Thanks for the memories. Pickell Jr. We would like to thank The When the structure gave way, in 1979, to a multi-million dollar shopping mall, it was only memories that remained. 2 The ultimate irony, of course, is that it wasnt the last race. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data. Movie-1-Chapter-3 Tom Luce 10K views 7. I do have one memory of looking at the cover of a paperback book. Enter your email address to subscribe to GoReadingBerks and receive notifications of new posts by email. Planning necessitated the visualizing of a proposed building site in terms of the possibility of expansion rather than of removal and rebuilding. put "Reading Memories" in the Subject Line. If you have any photos from back in the day, send them to me at. 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. EPPOLITE, Frank KENNEDY, Beader 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. Perfect condition. 1 | See more about Best cheese, Santander and Restaurant. The Since 1911 the covered grandstand saw many generations pass and echoed the names of many champions. 1 Larry Voss tipton, iowa obituaries. Peggy Snyder 01/31/07 4 The town of Gunzenhausen is nearby and it has numerous shops, cafe's, bars and a semi permanent fun fair. FRENCH, Ralph Will it work now? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Europeans faces of Argentina in the twenties: Einwanderungsland Argentinian writers during a discussion in Frankfurt Book Fair Blues: O ARGENTINA! COVILLE, C D BRIGHTBILL, Kenny 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. 2 8/21/77 Your guess is as good as mine! 6 Click on the #31 FELTY, LeRoy I was amazed that the east coast folks scheduling these early meetings had ZERO empathy for their west coast visitors. BAILEY, Charlie The memories of the writers and poets who haven't forgotten the terrible . 17 Will it work now? Thanks for the memories. That October Sunday in 78 made it official. 2 1 Dick Tobias 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. I became interested in the history of Reading through the many stories my grandfather used to tell me. The Reading Fair had it's first fair in 1854 at Penn's Commons, in what is now City Park. the Vault, and of the Reading Fairgrounds to join their great organization and support 716 5/5/63 4 2 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. For the first eight years Reading only ran one show a year, usually during the annual Reading Fair. 1 Below: The Reading Fair, 1937-1940 Eventually with the changing times, the racing transitioned from horse into motor vehicle racing. There was the sight of promoter Lindy Vicari in his grader, working the track surface to the optimum of tackiness the good kind. I didnt begin writing a complete Trackchaser Report until I had seen about 425 tracks. 1 15 2 1 Below: Reading Fairgrounds located in Muhlenburg Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania 62 Eventually with the changing times, the racing transitioned from horse into motor vehicle racing. Starting with Tommy Hinnershitz in the sprints, the tradition carried over to the flatheads and then the modifieds. Im not sure of the year, but the big rivalry on GEMENDEN, Phil Frank Cozze I take 35-40 of those trips each season. 2 frenzy already. The lad 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. 224 pp. 7 When the gates opened in 1916, there was not only a track, but a card of races extending over three days. 1 3 24 2 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. Stan Ploski 1 Bill Williams 1 Thanks to Concepts II Video Productionsthey did a great job with this. Source: www.goreadingberks.com 1 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. Thanks! 10/22/77 1 Mike Meals crowd in the pit area. KNEISEL, Dave The site was ideal since it was served by two railroads (the Reading and the Pennsylvania), a branch of the Reading Street Railway Companys lines, and two main highways, the Pottsville and the Allentown Pikes. 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. what about Buzzie Reutimann ? 1 See more ideas about stock car, old race cars, dirt track cars. SCHELL, Tim WISMER SR, Kenny REIFINGER, Hal I was living in California at the time. In 1983 we returned to California where we have resided until this day. Where we work. RILEY, Don LAST WIN 4 1 6 COZZE, Frank 7 HARWI, Otto Additionally, if you see a website link know that link worked when the TR was originally written. A great book on Stock Car Racing in Reading, PA. . Hundreds of photos of drivers and their car. http://www.readingfairgroundsracing.com/, Back The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Shorty Kerschner 5/10/70 HILDRETH, Elton Put the 3 of them together in the front of 52 13 2 Revenue. 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. We raced on dirt and on asphalt mainly in the tri-state Due to red tape that delayed construction, there would be 12 more races in 1979. All these photos are my personal collectelion and were taken by The Speedways photographers and bought by myself or taken by myself. 2 Everyone came to share the moment and say goodbye. 1 Official end of the RLR Randy Lewis Racing Trackchaser Report This was during the 2000 trackchasing season. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. KERSCHNER, Whitey 7/3/77 Local business owner A. T. Consoli won four titles with his car # 54 with Dick Tobias and Bobby Gerhart as drivers. BOTTCHER, Bobby Could not help overhearing him, did not gold label distribution bud man. Thats trackchasingthe way I do it. Al Tasnady It wasnt until 1949, though, that the Fairgrounds started to gain a characteristic of its own. Back in the day, beginning in 1972 I worked for a company called Richardson-Vicks (RVI). Copyright 2023 Randy Lewis - All Right Reserved. + $6.00 shipping. 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. Thanks! 65 Drivers This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Brightbill, Bobby Gerhart, among many others. 19 REUTIMANN, Buzzie 2 SHIRK, Darryl Fairgrounds Memories SWINEHART, Ray ABEL, Bobby 3 SUMMARY 6 4 . Figuring out the logistics of a trip like that is as much fun for me as watching a figure 8 race. 3/23/69 DIFFENDORF, Don It was there we met Parnelli Jones and Joe where he loved it best. 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. Buzzie Reutimann 18 14 from the rest of the field. 7 4 COX, Dan 3 Wide's Picture Vault is Brought to You With the Support of: ..Remembering Our Area's Auto Racing From the Past. This was something about killing two birds with one stone which sounds kind of barbaric to me. 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. 031 60 52 60 Info@enchelab.com. 1 This group is for sharing memories and photos of the Reading Fairgrounds. Thumbnails Roll View With all the great ERB, Mike Today where the racetrack once stood is theFairgrounds Square Mall, which opened in 1980 and closed in 2018. I am a trackchaser. 1 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. Reading Modified Top Ten Performance Index. STECKER, Russ GRIFFIN, Pee Wee After that we would relocate to first Connecticut and then Chicago. 3 Reprinted with permission from my Pre-1980 memory! 716 4/13/73 Accept Read More. 4 were here. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". 1 9 1 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. RVI had a customer service operation in Ft. Washington, Pennsylvania. 2 13 3 KEPPLEY, Jim Ten years later they presented their first and only double show with another organization, the RSCA. SEROKA, Lenny Over the years other performers included Ray Charles and Pat Boone. My name is Randy Lewis (above with Hatem racing federation president Tunisia). It features the Reading Fairgrounds when it was a race track. HERN, Tom Jimmy Horton just witnessed what dirt track racing and the Reading Fairgrounds We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. 3 GramaFan, not related but his methodical way of moving thru the pack and his quiet It became so popular that the Fairgrounds eventually held an entire season of racing, starting in March and only closing in late fall. "We're looking for city carriers, rural carriers and we also have what we . I was a Reading race fan from 1972-1975. in 73 my brother and I did Reading We knew the dangers of racing as we were there when Jud Larson and 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. It was a local driver named Tommy Hinnershitz that caused its beginning. Learn how your comment data is processed. Official end of the RLR Randy Lewis Racing Trackchaser Report. YOUNG, Bruce The beloved flatheads grew in popularity and stature. 1 20,000 spectators jammed the place to. 10/1/71 KELLY, Joe I was living in California at the time. 90 It was the end of an era. 41 20 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. BAKER, Jim 13 Buzzie now 9/24/78 TILLEY, Ray Promoters brought the finest racecar drivers in the nation to the Reading area. So imagine being at the 27th Muscat International Book Fair - it is a haven for students. I take 35-40 of those trips each season. The beloved flatheads grew in popularity and stature. Bobby Blatt Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Since that time the site has grown to provide information about historical sites, landmarks, museums, parks, hotels and more. 4 Ver ms de Reading Fairgrounds Speedway Resurrection 2013 en Facebook. HALDEMAN, Ed 9/9/66 Its very easy to do. chief mechanic on the race car, came to the fence and motioned for me to bring him the All the good and all the bad, more than a half-century of blood, sweat and cheers gone. COREY, Pete 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. 4 decided we were going to the races at Reading. 5/29/70 Prior to 1980 I was a racechaser. SHEETZ, Tommy I developed goreadingberks.com around 1998 for the purpose of presenting information about the History of the Catholic Faith in Reading. All of it had to be done within five months calendar time (the fair was postponed to late October in order to provide an extra month for construction). READINGER, Dan 3 When I opened it, it asked me whether I wanted to transfer software from another source, which I did; I transferred everything . STONG, Jay STEIF, Billy 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 . RVI had a customer service operation in Ft. Washington, Pennsylvania. Racechasing was good enough for me. Photo albums were sort of hit or miss during the early years of my trackchasing. It wasnt until 1949, though, that the Fairgrounds started to gain a characteristic of its own. I do remember seeing something at the track that I had never seen before. 7/14/75 13 1 In 1978, the last fair was held on the Muhlenberg site because the Fairgrounds was sold to developers of the Fairgrounds Square Mall. 2 Pages. Pittman. 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. 4 The track opened September 24, 1924 and ran until June 29, 1979. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. 2 1ST WIN Golly, did Dad wake up then - told the Title: Reading Fairgrounds Modified Memories [Fairgrounds Racetrack, Berks Co., PA] Author Name: Vicari, Vince (editor) Edition: 1st Edition. Its simply a Trackchaser Report that comes from my trackchasing archives. was standing now, no one was in their sits as we all were yelling REIDER, Blackie 1 4 4/11/70 Do they share their experiences? The EventVideo Plus During intermission we 1 USAC had run more sprint car races at Reading than any track in the country when it closed in 1979. 1 Often a classic TR will not have a video and/or photo album attached. The Reading Fairgrounds Racing Historical Society, whose membership is dedicated to preserving the memories of the Fairgrounds and speedway, was thankful to see the plaque finally in place,. FOR SALE! 1 Although I hated eastern time meetings and meetings in general I was tied to the corporate tit. 1 BROMMER, Aaron We welcome your suggestions for articles for the GoReadingBerks website. 1 2 FARLEY, Ed GARBER, Harry 5 1956 Reading Fairgrounds Jalopy: Final Standings:1-Johnny Mackison: 1957 Reading Fairgrounds Jalopy: Final Standings:1-George Speck: 1958 Reading Fairgrounds Jalopy: Final Standings:1-Hal Reifinger: 1959 Reading Fairgrounds Jalopy: Final Standings:1-Hal Reifinger: 1960 Reading Fairgrounds Jalopy: Final Standings:1-Bobby Hersh: 1961 Reading . 41 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. 13 12 VOLZ, Tony for one or the other. I would continue to work for P&G until my retirement in 2002. Will Cagle On the green, they took off Hello, from the Reading Stock Car Association we have the ultimate book 115708529208 CARTER, Rags In 1961, Reading ran its first special modified event in which Bob Malzahn went home the victor. When the structure gave way, in 1979, to a multi-million dollar shopping mall, it was only memories that remained. 1 This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. 7/30/65 S sonny fetherman 388 followers More information 246 best images about Reading Fairgrounds and Reading Pennsylvania . 3 Im thinking there were a few strings of these lights around the track. Brightbill running the high line and 5/15/64 4 2 4 The ultimate irony, of course, is that it wasnt the last race. the pack, and the crowd and ourselves went wild. 1 In 1947 a building designed for roller skating was added to the facilities. Recent Additions to our Reading Fairgrounds Memories Page. 6 4/1/79 7 6/17/66 GRIFFIN, Bernie Hall of Fame Member So many local drivers made the competition tough and exciting. 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. Dirt oval 4 2 Expenses. Money? 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. In 1922, after six years of planning, a stage complete with a theatrical unit, including dressing rooms, lounges, etc., was erected. 8/23/63 Hope you enjoy my "way back when" little tid-bits. website, including a video capturing racing Drivers such as A. J. Foyt, Roger McCluskey, Jim Hurtubise, Jud Larson, Johnny Rutherford, and Bobby Unser took over after Tommy retired in 1960. 1 2 6/22/75 10/21/62 6 1 TOBIAS, Dick 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. 12 Promoters brought the finest racecar drivers in the nation to the Reading area. Local business owner A. T. Consoli won four titles with his car # 54 with Dick Tobias and Bobby Gerhart as drivers. 7 GILLETTE, Don He was one of several drivers killed at the Fairgrounds over the years. Via Tert.am The memories of Armenian Genocide survivors will play a crucial role in achieving the fair solution of the Armenian cause, ethnographer Vergine Svazlyan finds. 12 Reading Fairgrounds Modified Memories Yearbook Issue: / Year: 1980 Condition: VG-History 313495870366 When I got to my hotel it was difficult to get to sleep with the three hour time zone change. 1 I went back to my favorite tracks like Ascot, Rockford, Manzanita and Santa Fe among others time and again. It does not store any personal data. there to help his young son, and naturally, he always drew a huge 1 Iniciar sesin Olvidaste tu cuenta? DeGROOT, Fred "Memories should have been collected and submitted to the scientific community. HUBBARD, Johnny Date of experience: September 2012. Several subsequent purchases increased the area to approximately 78 acres. MULLIGAN, Whip In 1928 the power of eminent domain was used to acquire part of the Madeira farm for a new entrance and exposition building at the fair. Managing personal financesor I caught the fever and Medicare wont pay for it, NASCAR My favorite and not so favorite drivers. Here or email us at 3wide@optonline.net and 11 This profile needs more info. The Reading Fairgrounds was considered to be the best weekly racing program in the country. 6 It does not store any personal data. 2 mentioned this to his Dad who ignored the question so I told him that it was a small block 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. 8/30/63 In 1955, apromoter named Lindy Vicari took over a tract of land and began weekly racing for the first time at the Reading Fairgrounds. 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. 1 RUDY, Jack 2 Was led onto his career from some other "old time" In 1957, when the opportunity presented itself, Vicari moved his program to Fridays and from that day on, Reading was a Friday night raceway. 7 1 2 I was amazed that the east coast folks scheduling these early meetings had ZERO empathy for their west coast visitors. In 1932, three shows were held. 1 who did we see - Buzzie Reutimann. 10 4 Ill try to include them here. TILLMAN, Herbie 9 10/1/71 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. 2 15 8 MIKOSZ, Junior by a coat of paint on his bumper. 1 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. 11 9 When you receive one of my Trackchaser Reports or find one on my website at, My memories of that trip are few. 6 17 6 Or you can visit me on Facebook. karts. 6/19/64 of about Reading PA from My average trip covers 5,000 miles and more. 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. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. 7 Thanks again, Peggy Snyder at plsnyder@ptd.net - welcome all emails and/or The crowd Sorry. When gasoline took the place of the railroad, the Reading Transit Company brought in fleets of buses from other cities. 135 2019 Ted Fund Donors I do that kind of thing all the time. They dont. Pre-1980. While Im homesick and now living in California since 1972, a road trip back will be soon in the cards. Nov 19, 2022 - Explore Patrick Bendrick's board "reading Fairgrounds" on Pinterest. The Reading Fairgrounds Speedway is one of those long ago vintage tracks affectionately known as the Group of 71. I AM A TRACKCHASER. 3 Reading Fairgrounds - Modified Memories - Stock Car Racing Author VICARI, Vince; Ed Illustrator Photo Illustrated Format/Binding Hardcover Book condition Used - Fine Jacket condition No Jacket Edition First Edition Binding Hardcover Publisher Racing Sanctioning Corp. Of America Place of Publication Reading, PA Date Published 1979 Keywords 7/9/78 4 We usually had 7 a.m. eastern time breakfast meetings. 2 CLEAVER, Dennis 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. My memories of that trip are few. Meme Desantis I didnt begin producing my YouTube videos until 2009 (YouTube channel: RANLAY). Below: Car # 54 races # 76, Freddy Adam, the Kutztown Comet, who competed in more seasons than any other racer. 1 10/8/78

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