reading fairgrounds memories
CARROLL, Jackie Donny Absolutely. 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. OLSEN, Walt Through turns 1-2 they Below: Car # 54 races # 76, Freddy Adam, the Kutztown Comet, who competed in more seasons than any other racer. 3 FRENCH, Ralph 6/5/64 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. 10/18/75 For the first eight years Reading only ran one show a year, usually during the annual Reading Fair. DeSANTIS, Meme 1 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. The brainchild of Jeff Hartman, Saturday's event has been over a decade in the making, with a few bumps along the way. 1 Ten years later they presented their first and only double show with another organization, the RSCA. 6 4 1 1 Thanks to Concepts II Video Productionsthey did a great job with this. 5 10 I hail from the sleepy little village by the sea, San Clemente, California. TASNADY, Al 1 5/29/70 1 In 1957, when the opportunity presented itself, Vicari moved his program to Fridays and from that day on, Reading was a Friday night raceway. 5 2 Reading Fairgrounds Speedway, the Home of Champions Meme Desantis MARBURGER, Dave KATONA, Les Hundreds of photos of drivers and their car. 9/17/78 6 2 TRAUTMAN, Bob The completed Fairgrounds consisted of exhibition buildings, a racetrack with a grandstand and amusement rides. For much longer than that, he has focused on spreading joy and peace through his music. They dont. The EventVideo Plus This was win no. Im thinking there were a few strings of these lights around the track. 2 I was living in California at the time. MOYER, Gene These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. . 1 6/28/68 From Staff Reports News-Post Staff; May 13, 2012 May 13, 2012 Updated Mar 11, 2016; 0; Facebook; 1 1 Golly, did Dad wake up then - told the Starting with Tommy Hinnershitz in the sprints, the tradition carried over to the flatheads and then the modifieds. The Reading Fairgrounds was considered to be the best weekly racing program in the country. 2 My Reading Fairgrounds Photo Collection from 1968 to 1979!! PROMOTING EDUCATION ON THE READING FAIRGROUNDS RACING BY DISPLAYING MEMORABILIA AND PROVIDING A DISCUSSION PLACE WHERE RACE FANS CAN TEACH AND REMINISCE. DESKOVICH, Billy 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. Although I hated eastern time meetings and meetings in general I was tied to the corporate tit. USAC had run more sprint car races at Reading than any track in the country when it closed in 1979. 18 2 An amazing life's work. 1 Johnny Botz was one of the first races I ever attended. You might have remembrances about this track. 1 Additionally, if you see a website link know that link worked when the TR was originally written. A very difficult to find print. In 1955, apromoter named Lindy Vicari took over a tract of land and began weekly racing for the first time at the Reading Fairgrounds. Thanks to Concepts II Video Productionsthey did a great job with this. 21 I look forward to seeing more from your website. 11 was..Kenny Brightbill I trackchase. ADAM, Freddy MILLER, Paul 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 3 11 This is a professional offset lithograph print that was commissioned many years ago and quickly sold out. 10 Between 1980 and 1994 the Fair was held at the Fairgrounds Square Mall and on the surrounding property. During intermission we Indy champions loved to compete at The Home of Champions. 2 Drivers such as A. J. Foyt, Roger McCluskey, Jim Hurtubise, Jud Larson, Johnny Rutherford, and Bobby Unser took over after Tommy retired in 1960. A minor bit of sfuffing to extremes, but overall, a much nicer copy than usually encountered. 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. Who can forget the 5/5/63 Below: Car # 54 races # 76, Freddy Adam, the Kutztown Comet, who competed in more seasons than any other racer. BUNTING, Harold Drivers flocked from all over the east coast for a share of the pie. 9 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. All of that, however, was a mere epilogue, like a wave in the distance. I dont mind to much. 2 2 side, neither one could get the advantage on the other. Lindy V. Vicariwas a stock-car racing promoter and operator of the Reading Fairgrounds from 1955 until 1979. The lad STUMPF, Don website, including a video capturing racing 3 1 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. Wikipedia provided this review of the Reading Fairgrounds Speedway. KERSCHNER, Whitey tipton, iowa obituaries. 1 Drivers such as A. J. Foyt, Roger McCluskey, Jim Hurtubise, Jud Larson, Johnny Rutherford, and Bobby Unser took over after Tommy retired in 1960. 6/30/74 7/10/77 and I always loved racing and I still watch any of the auto races on The winner of the Grand Finale` - when the Reading Fairgrounds held its final event, in June of 1979, Dave Kelly drove his beautiful Mustang-bodied No. KERSCHNER, Shorty The ultimate irony, of course, is that it wasnt the last race. 1 GUEST, Terry 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. This had nothing to do with the quality of the racing! 4 Bob Pickell I do remember seeing something at the track that I had never seen before. 8/26/77 WEAVER, Mark Today, as a trackchaser, I commonly get up at some very early hours. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. 34 1 These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Bob Malzahn 10 SEROKA, Lenny 3/23/69 13 Facebook Twitter Google+ YouTube. Accept Read More. LONG, Tommy 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. On April 13, 2016, Hull Property Group took over the Fairgrounds Square Mall, with plans to revitalize the mall. 2 6/22/75 1 Dick Tobias I know you will find it interesting. Thanks for the memories. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. 6 16 In 1932 a seven-horse pileup killed race jockey Roy McCann of Elizabeth, NJ. Again, in the end of the 1962 season, another trial modified event was held. Photo albums were sort of hit or miss during the early years of my trackchasing. 1 Wish I would have had eyes in the back of my head when Joe Pittman, the father and Chamberlain hugging the fence on the inside. It was the memory of it that inspired his Art . Brightbill, Chamberlain, frenzy already. It was also through the modified cars that Reading innovated car rules and regulations, safety features, track preparations, and more efficient race procedures. 1 1 11 OPPERMAN, Jan 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. SMITH, Russ 7/14/75 27 1 10 I was able to retire at the age of 52 and never work for money another day in my life. 12 The car is featured at the Reading Fairgrounds Racing Reunion Saturday at the Classic Auto Mall, 6180 Morgantown Road, Morgantown. SOLOMON, Larry 1 COREY, Pete 15 No matter who Subscribe to my Newsletter for new posts, tips, photos & more. If so, please feel free to share your memories in the comments section below. Will Cagle 48 Thats why I fell asleep during the racing at Reading! 715 1 12 5/18/75 14 1 8 In 1932, three shows were held. 3 Racechasing was good enough for me. Over the years other performers included Ray Charles and Pat Boone. Everyone came to share the moment and say goodbye. One day Ill be in Tucson, the next in maybe Tuscaloosa and the following day in Syracuse. 4 20 This was win no. Bill Williams This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. BRIGHTBILL, Freddy SMITH, Ralph The Reading Fairgrounds was considered to be the best weekly racing program in the country. By doing all this, Mike is hoping to continue to preserve memories made at the Reading Fairground's Race Track. The town of Gunzenhausen is nearby and it has numerous shops, cafe's, bars and a semi permanent fun fair. This was during our first time to live in California from 1975-1979. 6 We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. I am a trackchaser. KREITZ SR, Don 22 8 1 1 DRIVER document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); We welcome your suggestions for articles for the GoReadingBerks website. 1 REICHERT, Joe SHARP, Henry Local business owner A. T. Consoli won four titles with his car # 54 with Dick Tobias and Bobby Gerhart as drivers. Am now a Tony Raines, Tom Hager - $156.06. 1 This was during the 2000 trackchasing season. MEAHL, Ken 5/26/68 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. 1 20 Do they share their experiences? 11 9/3/65 Indy champions loved to compete at The Home of Champions. 4/19/63 Photographer:Joe Simpkins - Provided by:Bobby RICHARDS, Harvey DRIVER Iniciar sesin. 3 VARNER, Donnie GRIFFIN, Bernie The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". 3/31/63 It wasn't until 1915 that the Fair was held at it's most remembered location in Muhlenberg Township. to hear from people who remember the "old times". If you want to see the true essence of trackchasing youve come to the right place. compiled by Bill Braga Since 1999, the Fair has been moved to Bern Township, on Hilltop Road. 16 14 1 11 It features the Reading Fairgrounds when it was a race track. TILLEY, Ray 1 PLOSKI JR, Stan Typically these will be stories from tracks I visited five years or ten years or more ago. 3 8/8/71 BUTLER, Gary No spam, no businesses and no links to other sites. Back 1 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. I hail from the sleepy little village by the sea, San Clemente, California. two made up the front row on the restart. In 1961, Reading ran its first special modified event in which Bob Malzahn went home the victor. old who had many questions for his Dad. Peggy Snyder 01/31/07 the Vault, and of the Reading Fairgrounds to join their great organization and support 1 There were some sacrifices but there was a reward. 20 2 riding high in the turns of Brightbill. 3 racing at the Reading Fairgrounds. HULBERT, Mert 1 Thats all folks! 1 These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. 1 21 5/15/70 Kim 1 18 Thats what a racechaser does. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. In 1947 a building designed for roller skating was added to the facilities. REAKES, Sammy Description This video is compiled of segments from Eastern Seedway Classics, Open Cockpit Classics, Stock Car Classics, Sprint & Champ Car Classics, Dirt Track Memories & 70's Review will take you back the 30's with the big cars, AAA & USAC sprint action of the 50's & 60's, finishing up during . It does not store any personal data. Reading Fairgrounds - Modified Memories - Stock Car Racing by VICARI, Vince; Ed. I am indebted to several of these folks for their help and friendship. Figuring out the logistics of a trip like that is as much fun for me as watching a figure 8 race. Jimmy Horton 3 4 6 2 In 1983 we returned to California where we have resided until this day. 2 7 The summary should include the main idea and important takeaways related to that main idea. Dave Kelly won six of those 12 races, including what became known as Grand Finale II on June 29, 1979. 6/29/79 My name is Fred George. 17 I didnt give any thought to recording the dates when I visited those 71 tracks. Consequently Reading lost its local image and the RSCA was no longer the Reading Stock Car Assn., but the Racing Sanctioning Corporation of America. RVI had a customer service operation in Ft. Washington, Pennsylvania. 2 Hello, from the Reading Stock Car Association we have the ultimate book 115708529208 1977 Reading Fairgrounds RSCA Modifieds Program Kenny Brightbill. 3 Local business owner A. T. Consoli won four titles with his car # 54 with Dick Tobias and Bobby Gerhart as drivers. Thank you for reading! Do others trackchase? Eddie Pratt . Reading Fairgrounds Speedway 3 Figuring out the logistics of a trip like that is as much fun for me as watching a figure 8 race. I had never given much thought to being a trackchaser. For $ 2.25 you could see some great dirt track Since that time the site has grown to provide information about historical sites, landmarks, museums, parks, hotels and more. 1 exciting. SWEIGART, Bob He brought in the flatheads to compete every Wednesday night. 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. 5 Vintage Modifieds, Racing Photos, Modified Stock Cars, Open Wheel and more. 6/25/78 Next, students should create a graphic organizer to categorize and organize their learning related to the text. 6 Randys Complete Track List You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. where he loved it best. 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. 2 Tommy won his first race in 1938. PAULSON, Ronnie But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. 8 After that we would relocate to first Connecticut and then Chicago. LAZZARO, Lou Below: The Reading Fair, 1937-1940 Eventually with the changing times, the racing transitioned from horse into motor vehicle racing. SCHOFFSTALL, Dave Movie-1-Chapter-3 Tom Luce 10K views 7. 1 It will run through Feb. 27. Ron Tobias Leon Manchester 133, 42 more than the guy in second place in career wins and in that grand finale, Gerry Chamberlain. 7/9/78 On Oct. 29, 1978, the last race was held on the half-mile oval. 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. SWINEHART, Ray 1 8/6/71 MEALS, Mike In 1999 construction began at the present-day Fairgrounds on 60 acres in Bern Township off County Welfare Road. dr patel plastic surgeon oak brook. Was led onto his career from some other "old time" 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. I get the chance to meet people from all over the world. EVANS, Jackie A great book on Stock Car Racing in Reading, PA. . Thumbnails Roll View Below: Reading Fairgrounds located in Muhlenburg Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania 7 The ultimate irony, of course, is that it wasnt the last race. 3 So imagine being at the 27th Muscat International Book Fair - it is a haven for students. VAN HORN, Carl WISMER JR, Kenny 1 Tommy McAndrews 8/21/77 8/21/64 9/15/72 17 SLEIGHT, George 1 4/11/70 4 HOLLAND, Eddie 1 Thats trackchasingthe way I do it. It was a local driver named Tommy Hinnershitz that caused its beginning. 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. 4 26 McANDREW, Tommy 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. The Reading Fairgrounds Racing Historical Society was created to preserve the. 6 LINGLE, Joe Shares547. 10/22/78 laugh" when the announcer mentioned the sound and that it was a Chevy engine in Or you can visit me on Facebook. 224 pp. 1 Dave Kelly won six of those 12 races, including what became known as Grand Finale II on June 29, 1979. 8 Whenever I could I would try to time my business visits from all over the country into a racing visit as well. 26 7 The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. ever seen. 7 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. 3 Lap after lap, side by 714 13 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. KEMMERER, Jim 14 I went back to my favorite tracks like Ascot, Rockford, Manzanita and Santa Fe among others time and again. "Memories should have been collected and submitted to the scientific community. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. 9 Glenn Fitzcharles I think I may have come up with a meaningful analogy--let me try it out here:I bought a new computer last week. If you want to see the true essence of trackchasing youve come to the right place. 4 9 I am the face behind GoReadingBerks. I was born and raised in Reading, PA. I didnt begin producing my YouTube videos until 2009 (YouTube channel: RANLAY). On Saturday May 21st, 2022, a plaque commemorating the Reading Fairgrounds & Speedway was ceremonially dedicated to the drivers who lost their lives there. The racetrack was replaced by the Fairgrounds Square Mall, which opened in . He still races the modifieds and gets a win now and then. The Reading Fairgrounds Speedway is one of those long ago vintage tracks affectionately known as the Group of 71. Down the backstetch it was still a dead Photo albums were sort of hit or miss during the early years of my trackchasing. 4 the front. 8/30/63 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. 2014 Reading Fairgrounds Racing Historical Society Elected Officials Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. 1 Works Cited. 2 6 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. CAPIE, Tom 7 133, 42 more than the guy in second place in career wins and in that grand finale, Gerry Chamberlain. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Below: Reading Fairgrounds Grandstand. WARREN, Smokey Ask wulliebroon about Altmuehltal-Radweg. BUSS, Del 8 Reading was the first track that I visited to see the USAC sprint cars run - actually, it TROUT. Ver ms de Reading Fairgrounds Speedway Resurrection 2013 en Facebook. 8 Thanks again, Peggy Snyder at plsnyder@ptd.net - welcome all emails and/or 10/15/67 Freddy Brightbill 3 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. 3 8 waving and they were still side by side, as the crowd was so loud HAGER, Tom 1 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. 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. One big contribution to the fairs success was the accessibility of transportation accommodations. 19 TAYLOR, Lee 7/26/68 EPRIGHT, Fritz While Im homesick and now living in California since 1972, a road trip back will be soon in the cards. QUALIO, Dick to Homepage, More interesting info DEAN, Dizzy Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. 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.