HERN, Tom 7 When the structure gave way, in 1979, to a multi-million dollar shopping mall, it was only memories that remained. Copyright 2023 Randy Lewis - All Right Reserved. Your guess is as good as mine! KREITZ JR, Don HIEBER, Gary 2 17 Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 10 What it DID have to do with was the Eastern time zone! laugh" when the announcer mentioned the sound and that it was a Chevy engine in Thanks for the memories. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Red Coffin 92 Ample parking spaces were also provided for motorists. BLUM, Bill Let's stay updated! WISMER SR, Kenny 19 7/7/78 It was there we met Parnelli Jones and Joe 1 715 Official end of the RLR Randy Lewis Racing Trackchaser Report. KEPPLEY, Jim Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. HAMILTON, Jackie Reading Fairgrounds Speedway 1 On Saturday May 21st, 2022, a plaque commemorating the Reading Fairgrounds & Speedway was ceremonially dedicated to the drivers who lost their lives there. Iniciar sesin. It was in this time that they went from running 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. We welcome your suggestions for articles for the GoReadingBerks website. 15 A typical business trip to the customer service center would have me flying into Philadelphia the night before our meeting. Women were 133, 42 more than the guy in second place in career wins and in that grand finale, Gerry Chamberlain. HAGER, Tom Membership is only $15 per year or a life-time membership of $200. BUSS, Del By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Mike Meals 4/30/76 tipton, iowa obituaries. It was the end of an era. Vous tes ici : jacob ramsey siblings; map of california central coast cities; reading fairgrounds memories . KANTORSKY, Pete 2 These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. 1 Perfect condition. BRIGHTBILL, Freddy MILLER, Paul Consequently Reading lost its local image and the RSCA was no longer the Reading Stock Car Assn., but the Racing Sanctioning Corporation of America. 3 12 133, 42 more than the guy in second place in career wins and in that grand finale, Gerry Chamberlain. 3 Eddie Pratt 2 When gasoline took the place of the railroad, the Reading Transit Company brought in fleets of buses from other cities. Below: Reading Fairgrounds Grandstand. FOR SALE! GOLLUB, Gary 13 1 10 The speedway got its nickname long before the stock car champions became stars. MATTA, Tony LONG, Tommy The racetrack was replaced by the Fairgrounds Square Mall, which opened in . 3 + $6.00 shipping. 1 Hall of Fame Member, Thats all folks! 10 5 questions and stories. 7/14/75 1 1 ELLIS, Billy Dick Quallio Gerald Chamberlain COZZE, Frank 3 Facebook Twitter Google+ YouTube. 7 2 9 Harry Moore But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. 1 Back in the day, beginning in 1972 I worked for a company called Richardson-Vicks (RVI). Subscribe to my Newsletter for new posts, tips, photos & more. 8 Tried to explain the difference but gave up when Dad told the lad to go get something to In 1961, Reading ran its first special modified event in which Bob Malzahn went home the victor. WELLER, Curt 3 This was during the 2000 trackchasing season. 1 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. Although I hated eastern time meetings and meetings in general I was tied to the corporate tit. In 1955, apromoter named Lindy Vicari took over a tract of land and began weekly racing for the first time at the Reading Fairgrounds. 5 3 3 BLACKLEY, Johnny Shares547. 10/6/63 3 I was able to retire at the age of 52 and never work for money another day in my life. WOLFORD, Gary 1 I was amazed that the east coast folks scheduling these early meetings had ZERO empathy for their west coast visitors. Shorty Kerschner One big contribution to the fairs success was the accessibility of transportation accommodations. MALZAHN, Bobby http://www.readingfairgroundsracing.com/, Back DONAHUE, Joe ROMER JR, Joe Today, the Reading Fair is held in Bern Township-continuing the Fair's tradition of combining its agricultural heritage with entertainment for county residents. Tommy Long 1 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. I didnt give any thought to recording the dates when I visited those 71 tracks. 11 Dave Kelly won six of those 12 races, including what became known as Grand Finale II on June 29, 1979. 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. WILLIAMS, Bill Red Riegel were killed in the first turn racing sprint cars. 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. 3 Wide's Picture Vault is Brought to You With the Support of: ..Remembering Our Area's Auto Racing From the Past. Great fair memories made every year . SPENCER, Ed Below: 1966 photo showing Mario Andretti # 9 dueling with Lone Star JR Johnny Rutherford. 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. I am indebted to several of these folks for their help and friendship. The last full season of racing was held at the fairgrounds in 1978. 2 Everyone came to share the moment and say goodbye. Laudan Potts 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. 6 Copyright 2021 GoReadingBerks | All Rights Reserved |. 1 Recent Additions to our Reading Fairgrounds Memories Page. 2 Due to red tape that delayed construction, there would be 12 more races in 1979. Brightbill, Chamberlain as they near the checkered flag. I was living in California at the time. SAUDER, Kenny SHEETZ, Tommy 1 2 [1]It featured a regular weekly series of modified, sportsman modified, and late modelstock carracing. Thanks for the memories. 3 DUNSTAN, Ronnie 3 I know you will find it interesting. 1 It wasnt until 1949, though, that the Fairgrounds started to gain a characteristic of its own. 14 COVILLE, C D CAMERON, Alex 1 This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. BOTZ, Johnny http://www.goreadingberks.com/. to Reading provided me with the closest, most exciting race I had After that we would relocate to first Connecticut and then Chicago. 1 Designed and Developed by Jeff Hornacek, This website uses cookies to improve your experience. My memories of that trip are few. TRAUTMAN, Bob CARROLL, Jackie 715 9 waves as they near the finish and at the line it 5/5/63 2014 Reading Fairgrounds Racing Historical Society Elected Officials S sonny fetherman 388 followers More information 246 best images about Reading Fairgrounds and Reading Pennsylvania . Below: 1966 photo showing Mario Andretti # 9 dueling with Lone Star JR Johnny Rutherford. CRONCE, Howie 1 1 When I opened it, it asked me whether I wanted to transfer software from another source, which I did; I transferred everything . 1977 Reading Fairgrounds RSCA Modifieds Program Kenny Brightbill. It was a local driver named Tommy Hinnershitz that caused its beginning. 7 Its simply a Trackchaser Report that comes from my trackchasing archives. FELTY, LeRoy karts. KENNEDY, Beader 2 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. DESKOVICH, Billy This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 1 Reading This was something about killing two birds with one stone which sounds kind of barbaric to me. 4 Reading hosted more USAC sprint car events than any race track in the country. 5 4/26/74 Thank you for reading! 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. With the mall becoming too crowded, the Fair moved to Kutztown while Fair organizers searched for a new site. 6/4/65 2 4 There you have it. READINGER, Dan 20 I hope you enjoy it. racing I saw at Nazareth over the years, this one particular visit 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. 14 It was also through the modified cars that Reading innovated car rules and regulations, safety features, track preparations, and more efficient race procedures. 4/6/73 You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. USAC friends and fellow co-workers there. I hope you enjoy it. 1ST WIN 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. Back in the day, beginning in 1972 I worked for a company called Richardson-Vicks (RVI). Jay Stong 1 6 Thats probably the most inconvenient location in the country for seeing tracks in the U.S. I do that kind of thing all the time. FREYER, Karl Since 1911 the covered grandstand saw many generations pass and echoed the names of many champions. 7/22/77 Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Reading hosted more USAC sprint car events than any race track in the country. LYNCH, Ed drivers LAST WIN document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Im not sure of the year, but the big rivalry on 3 Dave Marburger 2 GUINTHER, Ronnie Brightbill, Chamberlain, 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. "When all four wheels are off the ground and you're upside down, there's not much you can do but . 1 7 1 Pittman. 5/10/70 9 4 Frank Sinatra performed at the Fair in 1950. Golly, did Dad wake up then - told the 22 Click on the link below to see the video production from the racing action today. 2 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. My best guess on the timing would have been 1976-1978. 11 the undercover economist chapter summary. BROMMER, Aaron 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. 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. FRENCH, Ralph 7 10/1/71 The flag Meme Desantis 5/9/65 WIMBLE, Bill 4 RICHARDS, Harvey Souvenir Program of the 175th Anniversary of the Founding of Reading, Pa., And the 150th Anniversary of the Reading Volunteer Fire Department, September 30th to October 6th, 1923. 1 (Satis Shroff, Freiburg) Our brain is like a labyrinth with all those fissures and lobes, and memory was a big theme at the 62nd Book Fair in Frankfurt-upon-the-Main 2010. Jim Kirk 3 Fairgrounds Memories - Click 21 TOBIAS, Ron The track closed in 1979 shortly after my visit. 2 3 KATONA, Les Do others trackchase? If youve got a question, comment or whatever please leave it at the bottom of this report. Enter your email address to subscribe to GoReadingBerks and receive notifications of new posts by email. 1 JOHNSON, Bob front. I AM A TRACKCHASER. 3 racing at the Reading Fairgrounds. Reading racetrack he said he loved the 3 min. 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 GAHAN, Ernie The lad Billy Ellis BAKER, Jim 6 Freddy Brightbill Buzzie now Dave Kelly won six of those 12 races, including what became known as Grand Finale II on June 29, 1979. 3 1 10 7/5/70 In 1985 the Procter & Gamble Company would make its biggest acquisition ever, up to that point, of RVI. Reading Fairgrounds Speedway(19241979) was a one half mile dirt/clay modified race track located inMuhlenburg Township,Berks County,Pennsylvania. Often a classic TR will not have a video and/or photo album attached. 6/30/74 10 The 80 acres of motor sports memories was being converted into a shopping mall. DICKSON, Larry 4 This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. who did we see - Buzzie Reutimann. 1 7 9 I was amazed that the east coast folks scheduling these early meetings had ZERO empathy for their west coast visitors. TOBIAS, Dick 13 SMITH, Russ 5 house for rent waldport oregon; is thanos a villain or anti hero 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. 3 Tommy Hinnershitzhad wins at the track early in his career. 14 One day Ill be in Tucson, the next in maybe Tuscaloosa and the following day in Syracuse. 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. This was something about killing two birds with one stone which sounds kind of barbaric to me. 4 3 9 1 This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. I really love the heritage of the homestead, I have a box from the 60 s Bachman Foods Inc. Its. 2 2 2 1 Thanks to Concepts II Video Productionsthey did a great job with this. ROCHELLE, Paul 27 4 action from the mid 70's. 1 Jim Keppley 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. 6 Drivers such as A. J. Foyt, Roger McCluskey, Jim Hurtubise, Jud Larson, Johnny Rutherford, and Bobby Unser took over after Tommy retired in 1960. HARRISON, George 4/13/73 I am the face behind GoReadingBerks. I was born and raised in Reading, PA. 90 13 It was the memory of it that inspired his Art . This was during our first time to live in California from 1975-1979. 10/8/78 46 1 13 KELLY, Joe I really love the heritage of the homestead, I have a box from the 60 s Bachman Foods Inc. Its. 9 For $ 2.25 you could see some great dirt track 4/3/71 DALLENBACH, Wally Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. 5 If so, please feel free to share your memories in the comments section below. 2 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. Time? In 1947 a building designed for roller skating was added to the facilities. 1 Typically these will be stories from tracks I visited five years or ten years or more ago. 10/22/77 So many local drivers made the competition tough and exciting. 1 Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. 3 STUMPF, Don It does not store any personal data. 7/26/68 4 were here. 11 5 ever seen. COLLINS, Kevin 92 4 5 PAXTON, Lynn FITZCHARLES, Paul Jimmy Horton The ultimate irony, of course, is that it wasnt the last race. BALOGACH, Paul All these photos are my personal collectelion and were taken by The Speedways photographers and bought by myself or taken by myself. Thank wulliebroon . 1 1 Frankie Schneider The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Its very easy to do. DRIVER Editors note: This is a CLASSIC Trackchaser Report. Buenos!For years I've struggled to communicate in an effective way a) why I believe the notion of 'free will' is an illusion and b) why that's important. The Reading Fairgrounds Racing Historical Society has assembled a display that includes vintage and restored cars and memorabilia and will be open throughout the show. 1 2 where he loved it best. 135 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. 54 Thats trackchasingthe way I do it. Well, one day my dad Chevy in there - not an Offy like the others ran.