrounds Speedway, the Home of Champions, Below: Reading Fairgrounds located in Muhlenburg Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania, Since 1911 the covered grandstand saw many generations pass and echoed the names of many champions. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. 13 1 The town of Gunzenhausen is nearby and it has numerous shops, cafe's, bars and a semi permanent fun fair. Have had 2 men email SHARP, Henry went down for some of those famous french fries to the right of the Dave Marburger 8/21/64 Automobile racing at the fairgrounds was introduced on September 20, 1924 at the annual Reading Fair, dating back to the middle of the 19th century. This group is for sharing memories and photos of the Reading Fairgrounds. 715 PICKELL, Bobby TROUT, Bob 7 6 1ST WIN racing at the Reading Fairgrounds. MOORE, Harry Billy Deskovick No matter who 5 letter words for wordle beginning with s. reading fairgrounds memories. were up you did not get out of the pits. It became so popular that the Fairgrounds eventually held an entire season of racing, starting in March and only closing in late fall. Send post to email address, comma separated for multiple emails. Click here for more information on: I became interested in the history of Reading through the many stories my grandfather used to tell me. If so, please feel free to share your memories in the comments section below. FRENCH, Ralph 1 1 At midnight in the east it was only 9 p.m. in California (Pacific Time). 11 Your guess is as good as mine! 10/25/75 BLUM, Bill STONG, Jay 1 With all the great Health? It does not store any personal data. was..Kenny Brightbill A great variety of amusements to appeal to the taste of everyone who came through the gate was provided. what about Buzzie Reutimann ? 9 I was amazed that the east coast folks scheduling these early meetings had ZERO empathy for their west coast visitors. I take 35-40 of those trips each season. The binding is tight. 5 10 6/22/75 7 In 1965, the United States Auto Club (USAC) ran its first night race and also began scheduling five shows a year. VARNER, Donnie Movie-1-Chapter-3 Tom Luce 10K views 7. ADAM, Freddy 1 STIVES, Don Please join the RFRHS to help preserve the great memories. 7/14/78 I do have one memory of looking at the cover of a paperback book. Absolutely. 3 80 . FREYER, Karl So with the knowledge, as limited as it is, that I fell asleep during the semi at Reading I will share some research info that I gathered about the famous Reading Fairgrounds Speedway. 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. 92 62 The Reading Fairgrounds was considered to be the best weekly racing program in the country. 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. VAN HORN, Carl Tommy won his first race in 1938. 3 you hear them all the way up in Allentown. It was a local driver named Tommy Hinnershitz that caused its beginning. Often a classic TR will not have a video and/or photo album attached. clock. 7/9/65 9/3/71 Copyright 2023 Randy Lewis - All Right Reserved. 715 2 3 MURPHY, Johnny 2 2 1 GILLETTE, Don 6 WILLIAMSON, Kramer I take 35-40 of those trips each season. In 1985 the Procter & Gamble Company would make its biggest acquisition ever, up to that point, of RVI. Money? One big contribution to the fairs success was the accessibility of transportation accommodations. 1 OSMUN, Billy 1 HULBERT, Mert 6 28 . The track closed in 1979 shortly after my visit. That car has been restored. There was the sight of promoter Lindy Vicari in his grader, working the track surface to the optimum of tackiness the good kind. Brightbill, Chamberlain, I know you will find it interesting. 1 Thanks again, Peggy Snyder at plsnyder@ptd.net - welcome all emails and/or 14 The case for selling high-quality used stuff YOURSELF! These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. demeanor make him a favorite. 1 2 Thank wulliebroon . It was from 1949 to 1957 though, that Hinnershsitz put the character into Reading. tipton, iowa obituaries. 4/5/64 Where we work. 6 1 Keep up the good job with these memory pages. SKIAS, Chris When I got to my hotel it was difficult to get to sleep with the three hour time zone change. Publisher Racing Sanctioning Corp. of America Publication date January 1, 1978 See all details Inspire a love of reading with Amazon Book Box for Kids front. Tommy Hinnershitzhad wins at the track early in his career. DENGLER, Smokey 23 One story I do remember well, was the fact that I had to sit in the grandstand. 6 Europeans faces of Argentina in the twenties: Einwanderungsland Argentinian writers during a discussion in Frankfurt Book Fair Blues: O ARGENTINA! For whatever reason (usually not enough time) this trackchasing adventure didnt get posted to my website when I first made the track visit. Held at Pioneer Pole Buildings on Route 183 in Schuylkill Haven, Reading Fairgrounds Historical Society hosted a three-day event to honor and remember the drivers and cars that ran at the. 92 1 Joel Wessner . two made up the front row on the restart. WISMER JR, Kenny Through turns 1-2 they Legends who used to race at the Reading Fairgrounds will be on site Saturday to meet folks and sign autographs. old who had many questions for his Dad. HALL, Bob Enter your email address to subscribe to GoReadingBerks and receive notifications of new posts by email. 1 18 John Kozak These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. 1 A lot of these races were won by #1 Tobias, # 76 Chamberlain, # 57 Reading had a string of yellow lights that ran overhead from the inside edge of the track to the outside edge of the track. Local business owner A. T. Consoli won four titles with his car # 54 with Dick Tobias and Bobby Gerhart as drivers. 2 Great drivers, great fans & great memories!!! Reading Fairgrounds Modified Memories Yearbook Issue: / Year: 1980 Condition: VG-History 313495870366 We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. In 1922, after six years of planning, a stage complete with a theatrical unit, including dressing rooms, lounges, etc., was erected. 8 Mainly during the 1970s, my friend, Donny Fisher (passed away years 10/22/77 5 3 When I opened it, it asked me whether I wanted to transfer software from another source, which I did; I transferred everything . After that we would relocate to first Connecticut and then Chicago. The EventVideo Plus In 1955, apromoter named Lindy Vicari took over a tract of land and began weekly racing for the first time at the Reading Fairgrounds. 9 1 TROUT. 3 Accept Read More. 8 26 Ronnie Tobias 5/10/70 KEPPLEY, Jim 7 As the feature went on, both of them were working their way toward An amazing life's work. 6/5/64 I just went there to have fun and follow my boyhood passion of short track, almost all the time dirt and almost all the time stock car racing. 3/25/77 action from the mid 70's. 10/18/75 AbeBooks.com: Reading Fairgrounds - Modified Memories - Stock Car Racing: Bound in the original blue and yellow stiff wraps. 90 1 ALLEN, Bobby 14 No spam, no businesses and no links to other sites. 65 Drivers 6 4/19/63 Ron Tobias 9/10/76 The summary should include the main idea and important takeaways related to that main idea. 1 10/22/61 3 Tommy Hinnershitzhad wins at the track early in his career. Fred George 06.11.09 Editors note: This is a CLASSIC Trackchaser Report. There were Brightbill and Chamberlain, Dick Tobias and A1 Tasnady, Bobby Gerhart and Freddy Adam, the names who made Reading what it was -and who were made what they were in many ways bj the fairgrounds. Reading Fairgrounds was in the AARN weekly and the monthly REAKES, Sammy SLEIGHT, George The speedway got its nickname long before the stock car champions became stars. Jackie McClaughlin I developed goreadingberks.com around 1998 for the purpose of presenting information about the History of the Catholic Faith in Reading. It was primarily a local division, but large purses and crowds forced Lindy to stay with the flatheads long after other area speedways were already running the powerful modified racing cars. KELLY, Mike 3 9 8 4/4/70 4 Figuring out the logistics of a trip like that is as much fun for me as watching a figure 8 race. 1 3 It was primarily a local division, but large purses and crowds forced Lindy to stay with the flatheads long after other area speedways were already running the powerful modified racing cars. Dirt Track Cars The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". 3 REUTIMANN, Buzzie 30 What the heck does Classic mean? 8/28/64 Iniciar sesin. Meme Desantis 9 The lad Laudan Potts 10/21/62 SASSAMAN, Dave 1 1 Neck and neck through the turns, The ultimate irony, of course, is that it wasnt the last race. 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. 2 When gasoline took the place of the railroad, the Reading Transit Company brought in fleets of buses from other cities. Jay Stong MOORE, Mose 3 21 TILLMAN, Herbie This profile needs more info. pictorials, several of which I still have. Remember, this was only the 46thdifferent track I had ever seen. BRAXTON, Bobby 1 For whatever reason (usually not enough time) this trackchasing adventure didnt get posted to my website when I first made the track visit. It was henceforth proclaimed throughout the ranks, to win at Reading is beating the best, but it was tough. Randys Complete Track List 6/16/74 There was the sight of promoter Lindy Vicari in his grader, working the track surface to the optimum of tackiness the good kind. Copyright 2021 GoReadingBerks | All Rights Reserved |. Will it work now? 14 YOUNG, Bruce Photographic endsheets. 7 Reprinted with permission from my Pre-1980 memory! reading fairgrounds memories. JOHNSON, Bob We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. questions and stories. Tried to explain the difference but gave up when Dad told the lad to go get something to 18 1 We raced with Michael Andretti when he was a kid at an 1 Bob Siedel 4 Thanks for reading about my trackchasing, 10 7/17/64 Hall of Fame Member 9/5/75 This is what the Reading legends were made of. Nineteen Eighty-Four (also published as 1984) is a dystopian social science fiction novel and cautionary tale by English writer George Orwell.It was published on 8 June 1949 by Secker & Warburg as Orwell's ninth and final book completed in his lifetime. This was during our first time to live in California from 1975-1979. There were Brightbill and Chamberlain, Dick Tobias and A1 Tasnady, Bobby Gerhart and Freddy Adam, the names who made Reading what it was -and who were made what they were in many ways bj the fairgrounds. SMITH, Ralph STRUPP, Sonny Vous tes ici : jacob ramsey siblings; map of california central coast cities; reading fairgrounds memories . Carl Van Horn CARTER, Rags 2 1 OLSEN, Budd 3 Wide's Picture Vault is Brought to You With the Support of: ..Remembering Our Area's Auto Racing From the Past. Everyone came to share the moment and say goodbye. EARNSHAW, Leigh The 80 acres of motor sports memories was being converted into a shopping mall. 2 Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. I saw the newest Star Wars movie last week and it brought back memories that stretch back almost four decades. 6 BRIGHTBILL, Kenny WALES, Milford 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. Nov 19, 2022 - Explore Patrick Bendrick's board "reading Fairgrounds" on Pinterest. 27 My average trip covers 5,000 miles and more. 1 In 1932, three shows were held. house for rent waldport oregon; is thanos a villain or anti hero OLSEN, Walt If you love Reading Fairgrounds, visit 5 waves as they near the finish and at the line it Loaded with pics and bios of the drivers. Im thinking there were a few strings of these lights around the track. REIFINGER, Hal 14 1 Reading is a culture, the moment a youngster is exposed to someone reading in the family they are fine tuned and the concept of books and readings would be in the back of their minds. All the p.from 1034873775 Women were Thats why I fell asleep during the racing at Reading! Speedway Park. chief mechanic on the race car, came to the fence and motioned for me to bring him the 4 1 5 PROMOTING EDUCATION ON THE READING FAIRGROUNDS RACING BY DISPLAYING MEMORABILIA AND PROVIDING A DISCUSSION PLACE WHERE RACE FANS CAN TEACH AND REMINISCE. Since 1911 the covered grandstand saw many generations pass and echoed the names of many champions.