lives in Zephyrhills,Fl and loves to talk about the good old days. Great fair memories made every year . BAILEY, Charlie SASSAMAN, Dave EMERICH, Bob Official end of the RLR Randy Lewis Racing Trackchaser Report Did you know David was at the Reading Fairgrounds with his dad ? READING FAIRGROUNDS MODIFIED Memories Yearbook 1980-History of modified stock. 13 1 As I came out of the theater, though, I decided that it would be fun to update a . 3/23/74 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. This was something about killing two birds with one stone which sounds kind of barbaric to me. 5 17 Enter your email address to subscribe to GoReadingBerks and receive notifications of new posts by email. Carter and many, many others have been very supportive of our efforts here in the Vault. HAMILTON, Jackie Everyone came to share the moment and say goodbye. 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. 5 Starting with Tommy Hinnershitz in the sprints, the tradition carried over to the flatheads and then the modifieds. A great book on Stock Car Racing in Reading, PA. . 1 9/9/66 VON DOHREN, Barry Promoters brought the finest racecar drivers in the nation to the Reading area. 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. 2 2 It was the end of an era. 5/18/75 5 MILLER, Paul 1 COLLIS, Carl Although I hated eastern time meetings and meetings in general I was tied to the corporate tit. Ralph Smith ALLEN, Jerre If youve got a question, comment or whatever please leave it at the bottom of this report. 2 On Oct. 29, 1978, the last race was held on the half-mile oval. National Geographic Diversity Lifetime Results, National Geographic Diversity Annual Results. you hear them all the way up in Allentown. 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. 2014 Reading Fairgrounds Racing Historical Society Elected Officials In 1999 construction began at the present-day Fairgrounds on 60 acres in Bern Township off County Welfare Road. Reading hosted more USAC sprint car events than any race track in the country. We raced on dirt and on asphalt mainly in the tri-state 11 Down the backstetch it was still a dead 5 In 1983 we returned to California where we have resided until this day. 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. exciting. TRAUTMAN, Bob 20 7 3 GERHART, Bobby Red Riegel were killed in the first turn racing sprint cars. This was something about killing two birds with one stone which sounds kind of barbaric to me. BALOGACH, Paul 19 It does not store any personal data. With the mall becoming too crowded, the Fair moved to Kutztown while Fair organizers searched for a new site. 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. 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. 135 FREYER, Karl 6 Whenever I could I would try to time my business visits from all over the country into a racing visit as well. FELTY, LeRoy 133, 42 more than the guy in second place in career wins and in that grand finale, Gerry Chamberlain. CLEAVER, Dennis Jim Baker It was a local driver named Tommy Hinnershitz that caused its beginning. 6 1 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. 6/22/75 From time to time I would visit this office. 1 4 In 1957, when the opportunity presented itself, Vicari moved his program to Fridays and from that day on, Reading was a Friday night raceway. My memories of that trip are few. I didnt begin producing my YouTube videos until 2009 (YouTube channel: RANLAY). GILLETTE, Don 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. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". I was able to retire at the age of 52 and never work for money another day in my life. My average trip covers 5,000 miles and more. 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. If so, please feel free to share your memories in the comments section below. SHARP, Henry COZZE, Frank 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. I am indebted to several of these folks for their help and friendship. When gasoline took the place of the railroad, the Reading Transit Company brought in fleets of buses from other cities. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Ill try to include them here. KREITZ JR, Don MANCHESTER, Leon I am a trackchaser. 4 5 1 Thanks for the memories. We settled into our seats under the big roof 2 GRIFFIN, Bernie We usually had 7 a.m. eastern time breakfast meetings. 1 1 1 Thanks to Concepts II Video Productionsthey did a great job with this. 8/21/77 The Reading Fairgrounds Speedway is one of those long ago vintage tracks affectionately known as the Group of 71. The track closed in 1979 shortly after my visit. Revenue. The ultimate irony, of course, is that it wasnt the last race. BROWNING, Hal BUNTING, Harold The ultimate irony, of course, is that it wasnt the last race. 7 Keep it up! 28 BROMMER, Aaron Love "Now, all these guys are in their 70's and 80's now, but the ones that can still . WILLIAMSON, Kramer For whatever reason (usually not enough time) this trackchasing adventure didnt get posted to my website when I first made the track visit. 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. kid that the lady did not know what she was talking about. 5 1 TIE (1st) Freddy Adam & Jackie Evans 8/13/1967 It became so popular that the Fairgrounds eventually held an entire season of racing, starting in March and only closing in late fall. REAKES, Sammy The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". 2 Consequently Reading lost its local image and the RSCA was no longer the Reading Stock Car Assn., but the Racing Sanctioning Corporation of America. 1 pre-war coupes & coaches to the Pintos and other more modern bodies. 4 July 21, 2017 by Alexa Freyman. 7/9/65 It was from 1949 to 1957 though, that Hinnershsitz put the character into Reading. Reading Fairgrounds was in the AARN weekly and the monthly 4 1 You want this if you love Racing ! 5 5 When I got to my hotel it was difficult to get to sleep with the three hour time zone change. 20 Ask Admins if you aren't sure if you may post something. 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. 4 Send post to email address, comma separated for multiple emails. Again, in the end of the 1962 season, another trial modified event was held. Health? 1 The speedway got its nickname long before the stock car champions became stars. I get the chance to meet people from all over the world. "Memories should have been collected and submitted to the scientific community. 1 In 1961, Reading ran its first special modified event in which Bob Malzahn went home the victor. Bob Siedel 90 1 Reading Fairgrounds Speedway Since 1999, the Fair has been moved to Bern Township, on Hilltop Road. 1 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. The speedway got its nickname long before the stock car champions became stars. If it is your nonprofit, add geographic service areas to create a map on your profile. 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. 8/9/68 SLADE, Ron 6 5 11 Well, one day my dad TAYLOR, Larry 1 DICKSON, Larry 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. $0. It wasn't until 1915 that the Fair was held at it's most remembered location in Muhlenberg Township. The Reading Fair. was really wound up and getting louder. the Vault, and of the Reading Fairgrounds to join their great organization and support Wikipedia provided this review of the Reading Fairgrounds Speedway. Freddy Adam 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. 6 Glenn Fitzcharles For $ 2.25 you could see some great dirt track Iniciar sesin Olvidaste tu cuenta? ever seen. Budd Olsen 1977 Reading Fairgrounds RSCA Modifieds Program Kenny Brightbill. 2 OSMUN, Dave REIFINGER, Hal 2 6 7 Mike Meals 4/3/71 4/15/77 HULBERT, Mert DELP, Russ 2 1 KEMMERER, Jim [1]It featured a regular weekly series of modified, sportsman modified, and late modelstock carracing. 1 Due to red tape that delayed construction, there would be 12 more races in 1979. 2 front. 59 HAVENS, Dick GRIFFIN, Pee Wee The first auto racing stunts as a part of the Fair were presented in 1924. KOCH, Paul 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 very easy to do. 1 29 The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. HORTON JR, Jimmy I didnt think so. Thank you for reading! 7 All of that, however, was a mere epilogue, like a wave in the distance. Accueil; A propos de nous; Nos produits; Contactez-nous; reading fairgrounds memories. Facebook Twitter Google+ YouTube. 8 Have had 2 men email Click on the #31 27 13 10/15/67 What it DID have to do with was the Eastern time zone! 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. 13 2 http://www.readingfairgroundsracing.com/, Back 9 Horse racing had become a big attraction beginning with the first Fair in 1854, finally graduating into big time racing, with imported horses, in the days of the North Eleventh Street Fairs. 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. 2 I had heard tales of the packed houses Reading got, and this night Promoters brought the finest racecar drivers in the nation to the Reading area. 2 REIDER, Blackie Reprinted with permission from my Pre-1980 memory! Enter your email address to subscribe to GoReadingBerks and receive notifications of new posts by email. The Reading Fairgrounds Speedway is one of those long ago vintage tracks affectionately known as the Group of 71. there to help his young son, and naturally, he always drew a huge 3 racing. 4 Local business owner A. T. Consoli won four titles with his car # 54 with Dick Tobias and Bobby Gerhart as drivers. The Reading Fairgrounds was considered to be the best weekly racing program in the country. 1 2 GEORGE, Del 2 Reading Fairgrounds Racing Historical Society | Reading PA My name is Randy Lewis (above with Hatem racing federation president Tunisia). 12 The track opened September 24, 1924 and ran until June 29, 1979. 2 dr patel plastic surgeon oak brook. 9/3/65 Rags Carter STUMPF, Don 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. The beloved flatheads grew in popularity and stature. 38 In 1947 a building designed for roller skating was added to the facilities. 7/26/68 yrs. MOORE, Mose 5 letter words for wordle beginning with s. reading fairgrounds memories. Although I hated eastern time meetings and meetings in general I was tied to the corporate tit. Hotels..how to buy them at 30-60% off and more.the way I do it. Hope you find what you are looking for and discover things that you were not! Dave Kelly 10 1 Thats probably the most inconvenient location in the country for seeing tracks in the U.S. USAC had run more sprint car races at Reading than any track in the country when it closed in 1979. RILEY, Don I also remember falling asleep as I watched the racing. Photographic endsheets. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. 1 of about Reading PA from WILLIAMS, Bill 52 8/20/78 It will run through Feb. 27. not allowed in the USAC pits at that time. WARREN, Smokey for one or the other. Brightbill would win two more, finishing with 135, and Chamberlain one more, finishing with 92. 5 were all about. favorite # 26 Red Coffin. was one of the first races I ever attended. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. SCHNEIDER, Frankie 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. It was henceforth proclaimed throughout the ranks, to win at Reading is beating the best, but it was tough. 2 PAUCH, Billy 5 2 Managing personal financesor I caught the fever and Medicare wont pay for it, NASCAR My favorite and not so favorite drivers. 715 18 REINERT, Noot . Tommy Hinnershitzhad wins at the track early in his career. 2 KENNEDY, Beader 13 It was a local driver named Tommy Hinnershitz that caused its beginning. 1 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. Randy on Facebook SCHOFFSTALL, Dave 27 I didnt give any thought to recording the dates when I visited those 71 tracks. 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. Expenses. 2 3 1 Bobby Braxton I was living in California at the time. area. Who can forget the Brightbill high, Chamberlain low, coming off the 4th turn its now a 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. Figuring out the logistics of a trip like that is as much fun for me as watching a figure 8 race. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 52 HERN, Tom 27 2 LAST WIN GILMORE, Charlie Reading Fairgrounds Modified Memories Yearbook Issue: / Year: 1980 Condition: VG-History 313495870366 10/1/71 10 13 Stan Ploski PRATT, Eddie 9/4/67 For much longer than that, he has focused on spreading joy and peace through his music. 5/9/65 They built a Horse Race Track and grandstands which were opened to the public in 1916. 2 Reprinted with permission from my Pre-1980 memory! Kenny Weld COX, Dan (BILL UHRICH - READING EAGLE) The organization was founded. This was during the 2000 trackchasing season. 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. Lifetime track #46 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. One day Ill be in Tucson, the next in maybe Tuscaloosa and the following day in Syracuse. FARLEY, Ed Lindy V. Vicariwas a stock-car racing promoter and operator of the Reading Fairgrounds from 1955 until 1979. demeanor make him a favorite. 1 Long The crowd went crazy as they had 1 In 1955, apromoter named Lindy Vicari took over a tract of land and began weekly racing for the first time at the Reading Fairgrounds. 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. Perfect condition. 2 Great drivers, great fans & great memories!!! 17 BITTING, Del 9 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. Thematically, it centres on the consequences of totalitarianism, mass surveillance and repressive regimentation of people and behaviours . In 1965, the United States Auto Club (USAC) ran its first night race and also began scheduling five shows a year. 17 to victory. OLSEN, Budd Or you can visit me on Facebook. We knew the dangers of racing as we were there when Jud Larson and 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. 2 714 the tracks that are now gone. BRIGHTBILL, Kenny 8/7/77 I am indebted to several of these folks for their help and friendship. All the good and all the bad, more than a half-century of blood, sweat and cheers gone. 3 This had nothing to do with the quality of the racing! 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. I do remember seeing something at the track that I had never seen before. 8/8/71 and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at AbeBooks.com. 3 DENGLER, Smokey SEIDEL, Bob Frank Cozze 7 4 1 by a coat of paint on his bumper. 6 I would continue to work for P&G until my retirement in 2002. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Donny Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. 2 9 7 Sorry. 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. GramaFan, not related but his methodical way of moving thru the pack and his quiet 01.15.16 4 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. 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. 3 2 The ultimate irony, of course, is that it wasnt the last race. BOTZ, Johnny Reading racetrack he said he loved the 3 min. EARNSHAW, Leigh We lcome To. 9 By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. CARROLL, Jackie KESSLER, Randy Reading Modified Top Ten Performance Index 4/17/70 23 These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Date of experience: September 2012. MEALS, Mike 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. 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
What Happens When You Stop Giving Him Attention, Articles R
What Happens When You Stop Giving Him Attention, Articles R