Here or email us at [email protected] and 8/5/77 In 1985 the Procter & Gamble Company would make its biggest acquisition ever, up to that point, of RVI. The brainchild of Jeff Hartman, Saturday's event has been over a decade in the making, with a few bumps along the way. This was during our first time to live in California from 1975-1979. For whatever reason (usually not enough time) this trackchasing adventure didnt get posted to my website when I first made the track visit. 1 This was win no. 6 8 3 just witnessed what dirt track racing and the Reading Fairgrounds BRAXTON, Bobby 1 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. Speedway Park. KEMMERER, Jim Wish I would have had eyes in the back of my head when Joe Pittman, the father and Pittman. One lap Kenny led, the next Gerald was in TAYLOR, Lee There were some sacrifices but there was a reward. o. Crear cuenta nueva. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". pictorials, several of which I still have. 1 2 3 10/25/75 I now live in Macungie, PA and I dearly miss 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. OCHS, Larry I would continue to work for P&G until my retirement in 2002. 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. 4 1 10/21/62 I had heard tales of the packed houses Reading got, and this night Keep it up! Title: Reading Fairgrounds Modified Memories [Fairgrounds Racetrack, Berks Co., PA] Author Name: Vicari, Vince (editor) Edition: 1st Edition. Seeing many of the locals race with the best of USAC was always KELLY, Dave 4 Back in the day, beginning in 1972 I worked for a company called Richardson-Vicks (RVI). Perfect condition. 5/15/70 to Homepage, More interesting info McLAUGHLIN, Jackie 8 As a fan of the racetrack I now live in Florida and go to Volusia the Vault, and of the Reading Fairgrounds to join their great organization and support Dave Kelly won six of those 12 races, including what became known as Grand Finale II on June 29, 1979. 716 Essay Sample Check Writing Quality. Am now a Tony Raines, 2 4 Consequently Reading lost its local image and the RSCA was no longer the Reading Stock Car Assn., but the Racing Sanctioning Corporation of America. That October Sunday in 78 made it official. After that we would relocate to first Connecticut and then Chicago. 20 If you would like to see where Ive been and experience those adventures heres the link: RFRHS: 3 Use it! HALDEMAN, Ed 9/5/75 Over the years other performers included Ray Charles and Pat Boone. BAKER, Jim Thanks for the memories. HALL, Bob 1 EPPOLITE, Frank old who had many questions for his Dad. I hope you enjoy it. MEAHL, Ken HOLLAND, Eddie Bob Siedel 3 Your guess is as good as mine! LODER, Don GEORGE, Del 1 I am the face behind GoReadingBerks. I was born and raised in Reading, PA. Typically these will be stories from tracks I visited five years or ten years or more ago. 2014 Reading Fairgrounds Racing Historical Society Elected Officials It became so popular that the Fairgrounds eventually held an entire season of racing, starting in March and only closing in late fall. This is what the Reading legends were made of. 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. 7 Fairgrounds Memories - Click 10/1/71 10 GILMORE, Charlie action from the mid 70's: The track opened September 24, 1924 and ran until June 29, 1979. 7/3/77 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. 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. DeGROOT, Fred 3 5 This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. 5 Thats trackchasingthe way I do it. 6 I am a trackchaser. Official end of the RLR Randy Lewis Racing Trackchaser Report. lives in Zephyrhills,Fl and loves to talk about the good old days. 5 2 I was living in California at the time. HAVENS, Dick Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Reading Fairgrounds Racing Historical Society and members Mike Shaub, Ken Johnson, Alan SASSAMAN, Dave 8 But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. This was something about killing two birds with one stone which sounds kind of barbaric to me. 1 This profile needs more info. Eddie Pratt 1 OLSEN, Walt Today, as a trackchaser, I commonly get up at some very early hours. 7/26/68 One story I do remember well, was the fact that I had to sit in the grandstand. 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. GRIFFIN, Bernie 8/9/68 waving and they were still side by side, as the crowd was so loud One day Ill be in Tucson, the next in maybe Tuscaloosa and the following day in Syracuse. website, including a video capturing racing Ten years later they presented their first and only double show with another organization, the RSCA. 2 1 Whats that you ask? 17 and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at AbeBooks.com. Drivers flocked from all over the east coast for a share of the pie. Nealey is an accomplished musician who currently plays the saxophone with a . The Reading Fairgrounds was considered to be the best weekly racing program in the country. 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. 4 DESKOVICH, Billy The Fair included imported amusements of a carnival nature, including rides of various kinds, as well as those especially gifted in or trained for some, extraordinary activity, and animals. 3 In 1961, Reading ran its first special modified event in which Bob Malzahn went home the victor. KELLY, Joe MULLIGAN, Whip PROMOTING EDUCATION ON THE READING FAIRGROUNDS RACING BY DISPLAYING MEMORABILIA AND PROVIDING A DISCUSSION PLACE WHERE RACE FANS CAN TEACH AND REMINISCE. 1 7 chief mechanic on the race car, came to the fence and motioned for me to bring him the 4/9/77 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. Welcome to trackchasing's most popular website. 12 1 4 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. 9 dr patel plastic surgeon oak brook. 19 racing I saw at Nazareth over the years, this one particular visit There was the sight of promoter Lindy Vicari in his grader, working the track surface to the optimum of tackiness the good kind. 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. Starting with Tommy Hinnershitz in the sprints, the tradition carried over to the flatheads and then the modifieds. 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. Bill Williams SCOTT, Tighe VAN KIRK, Billy 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. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. FELTY, LeRoy 1 10 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. 1 3 3 MOORE, Mose Hope you find what you are looking for and discover things that you were not! I live in southern California. Again, in the end of the 1962 season, another trial modified event was held. We lcome To. 90 9 I live in southern California. 2 Down the backstetch it was still a dead 4/10/71 SLADE, Ron Hall of Fame Member, Thats all folks! There you have it. Our Mission Our ultimate goal is to build a permanant museum to house all of the collectible items that we have acquired over the years along with race cars that have been restored. 224 pp. Reading Fairgrounds Speedway, the Home of Champions put "Reading Memories" in the Subject Line. 1 I dont mind to much. 1 9/21/75 7 OSBORNE, Lee Don Kreitz Bobby Gerhart I hope you enjoy it. Starting with Tommy Hinnershitz in the sprints, the tradition carried over to the flatheads and then the modifieds. BEHRENT, Harry 2 Learn how your comment data is processed. 38 Today where the racetrack once stood is theFairgrounds Square Mall, which opened in 1980 and closed in 2018. Who can forget the Ample parking spaces were also provided for motorists. FARLEY, Ed I really love the heritage of the homestead, I have a box from the 60 s Bachman Foods Inc. Its. Mainly during the 1970s, my friend, Donny Fisher (passed away years 3/23/69 Below: The Reading Fair, 1937-1940 Eventually with the changing times, the racing transitioned from horse into motor vehicle racing. WOLFORD, Gary 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. Ask wulliebroon about Altmuehltal-Radweg. 6 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. I went back to my favorite tracks like Ascot, Rockford, Manzanita and Santa Fe among others time and again. gold label distribution bud man. 6 We encourage the fans of The completed Fairgrounds consisted of exhibition buildings, a racetrack with a grandstand and amusement rides. FRENCH, Ralph 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. of about Reading PA from After having gotten a terrible nights sleep getting up at 3 a.m. my time was terrible. The ultimate irony, of course, is that it wasnt the last race. Below: Car # 54 races # 76, Freddy Adam, the Kutztown Comet, who competed in more seasons than any other racer. BUSS, Del HAGER, Tom 1 2 The first auto racing stunts as a part of the Fair were presented in 1924. 5 Hello, from the Reading Stock Car Association we have the ultimate book 115708529208 One day Ill be in Tucson, the next in maybe Tuscaloosa and the following day in Syracuse. FITZCHARLES, Glenn I also remember falling asleep as I watched the racing. All of that, however, was a mere epilogue, like a wave in the distance. 1 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. drag race to the start/finish line. PRATT, Eddie Most of the racetracks in the U.S. are located well over 1,000 miles from where I live. On April 13, 2016, Hull Property Group took over the Fairgrounds Square Mall, with plans to revitalize the mall. REINERT, Noot 8/20/78 The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". We settled into our seats under the big roof S sonny fetherman 388 followers More information 246 best images about Reading Fairgrounds and Reading Pennsylvania . 7/22/75 When I got to my hotel it was difficult to get to sleep with the three hour time zone change. The purpose of the earliest fairs in Berks County was to bring farm goods to city dwellers. 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 BLUM, Bill This group is for sharing memories and photos of the Reading Fairgrounds. I know you will find it interesting. Being a regular at Nazareth Speedway the most exposure I had to the SNELLBAKER, Smokey 1 SMITH, Ralph In 1999 construction began at the present-day Fairgrounds on 60 acres in Bern Township off County Welfare Road. Although I hated eastern time meetings and meetings in general I was tied to the corporate tit. Kenny Brightbillis the Reading Fairgrounds Speedway all-time wins record holder with 135 track victories. Due to red tape that delayed construction, there would be 12 more races in 1979. 13 2 2 715 TROUT, Bob The speedway got its nickname long before the stock car champions became stars. 5 We knew the dangers of racing as we were there when Jud Larson and TOBIAS, Ronnie Did you know David was at the Reading Fairgrounds with his dad ? This print measures 32" x 26". riding high in the turns of Brightbill. 3/25/77 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 do remember seeing something at the track that I had never seen before. Reading Fairgrounds Racing Historical Society | Reading PA Pre-1980. ROHS, Steve Do they share their experiences? by a coat of paint on his bumper. Mike has been involved in the establishment of the Reading Fairgrounds Racing Historical Society, founded on February 4, 2004. CHAMBERLAIN, Gerald 1 27 SHAW, Bob www.goreadingberks.com website, including a video capturing racing 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. In 1947 a building designed for roller skating was added to the facilities. 18 1 1 Although I hated eastern time meetings and meetings in general I was tied to the corporate tit. Lap after lap, side by You want this if you love Racing ! 26 I do have one memory of looking at the cover of a paperback book. Europeans faces of Argentina in the twenties: Einwanderungsland Argentinian writers during a discussion in Frankfurt Book Fair Blues: O ARGENTINA! Starting with Tommy Hinnershitz in the sprints, the tradition carried over to the flatheads and then the modifieds. 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. Donny Photo albums were sort of hit or miss during the early years of my trackchasing. 1 8 Serving folks since 2002. Open Document. 3 5 Brightbill would win two more, finishing with 135, and Chamberlain one more, finishing with 92. BRACKEY, Bruno An amazing life's work. racing. Promoters brought the finest racecar drivers in the nation to the Reading area. 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. "I have worked diligently for 50 years, collecting memories from survivors," she told Wednesday a news conference. The Reading Fair had it's first fair in 1854 at Penn's Commons, in what is now City Park. the tracks that are now gone. From time to time I would visit this office. The caution flew with about 10-11 laps to go, and those YOUNG, Bruce 27 031 60 52 60 [email protected]. He was one of several drivers killed at the Fairgrounds over the years. 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 use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. 7/10/77 27 Ronnie Tobias Since 1999, the Fair has been moved to Bern Township, on Hilltop Road. 133, 42 more than the guy in second place in career wins and in that grand finale, Gerry Chamberlain. 3/31/63 Got Dad more angry when I told him that we call them engines. 3 The track closed in 1979 shortly after my visit. Peggy Snyder 01/31/07 ever seen. 2 11 Kenny Brightbillis the Reading Fairgrounds Speedway all-time wins record holder with 135 track victories. 3 No spam, no businesses and no links to other sites. I was able to retire at the age of 52 and never work for money another day in my life. his famous #19 Pinto. 17 to victory. DRIVER In 1932, three shows were held. WELLER, Curt LAWSHE, Art Editors note: This is a CLASSIC Trackchaser Report. In 1932 a seven-horse pileup killed race jockey Roy McCann of Elizabeth, NJ. "We're looking for city carriers, rural carriers and we also have what we . Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Jimmy Horton KELLY, Mike Or you can visit me on Facebook. 1 1 6 When I got to my hotel it was difficult to get to sleep with the three hour time zone change. 9/7/75 front. 1 Thanks again, Peggy Snyder at [email protected] - welcome all emails and/or If so, please feel free to share your memories in the comments section below. 2 I was amazed that the east coast folks scheduling these early meetings had ZERO empathy for their west coast visitors. 8/6/71 1 SUMMARY document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Whats that you ask? 1 3 Reading Modified Top Ten Performance Index. Ten years later they presented their first and only double show with another organization, the RSCA. 9 Ill try to include them here. Reading Fairgrounds Modified Memories Yearbook Issue: / Year: 1980 Condition: VG-History 313495870366 Vintage Modifieds, Racing Photos, Modified Stock Cars, Open Wheel and more. 5 26 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. The Reading Fairgrounds Speedway is one of those long ago vintage tracks affectionately known as the Group of 71. 4 22 Ron Tobias RVI had a customer service operation in Ft. Washington, Pennsylvania. 2 BREEDING, Walt 1 3 Friday nights getting out to the parking lot to find our car coated 1 2 Jim Baker Kenny Weld CHARLES, Harry This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. CONRAD, Vince It wasnt until 1949, though, that the Fairgrounds started to gain a characteristic of its own. Thanks to Concepts II Video Productionsthey did a great job with this. Will it work now? 4 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. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. 9/3/65 1 In 1985 the Procter & Gamble Company would make its biggest acquisition ever, up to that point, of RVI. 10 They are looking to fill all types of positions. 15 Reading My best guess on the timing would have been 1976-1978. DICKSON, Larry EMERICH, Bob BOTTCHER, Bobby EARNSHAW, Leigh 10 Buzzie now 1 21 11 Shorty Kerschner 3 1 2 WALES, Milford 2 Frank Cozze Have had 2 men email 39 10 1 4 POTTS, Lauden Typically these will be stories from tracks I visited five years or ten years or more ago. Copyright 2021 GoReadingBerks | All Rights Reserved |. 9/3/71 WARREN, Smokey action from the mid 70's. 10/15/67 BRIGHTBILL, Freddy 1 . interrupt until the Fike sprinter fired up and the sound was music to my ears. That car has been restored. 14 LAST WIN Thats what a racechaser does. Whenever I could I would try to time my business visits from all over the country into a racing visit as well.

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