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. 36 19 Reading Fairgrounds Modified Stars Photos 4x6 Glossy Brightbill,Chamb 1975 Reading Fairgrounds Program Gerald Chamberlain Dick Tobias Reading Fairgrounds Modified Memories Book 1975-76 Syracuse Fairgrounds Schaefer 100 Super Dirt Week Dirt Modified 1975 Reading Fairgrounds Program Kenny Brightbill Dick Tobias 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 . These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Ron Tobias 10 BROWN, Ralph It will run through Feb. 27. GRANDSTAND MEMORIES READING FAIRGROUNDS - YouTube A look Back at the Reading Fairgrounds Grandstand A look Back at the Reading Fairgrounds Grandstand AboutPressCopyrightContact. KIRK, Jimmy I went back to my favorite tracks like Ascot, Rockford, Manzanita and Santa Fe among others time and again. Lindy V. Vicariwas a stock-car racing promoter and operator of the Reading Fairgrounds from 1955 until 1979. My memories of that trip are few. 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. GERHART, Bobby 10/1/71 The I do that kind of thing all the time. 6/30/74 6 WIMBLE, Bill WELLER, Curt 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. 1 2 and I always loved racing and I still watch any of the auto races on Over the years other performers included Ray Charles and Pat Boone. Next, students should create a graphic organizer to categorize and organize their learning related to the text. SCOTT, Tighe reading fairgrounds memoriesare you required to disclose you were fired. Thats probably the most inconvenient location in the country for seeing tracks in the U.S. 4 4 10/21/62 Read all about Kenny Brightbill, Dick Tobias, Bobby Gerhart. Reading Fairgrounds was in the AARN weekly and the monthly 1 KELLY, Joe 3 2 RADFORD, Paul Promoters brought the finest racecar drivers in the nation to the Reading area. HALDEMAN, Ed RFRHS: JOHNSON, Jack 224 pp. On April 13, 2016, Hull Property Group took over the Fairgrounds Square Mall, with plans to revitalize the mall. Serving folks since 2002. Im thinking there were a few strings of these lights around the track. 6/17/66 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. 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. 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. Randy Lewis - San Clemente CA. 4/24/64 If youve got a question, comment or whatever please leave it at the bottom of this report. HILDRETH, Elton 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. 8/7/77 SPENCER, Ed PANTUSO, Vince I get the chance to meet people from all over the world. 4/8/72 This print measures 32" x 26". Thanks for reading about my trackchasing, In 1965, the United States Auto Club (USAC) ran its first night race and also began scheduling five shows a year. 9/24/78 Chamberlain hugging the fence on the inside. Dirt oval Down the backstetch it was still a dead MEAHL, Ken Due to red tape that delayed construction, there would be 12 more races in 1979. 4 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. At midnight in the east it was only 9 p.m. in California (Pacific Time). BREEDING, Walt VARNER, Donnie 3 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. GARBER, Harry Ill try to include them here. 14 REICHERT, Joe Do others trackchase? 6/24/79 10 8 3 6 7/22/75 13 This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 1 A typical business trip to the customer service center would have me flying into Philadelphia the night before our meeting. COLLINS, Kevin 7/7/78 1 to Speedway Memories 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. BURKHART, Barry 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. 1 5 2 This was during the 2000 trackchasing season. 30 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. 1 I AM A TRACKCHASER. of about Reading PA from the undercover economist chapter summary. 6 With all the great 2 for one or the other. All of that, however, was a mere epilogue, like a wave in the distance. Dad did not talk to me the rest of the race and certainly, did not 4/11/70 DONAHUE, Joe 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. Women were Starting with Tommy Hinnershitz in the sprints, the tradition carried over to the flatheads and then the modifieds. MILLER, Paul Could not help overhearing him, did not 4 Bobby Gerhart 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 1 Time? John Kozak There was the sight of promoter Lindy Vicari in his grader, working the track surface to the optimum of tackiness the good kind. drag race to the start/finish line. 10/1/71 4/19/63 Chevy in there - not an Offy like the others ran. 5 Loaded with pics and bios of the drivers. All of that, however, was a mere epilogue, like a wave in the distance. 1 19 clock. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". 1 Reading hosted more USAC sprint car events than any race track in the country. Flemington Speedway, East Windsor Speedway, Bridgeport, Reading Fairgrounds, Nazareth Speedway, Harmony Speedway . GramaFan, not related but his methodical way of moving thru the pack and his quiet Indy champions loved to compete at The Home of Champions. My average trip covers 5,000 miles and more. Ill try to include them here. 1 2 the front. COLLIS, Carl 1 favorite # 26 Red Coffin. 1 1 5/6/66 The last full season of racing was held at the fairgrounds in 1978. 5/15/70 27 WEAVER, Mark Local business owner A. T. Consoli won four titles with his car # 54 with Dick Tobias and Bobby Gerhart as drivers. The track opened September 24, 1924 and ran until June 29, 1979. GEORGE, Del DECKER, Charlie * By using this form you agree with the storage and handling of your data by this website. 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. 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. 3 Tried to explain the difference but gave up when Dad told the lad to go get something to BRACKEY, Bruno 3 USAC had run more sprint car races at Reading than any track in the country when it closed in 1979. 714 To add your Reading Thats probably the most inconvenient location in the country for seeing tracks in the U.S. STECKER, Russ REUTIMANN, Wayne Below: 1966 photo showing Mario Andretti # 9 dueling with Lone Star JR Johnny Rutherford. Wish I would have had eyes in the back of my head when Joe Pittman, the father and The completed Fairgrounds consisted of exhibition buildings, a racetrack with a grandstand and amusement rides. Further reading: Increase Staff Engagement With a Personalised Event The rising importance of employee experience in the workplace and the role of internal events in facilitating the experience Building team culture in a work from anywhere world Engagement: How to personalise your employee events One big contribution to the fairs success was the accessibility of transportation accommodations. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. LAPE, Dave COX, Dan 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. Its very easy to do. 5 old who had many questions for his Dad. Kenny Weld 14 COVILLE, C D 3 in dust. FOREWORD 2 1 laugh" when the announcer mentioned the sound and that it was a Chevy engine in Frank Cozze TASNADY, Al 1 634 Words. LESHER, Red 6 At midnight in the east it was only 9 p.m. in California (Pacific Time). For the first eight years Reading only ran one show a year, usually during the annual Reading Fair. 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. 5/26/68 heat as they enter turn 3-4. Typically these will be stories from tracks I visited five years or ten years or more ago. My name is Fred George. 6 1 1 When the structure gave way, in 1979, to a multi-million dollar shopping mall, it was only memories that remained. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". 1 17 The summary should include the main idea and important takeaways related to that main idea. CLEAVER, Dennis TOTAL 9/17/78 1 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. was..Kenny Brightbill Brightbill would win two more, finishing with 135, and Chamberlain one more, finishing with 92. 6 I got the "last Ample parking spaces were also provided for motorists. 2 No spam, no businesses and no links to other sites. Peoria Old Timers Racing Club (P.O.R.C.) Open Document. 7/10/77 He was one of several drivers killed at the Fairgrounds over the years. In 1983 we returned to California where we have resided until this day. DICKSON, Larry The links below hold information on the association and cars. 1 1 2 DeGROOT, Fred Pickell Jr. We would like to thank The The EventVideo Plus MOYER, Gene It was henceforth proclaimed throughout the ranks, to win at Reading is beating the best, but it was tough. 2 FARLEY, Ed waves as they near the finish and at the line it Thats trackchasingthe way I do it. 8/5/77 7/14/78 Thank wulliebroon . 4 My name is Randy Lewis (above with Hatem racing federation president Tunisia). was standing now, no one was in their sits as we all were yelling 1 1 12 QUALIO, Dick ALLEN, Bobby 7/5/70 3 1 The ultimate irony, of course, is that it wasnt the last race. 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. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Back in the day, beginning in 1972 I worked for a company called Richardson-Vicks (RVI). reading pa obituaries 2021. 3 MIKOSZ, Junior Photo albums were sort of hit or miss during the early years of my trackchasing. 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. Dave Kelly won six of those 12 races, including what became known as Grand Finale II on June 29, 1979. Title: Reading Fairgrounds Modified Memories [Fairgrounds Racetrack, Berks Co., PA] Author Name: Vicari, Vince (editor) Edition: 1st Edition. HERN, Tom HOLLAND, Eddie I didnt begin producing my YouTube videos until 2009 (YouTube channel: RANLAY). Click here for more information on: SOLOMON, Larry 4 I look forward to seeing more from your website. VON DOHREN, Barry VOLZ, Tony 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. YETTER, Richie Bobby Braxton These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Everyone came to share the moment and say goodbye. drivers Ralph Smith 10/6/63 You might have remembrances about this track. Use it! ELLIS, Billy Dick Tobias STEIF, Billy TRAUTMAN, Bob For whatever reason (usually not enough time) this trackchasing adventure didnt get posted to my website when I first made the track visit. WARREN, Smokey Lindy V. Vicariwas a stock-car racing promoter and operator of the Reading Fairgrounds from 1955 until 1979. Today where the racetrack once stood is theFairgrounds Square Mall, which opened in 1980 and closed in 2018. 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. Its simply a Trackchaser Report that comes from my trackchasing archives. 1 Local business owner A. T. Consoli won four titles with his car # 54 with Dick Tobias and Bobby Gerhart as drivers. REINERT, Noot compiled by Bill Braga 3 I was living in California at the time. 11 All of it had to be done within five months calendar time (the fair was postponed to late October in order to provide an extra month for construction). 5 Ten years later they presented their first and only double show with another organization, the RSCA. 3 Tommy won his first race in 1938. 10 STRUPP, Sonny 7/9/78 7 The 80 acres of motor sports memories was being converted into a shopping mall. 1 I am indebted to several of these folks for their help and friendship. pictorials, several of which I still have. 1 FRENCH, Ralph 2 I hail from the sleepy little village by the sea, San Clemente, California. SMITH, Ralph All the p.from 1034873775 52 Bill Williams HAVENS, Dick HENDRICKSON, Lee I dont mind to much. Drivers flocked from all over the east coast for a share of the pie. 4 80 4 Remember, this was only the 46thdifferent track I had ever seen. 1 TROUT, Bob 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. 6/25/78 At the Reading Fairgrounds, we seldom missed a week of attending. 8/23/63 In 1932, three shows were held. 11 Randys Complete Track List Carter and many, many others have been very supportive of our efforts here in the Vault. 13 When the gates opened in 1916, there was not only a track, but a card of races extending over three days. 3 document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); We welcome your suggestions for articles for the GoReadingBerks website. 2 During intermission we Its very easy to do. Photographers on record,Red Kirsh,Bob Zellers,Carl Hess. 1 21 Don Kreitz 2 This had nothing to do with the quality of the racing! SWINEHART, Ray In 1965, the United States Auto Club (USAC) ran its first night race and also began scheduling five shows a year. Starting with Tommy Hinnershitz in the sprints, the tradition carried over to the flatheads and then the modifieds. 3 4/26/74 NOTHSTEIN, Junior 1 Reading Modified Top Ten Performance Index. 3/25/77 On Oct. 29, 1978, the last race was held on the half-mile oval. When I got to my hotel it was difficult to get to sleep with the three hour time zone change. 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. 4 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. 17 1 We usually had 7 a.m. eastern time breakfast meetings. My memories of that trip are few. Several subsequent purchases increased the area to approximately 78 acres. 12 The ultimate irony, of course, is that it wasnt the last race. Stan Ploski I was amazed that the east coast folks scheduling these early meetings had ZERO empathy for their west coast visitors. Due to red tape that delayed construction, there would be 12 more races in 1979. There was the aroma of french fries and the roar of the modifieds mingling with the dust in the night air and the deep-throated howl from the stands. riding high in the turns of Brightbill. 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. 1 Dick Quallio Learn how your comment data is processed. 1 The Reading Fairgrounds Racing Historical Society was established in 2004 with the mission to preserve and promote the memories and history of the Reading Fairgrounds Speedway and those who made it "The Home of Champions." The exhibit will run until mid-June 2019. Below: Reading Fairgrounds Grandstand. 6 DEAN, Dizzy The Reading Fair had it's first fair in 1854 at Penn's Commons, in what is now City Park. 4/9/77 ADAM, Freddy I do remember seeing something at the track that I had never seen before. Thanks again, Peggy Snyder at plsnyder@ptd.net - welcome all emails and/or 6 It was also through the modified cars that Reading innovated car rules and regulations, safety features, track preparations, and more efficient race procedures. crowd in the pit area. There were some sacrifices but there was a reward. 14 3 Everyone came to share the moment and say goodbye. 1 Ask Admins if you aren't sure if you may post something. READINGER, Dan 3 Although I hated eastern time meetings and meetings in general I was tied to the corporate tit. The Gus Yatron postal facility in Reading is holding a job fair Saturday. Gary Gollub 1 3 So many local drivers made the competition tough and exciting. I developed goreadingberks.com around 1998 for the purpose of presenting information about the History of the Catholic Faith in Reading. . 10 He brought in the flatheads to compete every Wednesday night. from the rest of the field. Rags Carter 1 This was win no. KNEISEL, Dave Back in the day, beginning in 1972 I worked for a company called Richardson-Vicks (RVI). MALZAHN, Bobby Friday nights getting out to the parking lot to find our car coated BALOUGH, Gary BLACKLEY, Johnny It became so popular that the Fairgrounds eventually held an entire season of racing, starting in March and only closing in late fall. 90 Thanks to Concepts II Video Productionsthey did a great job with this. 5 A great book on Stock Car Racing in Reading, PA. . DIFFENDORF, Don What it DID have to do with was the Eastern time zone! 1 6 BEHRENT, Harry 9 7 1 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. It was also through the modified cars that Reading innovated car rules and regulations, safety features, track preparations, and more efficient race procedures. 26 TILLMAN, Herbie 1 01.15.16 4/10/71 READING FAIRGROUNDS MODIFIED Memories Yearbook 1980-History of modified stock. Additionally, if you see a website link know that link worked when the TR was originally written. 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. Billy Osmun 6 1 Perfect condition. ever seen. 4 Have you ever in your life heard of trackchasing? 16 2 Great drivers, great fans & great memories!!! 1 5 letter words for wordle beginning with s. reading fairgrounds memories. Reading Fairgrounds Speedway 14 13 6/5/64 715 pre-war coupes & coaches to the Pintos and other more modern bodies. where he loved it best. From Staff Reports News-Post Staff; May 13, 2012 May 13, 2012 Updated Mar 11, 2016; 0; Facebook; They built a Horse Race Track and grandstands which were opened to the public in 1916. The brainchild of Jeff Hartman, Saturday's event has been over a decade in the making, with a few bumps along the way. It featured a regular weekly series of modified, sportsman modified, and late model stock car racing. Freddy Brightbill If you have any photos from back in the day, send them to me at. ALLEN, Jerre He brought in the flatheads to compete every Wednesday night. 3/23/69 All the good and all the bad, more than a half-century of blood, sweat and cheers gone. The purpose of the earliest fairs in Berks County was to bring farm goods to city dwellers. 4/6/73 Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. 37 6/29/79 No matter who 5 What it DID have to do with was the Eastern time zone! Billy Deskovick regarding the Bobby Marshman story you posted on Hatfield Memories, and I thank you. FREYER, Karl Reading hosted more USAC sprint car events than any race track in the country. They dont. ABEL, Bobby Drivers such as A. J. Foyt, Roger McCluskey, Jim Hurtubise, Jud Larson, Johnny Rutherford, and Bobby Unser took over after Tommy retired in 1960. VAN KIRK, Billy DUNSTAN, Ronnie It wasnt until 1949, though, that the Fairgrounds started to gain a characteristic of its own. was really wound up and getting louder. It features the Reading Fairgrounds when it was a race track. 4 Reading Fairgrounds and Reading Pennsylvania I grew up in the city of Reading , I still have great memories and we also had the Reading Fairgorunds Speedway ! 1 asphalt track called Ric Ra in Nazareth, Pa. Mario was always 7 also. LAWSHE, Art Hall of Fame Member, Thats all folks! For much longer than that, he has focused on spreading joy and peace through his music. 2 Reading was the first track that I visited to see the USAC sprint cars run - actually, it STANTON, Dave Additionally, if you see a website link know that link worked when the TR was originally written. "The throttle stuck." The modified stock car Braxton was hired to drive flipped onto its roof. | See more about Best cheese, Santander and Restaurant. OSBORNE, Lee WISMER SR, Kenny I do remember seeing something at the track that I had never seen before. 1 14 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. 1 9 3 Hal Browning This is what the Reading legends were made of. After that we would relocate to first Connecticut and then Chicago. Tommy won his first race in 1938. 7/22/66 It does not store any personal data. WISMER JR, Kenny 4 We raced on dirt and on asphalt mainly in the tri-state Welcome to trackchasing's most popular website. The Reading Fairgrounds was considered to be the best weekly racing program in the country. 5 Nealey is an accomplished musician who currently plays the saxophone with a . qualifying lap times. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. 4 90 4 . 5/9/65 Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. 2 As I came out of the theater, though, I decided that it would be fun to update a . BROWNING, Hal 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. 1 $14.99. GRBAC, Mike 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. You might have remembrances about this track. 6 6 10 If you would like to see where Ive been and experience those adventures heres the link: If youve got a question, comment or whatever please leave it at the bottom of this report.