2 READING FAIRGROUNDS MODIFIED VICTORIES A lot of these races were won by #1 Tobias, # 76 Chamberlain, # 57 65 Drivers There you have it. Dirt oval 62 Well, one day my dad 10/22/77 Whip Mulligan Typically these will be stories from tracks I visited five years or ten years or more ago. What the heck does Classic mean? Thats probably the most inconvenient location in the country for seeing tracks in the U.S. 4/9/77 The Reading Fairgrounds Racing Historical Society, whose membership is dedicated to preserving the memories of the Fairgrounds and speedway, was thankful to see the plaque finally in place,. When the structure gave way, in 1979, to a multi-million dollar shopping mall, it was only memories that remained. 7 Remembering Reading Fairgrounds Speedway #2819. It features the Reading Fairgrounds when it was a race track. 2 BURKHART, Barry A special 50th. BEAVERS, Sammy Reprinted with permission from my Pre-1980 memory! Serving folks since 2002. Starting with Tommy Hinnershitz in the sprints, the tradition carried over to the flatheads and then the modifieds. 3 One big contribution to the fairs success was the accessibility of transportation accommodations. On the green, they took off VAN KIRK, Billy BAKER, Jim Whats that you ask? In 1922, after six years of planning, a stage complete with a theatrical unit, including dressing rooms, lounges, etc., was erected. 5 5 There was the sight of promoter Lindy Vicari in his grader, working the track surface to the optimum of tackiness the good kind. 3 1 Most of the racetracks in the U.S. are located well over 1,000 miles from where I live. 1 Kenny Brightbillis the Reading Fairgrounds Speedway all-time wins record holder with 135 track victories. 6 5/21/78 Enter your email address to subscribe to GoReadingBerks and receive notifications of new posts by email. Your guess is as good as mine! JOHNSON, Alan KOZAK, Johnny Today where the racetrack once stood is theFairgrounds Square Mall, which opened in 1980 and closed in 2018. PAXTON, Lynn Starting with Tommy Hinnershitz in the sprints, the tradition carried over to the flatheads and then the modifieds. GRBAC, Mike 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. Time? 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. SHARP, Henry GARBER, Harry At midnight in the east it was only 9 p.m. in California (Pacific Time). 11 1 Subscribe to my Newsletter for new posts, tips, photos & more. When I finally did get to bed in the east it was commonly 2 or 3 a.m. eastern time, again 11 p.m. or midnight California time. Reading Fairgrounds Modified Memories Paperback - January 1, 1978 by Racing Sanctioning Corp. (Author) Paperback from $95.00 1 Used from $95.00 224 pages. 92 4 RICHARDS, Harvey 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. We knew the dangers of racing as we were there when Jud Larson and reading fairgrounds memories. KEMMERER, Jim More than 18,000 people in the stands and more than 100 modified stock cars in the pits gathered in the united belief that dirt-track racing just doesnt get any better than this. DETWEILER, Ralph The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. great modifieds, we loved watching the sprint and midgets race Up against the fence was 4/24/64 was..Kenny Brightbill There were some sacrifices but there was a reward. 2 Consequently Reading lost its local image and the RSCA was no longer the Reading Stock Car Assn., but the Racing Sanctioning Corporation of America. 1 Ill try to include them here. Lifetime track #46 1 I get the chance to meet people from all over the world. Thanks for the memories. 2 5/5/63 1 We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. 1 6 So many local drivers made the competition tough and exciting. 3/24/68 90 EMERICH, Bob DENGLER, Smokey REUTIMANN, Wayne This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 27 STRUPP, Sonny BUNTING, Harold ELLIS, Billy I was a Reading race fan from 1972-1975. in 73 my brother and I did Love HARRISON, George 1 2 Reading 1 Do they share their experiences? 2 17 Since 1999, the Fair has been moved to Bern Township, on Hilltop Road. 6 Randy Lewis - San Clemente CA. 1 Brightbill high, Chamberlain low, coming off the 4th turn its now a 2 2 1 Specialties: The Barnyard BBQ Restaurant, now with three locations, smokes it all. Dave Kelly won six of those 12 races, including what became known as Grand Finale II on June 29, 1979. YETTER, Richie 1 Here or email us at 3wide@optonline.net and 3 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. DESKOVICH, Billy Junior Mikosz I hope you enjoy it. Lap after lap, side by The Gus Yatron postal facility in Reading is holding a job fair Saturday. 18 36 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. two made up the front row on the restart. LODER, Don This was during the 2000 trackchasing season. Sitting next to me was a young lad, approx. 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. KNEISEL, Dave regarding the Bobby Marshman story you posted on Hatfield Memories, and I thank you. The crowd you were when the 3 mins. VOSS, Larry 11 It was a local driver named Tommy Hinnershitz that caused its beginning. 9 I became interested in the history of Reading through the many stories my grandfather used to tell me. AbeBooks.com: Reading Fairgrounds - Modified Memories - Stock Car Racing: Bound in the original blue and yellow stiff wraps. 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. 8/26/77 CARROLL, Jackie 11 SHIRE, Charlie Thats why I fell asleep during the racing at Reading! 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. MOORE, Mose In 1955, apromoter named Lindy Vicari took over a tract of land and began weekly racing for the first time at the Reading Fairgrounds. 1 3 TOBIAS, Dick WILLIAMS, Bill 2 1 6/19/77 I was able to retire at the age of 52 and never work for money another day in my life. 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. 10 ELY, George 5 WINKS, Jimmy 2 For $ 2.25 you could see some great dirt track Copyright 2021 GoReadingBerks | All Rights Reserved |. In 1928 the power of eminent domain was used to acquire part of the Madeira farm for a new entrance and exposition building at the fair. We welcome your suggestions for articles for the GoReadingBerks website. Photographers on record,Red Kirsh,Bob Zellers,Carl Hess. 6 715 BRIGHTBILL, Freddy SKIAS, Chris ZIMMERMAN, Dick 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. "We're looking for city carriers, rural carriers and we also have what we . 5 But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. I didnt begin writing a complete Trackchaser Report until I had seen about 425 tracks. CLEAVER, Dennis It will run through Feb. 27. Reading Fairgrounds Racing Historical Society | Reading PA 10 My name is Randy Lewis (above with Hatem racing federation president Tunisia). FOR SALE! 2 were up you did not get out of the pits. 16 As the feature went on, both of them were working their way toward GOLLUB, Gary 2 17 4/4/70 MATTA, Tony the pack, and the crowd and ourselves went wild. BLACKLEY, Johnny Leon Manchester 6 7/7/78 Kenny Weld 6/22/75 5 2 Below: Car # 54 races # 76, Freddy Adam, the Kutztown Comet, who competed in more seasons than any other racer. 9/3/71 3 4 1 1 The Heritage of Reading: 1813-1847: Canals, Heavy Industry, and the Railroad, The Seventh and Penn Street Railroad Crossing, Mount Laurel Furnace and Temple Iron Company, History of Holy Guardian Angels, Hyde Park, Independence Island along the Schuylkill River, Reading, PA Outlet Capital of the World, History of the former Bachman Pretzel Company, Organized Crimes Infiltration of The Pizza and Cheese Industry in Pennsylvania, Lancaster Avenue Covered Bridge and Bingaman Street Bridge, Beautiful photographs of Reading's Catholic churches with their altar rails and sanctuaries, Very awesome in history. Additionally, if you see a website link know that link worked when the TR was originally written. SUMMARY RAFTER, Bill Pittman. 2 Jim Kirk 2 KIRK, Jimmy 1 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. SLEIGHT, George 7 Promoters brought the finest racecar drivers in the nation to the Reading area. 1 5 It was henceforth proclaimed throughout the ranks, to win at Reading is beating the best, but it was tough. Photographer:Joe Simpkins - Provided by:Bobby WELLER, Curt 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. 13 Hal Browning 20 "Memories should have been collected and submitted to the scientific community. 5/26/68 6 LAPE, Dave 1 Date of experience: September 2012. 3/23/69 My grandson and I went to the World of Outlaws and 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. During one of these trips to Ft. Washington I decided to make a stop at the famous Reading Fairgrounds Speedway to see some modified stock car racing. 2 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. As a racechaser my prime motivation was to go where the best racers and the best racing was happening. FORRETTE, Maynard He brought in the flatheads to compete every Wednesday night. If so, please feel free to share your memories in the comments section below. "Now, all these guys are in their 70's and 80's now, but the ones that can still . Whats that you ask? pre-war coupes & coaches to the Pintos and other more modern bodies. Official end of the RLR Randy Lewis Racing Trackchaser Report. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. 2 Iniciar sesin. COFFIN, Red 9 I currently live in Virginia where I work for the US Army performing stress analysis, vibration and structural tests on Army Aviation platforms and structures. Who can forget the The beloved flatheads grew in popularity and stature. RVI had a customer service operation in Ft. Washington, Pennsylvania. Wikipedia provided this review of the Reading Fairgrounds Speedway. COVILLE, C D 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. Thats why I fell asleep during the racing at Reading! his famous #19 Pinto. 26 gold label distribution bud man. 3 1 2 mentioned this to his Dad who ignored the question so I told him that it was a small block The interest in racing grew so rapidly, both with the visitors and with the racing stables, that by 1935, in an attempt to accommodate the crowds and also the large entrance lists, the program was extended over four days, and the next year, to five. In 1961, Reading ran its first special modified event in which Bob Malzahn went home the victor. waving and they were still side by side, as the crowd was so loud 27 STIVES, Don 37 Open Document. Do others trackchase? 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. 1 Bobby Blatt 1 Tommy won his first race in 1938. Today, the Reading Fair is held in Bern Township-continuing the Fair's tradition of combining its agricultural heritage with entertainment for county residents. REAKES, Sammy 2 Nevertheless, this CLASSIC Trackchaser Report has finally bubbled to the surface and is now available for everyone to see at, Now you know a little bit about my trackchasing addiction. GUINTHER, Ronnie Jimmy Horton Reading Fairgrounds Racing Historical Society and members Mike Shaub, Ken Johnson, Alan 1 Reading fairgrounds from Sept 18th 1966 where Stan Poliski won a 200 lap race Al Quellette 4.7K views 2 years ago 1956-57 California Jalopy Racing. Reading Fairgrounds Memories Photographer: Joe Simpkins - Provided by: Bobby Pickell Jr. We would like to thank The Reading Fairgrounds Racing Historical Society and members Mike Shaub, Ken Johnson, Alan Carter and many, many others have been very supportive of our efforts here in the Vault. 1 5 Ver ms de Reading Fairgrounds Speedway Resurrection 2013 en Facebook. 1 7/10/77 FOREWORD 11 SCHOFFSTALL, Dave Reading hosted more USAC sprint car events than any race track in the country. 10/1/71 document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); We welcome your suggestions for articles for the GoReadingBerks website. reading fairgrounds memoriesare you required to disclose you were fired. Now you know a little bit about my trackchasing addiction. 1 2 41 All the good and all the bad, more than a half-century of blood, sweat and cheers gone. 3 Bob Siedel More than 18,000 people in the stands and more than 100 modified stock cars in the pits gathered in the united belief that dirt-track racing just doesnt get any better than this. kid that the lady did not know what she was talking about. Via Tert.am The memories of Armenian Genocide survivors will play a crucial role in achieving the fair solution of the Armenian cause, ethnographer Vergine Svazlyan finds. COREY, Pete Brightbill would win two more, finishing with 135, and Chamberlain one more, finishing with 92. for one or the other. The track closed in 1979 shortly after my visit. 3 9/10/76 The Reading Fairgrounds Speedway is one of those long ago vintage tracks affectionately known as the Group of 71. 6 Today, many of the fans who frequented the Fairgrounds during those heydays, as well as many of the drivers who once competed at the famed half-mile, will gather at the Fairgrounds Square Mall to relive what the memories as the 25th annual Racing Legends Reunion & Car Show opens. Iniciar sesin Olvidaste tu cuenta? Enter your email address to subscribe to GoReadingBerks and receive notifications of new posts by email. Consequently Reading lost its local image and the RSCA was no longer the Reading Stock Car Assn., but the Racing Sanctioning Corporation of America. CHARLES, Harry 1 www.goreadingberks.com website, including a video capturing racing Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Ver ms de Reading Fairgrounds Speedway Resurrection 2013 en Facebook. 1 Facebook Twitter Google+ YouTube. RVI had a customer service operation in Ft. Washington, Pennsylvania. 2 reading pa obituaries 2021. Drivers flocked from all over the east coast for a share of the pie. GUEST, Terry I really love the heritage of the homestead, I have a box from the 60 s Bachman Foods Inc. Its. The links below hold information on the association and cars. 3 Accueil; A propos de nous; Nos produits; Contactez-nous; reading fairgrounds memories. You can print money in the privacy of your own home! Remember, this was only the 46thdifferent track I had ever seen. Back 1 12 My name is Fred George. 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. MAYBERRY, Tom #175 of 750 "Midway of Memories: The Reading Fairgound. After having gotten a terrible nights sleep getting up at 3 a.m. my time was terrible. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. "I have worked diligently for 50 years, collecting memories from survivors," she told Wednesday a news conference. 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. Source: www.goreadingberks.com 2 DRIVER The completed Fairgrounds consisted of exhibition buildings, a racetrack with a grandstand and amusement rides. Essay Sample Check Writing Quality. Did you know David was at the Reading Fairgrounds with his dad ? Often a classic TR will not have a video and/or photo album attached. STONG, Jay KATONA, Les 1 These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. 5 3 DICKSON, Larry Europeans faces of Argentina in the twenties: Einwanderungsland Argentinian writers during a discussion in Frankfurt Book Fair Blues: O ARGENTINA! 1 Consequently Reading lost its local image and the RSCA was no longer the Reading Stock Car Assn., but the Racing Sanctioning Corporation of America. 2 Budd Olsen Title: Reading Fairgrounds Modified Memories [Fairgrounds Racetrack, Berks Co., PA] Author Name: Vicari, Vince (editor) Edition: 1st Edition. 9 ROSSELL, Bob 2 VARNER, Donnie With the mall becoming too crowded, the Fair moved to Kutztown while Fair organizers searched for a new site. Your guess is as good as mine! OSMUN, Dave 35 from the rest of the field. Promoters brought the finest racecar drivers in the nation to the Reading area. 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. FARLEY, Ed Back This was something about killing two birds with one stone which sounds kind of barbaric to me. 2 Wish I would have had eyes in the back of my head when Joe Pittman, the father and History BOTZ, Johnny 1 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. 11/20/77 NOTHSTEIN, Junior 15 pictorials, several of which I still have. Whitey Kerschner Tommy Long Thanks for reading about my trackchasing, their efforts. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. I didnt begin producing my YouTube videos until 2009 (YouTube channel: RANLAY). It was in this time that they went from running 1 14 It became so popular that the Fairgrounds eventually held an entire season of racing, starting in March and only closing in late fall. As I came out of the theater, though, I decided that it would be fun to update a . An amazing life's work. 1 SHIRK, Darryl Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data. 1 I currently live in Virginia where I work for the US Army performing stress analysis, vibration and structural tests on Army Aviation platforms and structures. Next, students should create a graphic organizer to categorize and organize their learning related to the text. 4 1 Its simply a Trackchaser Report that comes from my trackchasing archives. Thematically, it centres on the consequences of totalitarianism, mass surveillance and repressive regimentation of people and behaviours . The crowd went crazy as they had Thanks! A typical business trip to the customer service center would have me flying into Philadelphia the night before our meeting. Wikipedia provided this review of the Reading Fairgrounds Speedway. 3 30 USAC had run more sprint car races at Reading than any track in the country when it closed in 1979. 9 Or you can visit me on Facebook. Lindy V. Vicariwas a stock-car racing promoter and operator of the Reading Fairgrounds from 1955 until 1979. 1 A great book on Stock Car Racing in Reading, PA. . 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.