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The track closed in 1979 shortly after my visit. Remembering Reading Fairgrounds Speedway #2819. 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. WALES, Milford GILMORE, Charlie It wasnt until 1949, though, that the Fairgrounds started to gain a characteristic of its own. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Tommy won his first race in 1938. 8 We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Thats probably the most inconvenient location in the country for seeing tracks in the U.S. 10/6/63 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. HAVENS, Dick It was a local driver named Tommy Hinnershitz that caused its beginning. 2 715 The ultimate irony, of course, is that it wasnt the last race. A minor bit of sfuffing to extremes, but overall, a much nicer copy than usually encountered. Dizzie Dean 5 This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 8 1 17 In 1957, when the opportunity presented itself, Vicari moved his program to Fridays and from that day on, Reading was a Friday night raceway. Peoria Old Timers Racing Club (P.O.R.C.) I take 35-40 of those trips each season. 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. I went back to my favorite tracks like Ascot, Rockford, Manzanita and Santa Fe among others time and again. area. 10/8/78 1 It was delightful to see young ones browse through a variety of books. 6 below, and then scroll down 3/4's of the page, and you'll be able to start the video: More interesting info They built a Horse Race Track and grandstands which were opened to the public in 1916. 27 634 Words. 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. Rags Carter was really wound up and getting louder. Tommy Long 3/23/74 In 1983 we returned to California where we have resided until this day. Worlds #1 Trackchaser Hotels..how to buy them at 30-60% off and more.the way I do it. If you want to see the true essence of trackchasing youve come to the right place. 23 I remember on those dry summer The binding is tight. What the heck does Classic mean? He brought in the flatheads to compete every Wednesday night. 3 7 6 BLACKLEY, Johnny Title: Reading Fairgrounds Modified Memories [Fairgrounds Racetrack, Berks Co., PA] Author Name: Vicari, Vince (editor) Edition: 1st Edition. 1 A very difficult to find print. This had nothing to do with the quality of the racing! 2 1 If so, please feel free to share your memories in the comments section below. When I opened it, it asked me whether I wanted to transfer software from another source, which I did; I transferred everything . He still races the modifieds and gets a win now and then. 11 1 July 21, 2017 by Alexa Freyman. 4 Jim Kirk VOSS, Larry BURKHART, Barry The Reading Fair had it's first fair in 1854 at Penn's Commons, in what is now City Park. For whatever reason (usually not enough time) this trackchasing adventure didnt get posted to my website when I first made the track visit. 3 5 Chevy in there - not an Offy like the others ran. TOBIAS, Ron Red Riegel were killed in the first turn racing sprint cars. The ultimate irony, of course, is that it wasnt the last race. RAFTER, Bill Golly, did Dad wake up then - told the 8/21/77 Dirt Track Cars reading fairgrounds memories. old who had many questions for his Dad. BLUM, Bill Im thinking there were a few strings of these lights around the track. MOORE, Mose Racechasing was good enough for me. FOR SALE! 14 SMITH, Russ Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. 54 Back in the day, beginning in 1972 I worked for a company called Richardson-Vicks (RVI). 3/24/68 This was something about killing two birds with one stone which sounds kind of barbaric to me. 3 Wide's Picture Vault is Brought to You With the Support of: ..Remembering Our Area's Auto Racing From the Past. This was win no. Tommy Hinnershitzhad wins at the track early in his career. Expenses. 2 . Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Your guess is as good as mine! 9 7 This group is for sharing memories and photos of the Reading Fairgrounds. qualifying lap times. were all about. #175 of 750 "Midway of Memories: The Reading Fairgound. STUMPF, Don 1 reading pa obituaries 2021. In 1979 a limited racing series was held at the Fairgrounds as legal entanglements delayed development of the mall. decided we were going to the races at Reading. 2 1 4 Today where the racetrack once stood is theFairgrounds Square Mall, which opened in 1980 and closed in 2018. GERHART, Bobby Remember, this was only the 46thdifferent track I had ever seen. 14 PAUCH, Billy Shares547. FITZCHARLES, Glenn It does not store any personal data. 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. 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. Hundreds of photos of drivers and their car. 11 4 Reading Fairgrounds Speedway(19241979) was a one half mile dirt/clay modified race track located inMuhlenburg Township,Berks County,Pennsylvania. Please join the RFRHS to help preserve the great memories. There was the sight of promoter Lindy Vicari in his grader, working the track surface to the optimum of tackiness the good kind. In 1957, when the opportunity presented itself, Vicari moved his program to Fridays and from that day on, Reading was a Friday night raceway. 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. Keep up the good job with these memory pages. A great variety of amusements to appeal to the taste of everyone who came through the gate was provided. The flag Typically these will be stories from tracks I visited five years or ten years or more ago. Thanks! Feb. 25It was opening day 1972 at the Reading Fairgrounds Speedway when Bobby Braxton had one of those close calls so familiar to racecar drivers. . Copyright 2021 GoReadingBerks | All Rights Reserved |. 20 PLOSKI JR, Stan My average trip covers 5,000 miles and more. SCHNEIDER, Frankie 1 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. By this time, the crowd LONG, Tommy The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". 9/15/72 TROUT. 7 It was from 1949 to 1957 though, that Hinnershsitz put the character into Reading. 8 3 If it is your nonprofit, add geographic service areas to create a map on your profile. In 1978, the last fair was held on the Muhlenberg site because the Fairgrounds was sold to developers of the Fairgrounds Square Mall. Everyone came to share the moment and say goodbye. 4 VAN KIRK, Billy TAYLOR, Lee The beloved flatheads grew in popularity and stature. Use it! 4 4/11/70 1 7/14/75 Or you can visit me on Facebook. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. 13 9 Your guess is as good as mine! 10 2 8 - $156.06. This was during the 2000 trackchasing season. 6 Today, as a trackchaser, I commonly get up at some very early hours. I get the chance to meet people from all over the world. I take 35-40 of those trips each season. SHIRK, Darryl I didnt begin writing a complete Trackchaser Report until I had seen about 425 tracks. 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. Friday nights getting out to the parking lot to find our car coated main stands, then got back to our seats for the main event. 1 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 They dont. 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. 4/1/79 1 AbeBooks.com: Reading Fairgrounds - Modified Memories - Stock Car Racing: Bound in the original blue and yellow stiff wraps. 3 Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. A lot of these races were won by #1 Tobias, # 76 Chamberlain, # 57 CHARLES, Harry 1 you hear them all the way up in Allentown. DECKER, Charlie 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. In 1955, apromoter named Lindy Vicari took over a tract of land and began weekly racing for the first time at the Reading Fairgrounds. A great book on Stock Car Racing in Reading, PA. . HAMILTON, Jackie Gerald Chamberlain 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 2 No matter who 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. 3 1 1 Did you know David was at the Reading Fairgrounds with his dad ? 7/22/77 Sitting next to me was a young lad, approx. Randy Lewis - San Clemente CA. DRIVER 10 01.15.16 crowd in the pit area. 2 Tried to explain the difference but gave up when Dad told the lad to go get something to Jim Keppley 2 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. 10/1/71 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. 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. Students can choose an appropriate type of graphic . 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. SPENCER, Ed Click on the link below to see the video production from the racing action today. 20 Below: Lindy Vicari, shown below with pageant winners (unable to he identified), operated the Reading Fairgrounds from 1955 to 1979. Was led onto his career from some other "old time" Reading Fairgrounds Speedway I didnt think so. Brightbill would win two more, finishing with 135, and Chamberlain one more, finishing with 92. interrupt until the Fike sprinter fired up and the sound was music to my ears. John Kozak 8/21/64 1 4 4/19/63 21 We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. I went back to my favorite tracks like Ascot, Rockford, Manzanita and Santa Fe among others time and again. BREEDING, Walt 4 4 The first auto racing stunts as a part of the Fair were presented in 1924. 9 6 Dirt oval This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 14 4/17/70 2 2 Jim Baker Date of experience: September 2012. REUTIMANN, Buzzie "We're looking for city carriers, rural carriers and we also have what we . RVI had a customer service operation in Ft. Washington, Pennsylvania. Hope you find what you are looking for and discover things that you were not! SUMMARY DERR, Earl 2 2 ever seen. 7 3 1 EPPOLITE, Frank The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". 5/6/66 23 I got the "last REICHERT, Joe 7 Photographers on record,Red Kirsh,Bob Zellers,Carl Hess. Got it? In 1985 the Procter & Gamble Company would make its biggest acquisition ever, up to that point, of RVI. 1 Over the years other performers included Ray Charles and Pat Boone. Junior Mikosz Drivers flocked from all over the east coast for a share of the pie. MURPHY, Johnny 1 "The throttle stuck." The modified stock car Braxton was hired to drive flipped onto its roof. It went like this lap after lap after lap. 2 13 1 Do others trackchase? MAYBERRY, Tom MATTA, Tony Photographic endsheets. 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. If so, please feel free to share your memories in the comments section below. "I went out of the third turn upside down," he said. It was there we met Parnelli Jones and Joe Enter your email address to subscribe to GoReadingBerks and receive notifications of new posts by email. My Reading Fairgrounds Photo Collection from 1968 to 1979!! On Oct. 29, 1978, the last race was held on the half-mile oval. 17 3 Ive just spent the past two hours reviewing the many historical articles found here and feel overwhelmingly nostalgic about my life growing up in Reading, PA. Having left in 1972 after attending Reading High (Class of 1968), the pictures and history makes me look forward to a trip back. RADFORD, Paul 7 5 The 80 acres of motor sports memories was being converted into a shopping mall. 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. USAC friends and fellow co-workers there. There you have it. I hope you enjoy it. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. With all the great 7 SASSAMAN, Dave in dust. 2 Do they share their experiences? 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. WISMER SR, Kenny I didnt begin writing a complete Trackchaser Report until I had seen about 425 tracks. 12 KOZAK, Johnny Find them in Teays Valley, Milton and Cross Lanes for mouth watering smoked prime rib, slow smoked baby back ribs, smoked chicken, Cajun catfish crab stuffed catfish and much, much 3/23/69 In 1961, Reading ran its first special modified event in which Bob Malzahn went home the victor. HEIN, Jim 2 NOTHSTEIN, Junior Hall of Fame Member In 1961, Reading ran its first special modified event in which Bob Malzahn went home the victor. 8/9/68 3 7/21/78 Often a classic TR will not have a video and/or photo album attached. not allowed in the USAC pits at that time. PAXTON, Lynn Reading Fairgrounds Racing Historical Society | Reading PA Thanks for the memories. 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. Brightbill would win two more, finishing with 135, and Chamberlain one more, finishing with 92. HORTON JR, Jimmy 1 6/29/79 We lcome To. USAC had run more sprint car races at Reading than any track in the country when it closed in 1979. As the feature went on, both of them were working their way toward When you receive one of my Trackchaser Reports or find one on my website at, My memories of that trip are few. So many local drivers made the competition tough and exciting. Don Kreitz 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. who did we see - Buzzie Reutimann. BRAXTON, Bobby 3 favorite # 26 Red Coffin. 2 21 the Vault, and of the Reading Fairgrounds to join their great organization and support 35 racing at the Reading Fairgrounds. MEALS, Mike 1 133, 42 more than the guy in second place in career wins and in that grand finale, Gerry Chamberlain. Frank Sinatra performed at the Fair in 1950. 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 Speedway REUTIMANN, Wayne REIFINGER, Hal 7 1 Whitey Kerschner 6 From time to time I would visit this office. I was able to retire at the age of 52 and never work for money another day in my life. 1 5/10/70 5/29/70 One lap Kenny led, the next Gerald was in 2 11 4 Donny and I also raced, but the smaller version go My grandson and I went to the World of Outlaws and KNEISEL, Dave I became interested in the history of Reading through the many stories my grandfather used to tell me. 4 The track closed in 1979 shortly after my visit. 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. 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. 3/25/77 WILLIAMSON, Kramer WELD, Kenny 1 6/30/74 tipton, iowa obituaries. BOTZ, Johnny 1 Since that time the site has grown to provide information about historical sites, landmarks, museums, parks, hotels and more. 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. 1 On Oct. 29, 1978, the last race was held on the half-mile oval. OPPERMAN, Jan The background was yellowish-orange, and the illustration was a pen and ink drawing of a young man . 1 Fred George 06.11.09 11 62 2 1 DETWEILER, Ralph What it DID have to do with was the Eastern time zone! This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 7/9/78 2 These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. 2 SAUDER, Kenny 4 OSBORNE, Lee STEIF, Billy 7 17 Bobby Hauer 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. 10/25/75 4/26/74 All of that, however, was a mere epilogue, like a wave in the distance. This was something about killing two birds with one stone which sounds kind of barbaric to me. 4/3/71 Thats all folks! 1 Dave Marburger Accept Read More. The EventVideo Plus 5/9/65 READINGER, Dan 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. 27 If you have any photos from back in the day, send them to me at. 9/13/69 These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. 6/17/66 Watching Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher on the screen reminded me of my age, though, once I learned how much Ford made for being in this episode, I understood the movie's story line much better. The speedway got its nickname long before the stock car champions became stars. 48 1 BLATT, Bobby National Geographic Diversity Lifetime Results, National Geographic Diversity Annual Results. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. If youve got a question, comment or whatever please leave it at the bottom of this report. There was a continuous shuttle service of trains from both Franklin Street and the Outer Station on the Reading railway, which also arranged excursions at reduced rates from places within the area bounded by Sunbury, Easton, Philadelphia, and Harrisburg. house for rent waldport oregon; is thanos a villain or anti hero 6/22/75 1 Kenny Brightbillis the Reading Fairgrounds Speedway all-time wins record holder with 135 track victories. You might have remembrances about this track. 1 Reading 1 1 "When all four wheels are off the ground and you're upside down, there's not much you can do but . (BILL UHRICH - READING EAGLE) The organization was founded. 1 What it DID have to do with was the Eastern time zone!
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