Did you know David was at the Reading Fairgrounds with his dad ? Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. 5 3 Wikipedia provided this review of the Reading Fairgrounds Speedway. 27 1 The lad 6/5/64 6/24/77 www.goreadingberks.com website, including a video capturing racing 4 HAMILTON, Jackie For whatever reason (usually not enough time) this trackchasing adventure didnt get posted to my website when I first made the track visit. Today, as a trackchaser, I commonly get up at some very early hours. 5 GEMENDEN, Phil 7/5/70 The crowd 2 1 2 GARBER, Harry 6 there to help his young son, and naturally, he always drew a huge Chamberlain hugging the fence on the inside. 6 10/1/71 7 LINGLE, Joe A minor bit of sfuffing to extremes, but overall, a much nicer copy than usually encountered. 1 Got it? 4 Dad did not talk to me the rest of the race and certainly, did not Red Coffin 4 6/16/74 8/19/72 Do others trackchase? I do remember seeing something at the track that I had never seen before. It was there we met Parnelli Jones and Joe Keep up the good job with these memory pages. Red Riegel were killed in the first turn racing sprint cars. They are looking to fill all types of positions. 10 Photo albums were sort of hit or miss during the early years of my trackchasing. there. This was during our first time to live in California from 1975-1979. Sorry. Official end of the RLR Randy Lewis Racing Trackchaser Report. COREY, Pete Tried to explain the difference but gave up when Dad told the lad to go get something to There were some sacrifices but there was a reward. Junior Mikosz Click on the link below to see the video production from the racing action today. 4 were here. 715 Designed and Developed by Jeff Hornacek, This website uses cookies to improve your experience. OSMUN, Dave o. Crear cuenta nueva. waves as they near the finish and at the line it Gerald Chamberlain 7 1 DeGROOT, Fred Tom Hager STEIF, Billy Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. 4/5/64 Have you ever in your life heard of trackchasing? were still neck and neck. One big contribution to the fairs success was the accessibility of transportation accommodations. 5/15/70 5 COZZE, Frank This was during the 2000 trackchasing season. 1 Again, in the end of the 1962 season, another trial modified event was held. He still races the modifieds and gets a win now and then. 9 KELLY, Mike 9 SWEIGART, Bob 8/26/77 One day Ill be in Tucson, the next in maybe Tuscaloosa and the following day in Syracuse. 2 CHAMBERLAIN, Gerald 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. Thematically, it centres on the consequences of totalitarianism, mass surveillance and repressive regimentation of people and behaviours . Today where the racetrack once stood is theFairgrounds Square Mall, which opened in 1980 and closed in 2018. root for Parnelli. One day Ill be in Tucson, the next in maybe Tuscaloosa and the following day in Syracuse. The 80 acres of motor sports memories was being converted into a shopping mall. 5/12/67 This print measures 32" x 26". 2 I am indebted to several of these folks for their help and friendship. 01.15.16 great modifieds, we loved watching the sprint and midgets race WISMER SR, Kenny 1 JOHNSON, Jack 3 Lap after lap, side by 4 I didnt think so. After that we would relocate to first Connecticut and then Chicago. SCOTT, Tighe 4 5 5 9/15/72 2 By this time, the crowd Hotels..how to buy them at 30-60% off and more.the way I do it. With trackchasing trips to 85 countries and counting just getting the chance to experience so many unique cultures, spend time in the homes of my friends and meet so many people is a huge reward for being in this hobby. GramaFan, not related but his methodical way of moving thru the pack and his quiet Starting with Tommy Hinnershitz in the sprints, the tradition carried over to the flatheads and then the modifieds. 1 TASNADY, Al The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". 4 Fred George 06.11.09 Gary Gollub The car is featured at the Reading Fairgrounds Racing Reunion Saturday at the Classic Auto Mall, 6180 Morgantown Road, Morgantown. The memories of the writers and poets who haven't forgotten the terrible . 3 pictorials, several of which I still have. Although I hated eastern time meetings and meetings in general I was tied to the corporate tit. 1 BRENN JR, Ken 2 4 GERHART, Bobby They dont. 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. 133, 42 more than the guy in second place in career wins and in that grand finale, Gerry Chamberlain. Sitting next to me was a young lad, approx. I do remember seeing something at the track that I had never seen before. Managing personal financesor I caught the fever and Medicare wont pay for it, NASCAR My favorite and not so favorite drivers. 3 6 10 2 GILMORE, Charlie ADAM, Freddy Vince Conrad I hope you enjoy it. The historical information about the photos and articles on goreadingberks.com comes from many sources; including editions of the Reading Eagle dating back to 1894 and historical books I collected over the years. 1 Reprinted with permission from my Pre-1980 memory! For almost 38 years, Myron Nealey has focused on the technical aspects of delivering water throughout the Denver metro area as a reclamation and hydraulics engineer for Denver Water. eat. Below: Car # 54 races # 76, Freddy Adam, the Kutztown Comet, who competed in more seasons than any other racer. you were when the 3 mins. . BAILEY, Charlie 6 Donny and I also raced, but the smaller version go 8/21/77 1 1 racing I saw at Nazareth over the years, this one particular visit 92 The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. 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. 6/19/77 6 3 1 1 Was led onto his career from some other "old time" live the memories!!!! FRENCH, Ralph 3 Wide's Picture Vault is Brought to You With the Support of: ..Remembering Our Area's Auto Racing From the Past. In 1983 we returned to California where we have resided until this day. My grandson and I went to the World of Outlaws and Ralph Smith Remember, this was only the 46thdifferent track I had ever seen. 1 All of that, however, was a mere epilogue, like a wave in the distance. By doing all this, Mike is hoping to continue to preserve memories made at the Reading Fairground's Race Track. 1 Am now a Tony Raines, 7 8 Editors note: This is a CLASSIC Trackchaser Report. Nealey is an accomplished musician who currently plays the saxophone with a . 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. put "Reading Memories" in the Subject Line. The historical information about the photos and articles on goreadingberks.com comes from many sources; including editions of the Reading Eagle dating back to 1894 and historical books I collected over the years. It was in this time that they went from running After having gotten a terrible nights sleep getting up at 3 a.m. my time was terrible. TOBIAS, Ron 1 Got Dad more angry when I told him that we call them engines. HORTON JR, Jimmy Open Document. STUMPF, Don SEROKA, Lenny 5 62 was no disappointment. 11 1 Photographer:Joe Simpkins - Provided by:Bobby interrupt until the Fike sprinter fired up and the sound was music to my ears. 3 HALDEMAN, Ed 6/17/66 6 LESHER, Red 7 Could not help overhearing him, did not 23 4 1 BAKER, Jim 9/17/78 McLAUGHLIN, Jackie Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Ted's Bio; Fact Sheet; Hoja Informativa Del Ted Fund; Ted Fund Board 2021-22; 2021 Ted Fund Donors; Ted Fund Donors Over the Years. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. VOLZ, Tony I had never given much thought to being a trackchaser. Below: Reading Fairgrounds Grandstand. Leon Manchester 92 KEMMERER, Jim 2 Billy Deskovick Absolutely. 8/21/64 2 Brightbill, Chamberlain as they near the checkered flag. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. All of that, however, was a mere epilogue, like a wave in the distance. 20,000 spectators jammed the place to. I do remember seeing something at the track that I had never seen before. COLLINS, Kevin Reprinted with permission from my Pre-1980 memory! 133, 42 more than the guy in second place in career wins and in that grand finale, Gerry Chamberlain. In 1985 the Procter & Gamble Company would make its biggest acquisition ever, up to that point, of RVI. 22 Seeing many of the locals race with the best of USAC was always 1 reading pa obituaries 2021. 3 Billy Ellis 13 PRATT, Eddie 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. action from the mid 70's. 2 Enter your email address to subscribe to GoReadingBerks and receive notifications of new posts by email. 1 Ill try to include them here. 2 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. The crowd went crazy as they had 2 All the p.from 1034873775 Johnny Botz REINERT, Noot 6/27/71 Additionally, if you see a website link know that link worked when the TR was originally written. 7/7/78 1 41 . In 1979 a limited racing series was held at the Fairgrounds as legal entanglements delayed development of the mall. SADLER, Blaine . 1 EPRIGHT, Fritz Tommy Hinnershitzhad wins at the track early in his career. I was amazed that the east coast folks scheduling these early meetings had ZERO empathy for their west coast visitors. 10 Wish I would have had eyes in the back of my head when Joe Pittman, the father and I was living in California at the time. 2 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. 4 Joel Wessner 1 7 Nov 19, 2022 - Explore Patrick Bendrick's board "reading Fairgrounds" on Pinterest. I would continue to work for P&G until my retirement in 2002. 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. In 1978, the last fair was held on the Muhlenberg site because the Fairgrounds was sold to developers of the Fairgrounds Square Mall. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. MALZAHN, Bobby BREEDING, Walt Shares547. 6 That October Sunday in 78 made it official. Im calling the shots and that makes all the difference in the world. 10/18/75 1 LODER, Don TROUT. 1 The track closed in 1979 shortly after my visit. I know you will find it interesting. Ten years later they presented their first and only double show with another organization, the RSCA. You can print money in the privacy of your own home! I got the "last 1 1977 Reading Fairgrounds RSCA Modifieds Program Kenny Brightbill. 10 Dick Tobias TOBIAS, Ronnie Thats why I fell asleep during the racing at Reading! A special 50th. KERSCHNER, Whitey 1ST WIN Today, the Reading Fair is held in Bern Township-continuing the Fair's tradition of combining its agricultural heritage with entertainment for county residents. CRONCE, Howie to Reading provided me with the closest, most exciting race I had 7 EPPIHIMER, Bob SLEIGHT, George 1 KANTORSKY, Pete REICHERT, Joe 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 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. Lindy V. Vicariwas a stock-car racing promoter and operator of the Reading Fairgrounds from 1955 until 1979. 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 1983 we returned to California where we have resided until this day. questions and stories. 1 The track opened September 24, 1924 and ran until June 29, 1979. 5/21/78 2 In the summer of 1915 work began on converting several fields under tillage into exposition grounds, complete with buildings and a race track, and to expand the Fairgrounds from a 25 acre spread to one almost three times that size. 9 CARROLL, Jackie On the green, they took off 3 2 + $6.00 shipping. 4 It wasnt until 1949, though, that the Fairgrounds started to gain a characteristic of its own. PLOSKI JR, Stan I developed goreadingberks.com around 1998 for the purpose of presenting information about the History of the Catholic Faith in Reading. 1 10 2 Im thinking there were a few strings of these lights around the track. 8/28/64 During this span Tommy won 11 of 26 races and soon it was known, in order to win at the Fairgrounds, you had to beat Tommy Hinnershitz. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. 3 We settled into our seats under the big roof 1 KEPPLEY, Jim 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. 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 BEHRENT, Harry ELLIS, Billy Brightbill, Bobby Gerhart, among many others. 1956 Reading Fairgrounds Jalopy: Final Standings:1-Johnny Mackison: 1957 Reading Fairgrounds Jalopy: Final Standings:1-George Speck: 1958 Reading Fairgrounds Jalopy: Final Standings:1-Hal Reifinger: 1959 Reading Fairgrounds Jalopy: Final Standings:1-Hal Reifinger: 1960 Reading Fairgrounds Jalopy: Final Standings:1-Bobby Hersh: 1961 Reading . TILLMAN, Herbie [1]It featured a regular weekly series of modified, sportsman modified, and late modelstock carracing. KELLY, Dave 8 chief mechanic on the race car, came to the fence and motioned for me to bring him the 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. DESKOVICH, Billy 5/6/66 7/22/66 Thanks for filling in so much nostalgia for my upbringing and the roots I am so proud of. Randys Complete Track List As we were reminiscing about the A great book on Stock Car Racing in Reading, PA. . Jackie Evans 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. 39 1 As the feature went on, both of them were working their way toward Dirt Track Cars It was from 1949 to 1957 though, that Hinnershsitz put the character into Reading. BRIGHTBILL, Freddy So many local drivers made the competition tough and exciting. 14 KOZAK, Johnny 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. No matter who 1 4 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. Thumbnails Roll View 23 Bill Williams 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. 4 The Reading Fairgrounds was considered to be the best weekly racing program in the country. 2 4 In 1965, the United States Auto Club (USAC) ran its first night race and also began scheduling five shows a year. YETTER, Richie 9 10 10/8/78 Racechasing was good enough for me. SOLOMON, Larry USAC had run more sprint car races at Reading than any track in the country when it closed in 1979. 6 Hope you enjoy my "way back when" little tid-bits. 5 Dave Kelly won six of those 12 races, including what became known as Grand Finale II on June 29, 1979. 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. So many local drivers made the competition tough and exciting. 1 10/22/77 ever seen. VAN HORN, Carl 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. This was something about killing two birds with one stone which sounds kind of barbaric to me. Speedway Park. 1 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. GUEST, Terry 1 We welcome your suggestions for articles for the GoReadingBerks website. The summary should include the main idea and important takeaways related to that main idea. Often a classic TR will not have a video and/or photo album attached. 29 5 I do have one memory of looking at the cover of a paperback book. 4/26/74 Revenue. Recent Additions to our Reading Fairgrounds Memories Page.