reading fairgrounds memories

8/8/69 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. 7/22/66 We settled into our seats under the big roof 2 Thanks for reading about my trackchasing, READING FAIRGROUNDS MODIFIED VICTORIES You might have remembrances about this track. 7/10/77 1 racing. I am indebted to several of these folks for their help and friendship. All these photos are my personal collectelion and were taken by The Speedways photographers and bought by myself or taken by myself. It became so popular that the Fairgrounds eventually held an entire season of racing, starting in March and only closing in late fall. 1 Click on the #31 1 "Now, all these guys are in their 70's and 80's now, but the ones that can still . 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. "I went out of the third turn upside down," he said. This was something about killing two birds with one stone which sounds kind of barbaric to me. 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. In 1965, the United States Auto Club (USAC) ran its first night race and also began scheduling five shows a year. The first auto racing stunts as a part of the Fair were presented in 1924. OPPERMAN, Jan My name is Fred George. 1 PRATT, Eddie 17 and got through the heats and consolations. TV to this day. MIKOSZ, Junior qualifying lap times. 1 JOHNSON, Alan 20 MILLER, Paul 1 3 Bobby Blatt 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. 1 6 In 1932, three shows were held. 8/9/68 6 2 17 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. Additionally, if you see a website link know that link worked when the TR was originally written. READINGER, Dan He brought in the flatheads to compete every Wednesday night. 5/15/70 As the feature went on, both of them were working their way toward to Reading provided me with the closest, most exciting race I had FORRETTE, Maynard 6/30/78 Thats trackchasingthe way I do it. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Thanks for reading about my trackchasing, Peoria Old Timers Racing Club (P.O.R.C.) From time to time I would visit this office. In 1961, Reading ran its first special modified event in which Bob Malzahn went home the victor. I dont mind to much. Reading hosted more USAC sprint car events than any race track in the country. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. For $ 2.25 you could see some great dirt track Lap after lap, side by Today, as a trackchaser, I commonly get up at some very early hours. Harry Moore 3 Randy on Facebook 5 "When all four wheels are off the ground and you're upside down, there's not much you can do but . HIEBER, Gary In 1983 we returned to California where we have resided until this day. The beloved flatheads grew in popularity and stature. Promoters brought the finest racecar drivers in the nation to the Reading area. The 80 acres of motor sports memories was being converted into a shopping mall. 10 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. 7 If it is your nonprofit, add geographic service areas to create a map on your profile. BLATT, Bobby 1 224 pp. 3 FITZCHARLES, Glenn I didnt begin producing my YouTube videos until 2009 (YouTube channel: RANLAY). 2 Reading Fairgrounds Racing Historical Society and members Mike Shaub, Ken Johnson, Alan live the memories!!!! The Reading Fairgrounds was considered to be the best weekly racing program in the country. 46 27 DeSANTIS, Meme 1 GUEST, Terry Students can choose an appropriate type of graphic . 13 8/19/72 It was the end of an era. All of that, however, was a mere epilogue, like a wave in the distance. Dirt Track Cars The Reading Fair had it's first fair in 1854 at Penn's Commons, in what is now City Park. 4 WISMER SR, Kenny I do that kind of thing all the time. I would continue to work for P&G until my retirement in 2002. RFRHS: heat as they enter turn 3-4. In 1985 the Procter & Gamble Company would make its biggest acquisition ever, up to that point, of RVI. Whenever I could I would try to time my business visits from all over the country into a racing visit as well. It will run through Feb. 27. The car is featured at the Reading Fairgrounds Racing Reunion Saturday at the Classic Auto Mall, 6180 Morgantown Road, Morgantown. Frankie Schneider 2 I hail from the sleepy little village by the sea, San Clemente, California. 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. 10 4 30 area. karts. Once you begin researching my trip itineraries from my website, yes you will want to do that, you will be surprised. WARREN, Smokey Al Tasnady 1 Where we work. http://www.readingfairgroundsracing.com/, Back 1 Red Riegel were killed in the first turn racing sprint cars. 6/27/71 When you receive one of my Trackchaser Reports or find one on my website at, My memories of that trip are few. 8/21/77 5 Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 11 chief mechanic on the race car, came to the fence and motioned for me to bring him the two made up the front row on the restart. After having gotten a terrible nights sleep getting up at 3 a.m. my time was terrible. 1 Thank you for reading! STRUPP, Sonny Everyone came to share the moment and say goodbye. 4/15/77 8/20/78 Ron Tobias Bobby Hauer VAN KIRK, Billy 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. 8 NOTHSTEIN, Junior Chevy in there - not an Offy like the others ran. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. 4/24/64 JOHNSON, Jack I was amazed that the east coast folks scheduling these early meetings had ZERO empathy for their west coast visitors. reading pa obituaries 2021. not allowed in the USAC pits at that time. Do they share their experiences? 10/8/78 Lifetime track #46 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. 1 Today, the Reading Fair is held in Bern Township-continuing the Fair's tradition of combining its agricultural heritage with entertainment for county residents. reading fairgrounds memories. 1 12 GRIFFIN, Bernie 2 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. Thanks for filling in so much nostalgia for my upbringing and the roots I am so proud of. Let's stay updated! Smith 08.24.20 1 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,. 6 This was win no. ZIMMERMAN, Dick VARNER, Donnie 4 2 Editors note: This is a CLASSIC Trackchaser Report. 3 7 Date of experience: September 2012. watching the classic battles between Gerald Chamberlain, Kenny All the good and all the bad, more than a half-century of blood, sweat and cheers gone. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Wish I would have had eyes in the back of my head when Joe Pittman, the father and It was there we met Parnelli Jones and Joe Thanks for the memories. This print measures 32" x 26". Ver ms de Reading Fairgrounds Speedway Resurrection 2013 en Facebook. KREITZ SR, Don Kim 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. DESKOVICH, Billy 2 Budd Olsen 7 There were some sacrifices but there was a reward. 10 TAYLOR, Lee It wasn't until 1915 that the Fair was held at it's most remembered location in Muhlenberg Township. 1 1 1 DELP, Russ 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. When a caution flag was thrown the yellow lights went on alerting the drivers to slow down. FRENCH, Ralph The lad laughed and said to me - "you knew what motor it was". If you have any photos from back in the day, send them to me atRanlay@yahoo.com. ALLEN, Jerre 1 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. It was in this time that they went from running Do others trackchase? John Kozak 1 8 3 Membership is open to all who are interested in keeping the tradition and memory of the races and fair alive for the future. 1 Promoters brought the finest racecar drivers in the nation to the Reading area. We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. I got the "last So many local drivers made the competition tough and exciting. Dave Marburger 1 CHARLES, Harry 3 Thats why I fell asleep during the racing at Reading! With all the great Tommy won his first race in 1938. This was win no. Tommy won his first race in 1938. TILLEY, Ray 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. 3 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. 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 . 1 website, including a video capturing racing 6/24/79 7/26/68 1 THE CLASSIC TRACKCHASER REPORT 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. Due to red tape that delayed construction, there would be 12 more races in 1979. 4/26/74 READING PA FAIRGROUNDS Modified Memories Dirt Track Kenny Brightbill RSCA - $40.80. Stan Ploski 9 S sonny fetherman 388 followers More information 246 best images about Reading Fairgrounds and Reading Pennsylvania . 1 Serving folks since 2002. Thats why I fell asleep during the racing at Reading! 4 KERSCHNER, Shorty any interesting pieces caught my attention while walking around the Art Fair. Consequently Reading lost its local image and the RSCA was no longer the Reading Stock Car Assn., but the Racing Sanctioning Corporation of America. Indy champions loved to compete at The Home of Champions. Carl Van Horn He was one of several drivers killed at the Fairgrounds over the years. What it DID have to do with was the Eastern time zone! ELY, George Below: Reading Fairgrounds located in Muhlenburg Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania Today, as a trackchaser, I commonly get up at some very early hours. 14 main stands, then got back to our seats for the main event. This had nothing to do with the quality of the racing! 7/30/65 Wikipedia provided this review of the Reading Fairgrounds Speedway. 17 to victory. Freddy Adam racing at the Reading Fairgrounds. 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. 3 1 [1]It featured a regular weekly series of modified, sportsman modified, and late modelstock carracing. Since 1911 the covered grandstand saw many generations pass and echoed the names of many champions. To add your Reading Well, one day my dad Bob Malzahn 9 4 Whats that you ask? WELLER, Curt Hope you find what you are looking for and discover things that you were not! 1 Nevertheless, this CLASSIC Trackchaser Report has finally bubbled to the surface and is now available for everyone to see atwww.randylewis.org. 1 reading fairgrounds memoriesare you required to disclose you were fired. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. SADLER, Blaine I didnt begin writing a complete Trackchaser Report until I had seen about 425 tracks. 6/17/66 MARBURGER, Dave National Geographic Diversity Lifetime Results, National Geographic Diversity Annual Results. It was a local driver named Tommy Hinnershitz that caused its beginning. A typical business trip to the customer service center would have me flying into Philadelphia the night before our meeting. Back . What it DID have to do with was the Eastern time zone! These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. 1 Its very easy to do. 7 7 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. 3/24/68 1 Ask Admins if you aren't sure if you may post something. 10/18/75 #175 of 750 "Midway of Memories: The Reading Fairgound. 52 6/24/77 1 7 Reading had a string of yellow lights that ran overhead from the inside edge of the track to the outside edge of the track. 8 In 1999 construction began at the present-day Fairgrounds on 60 acres in Bern Township off County Welfare Road. For whatever reason (usually not enough time) this trackchasing adventure didnt get posted to my website when I first made the track visit. 10/15/67 not miss a race. 4 Lindy V. Vicariwas a stock-car racing promoter and operator of the Reading Fairgrounds from 1955 until 1979. 5 2 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). Recent Additions to our Reading Fairgrounds Memories Page. 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. 9/21/75 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. 1 SLEIGHT, George 7/14/78 Sitting next to me was a young lad, approx. Reading Fairgrounds was in the AARN weekly and the monthly We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Dave Kelly Next, students should create a graphic organizer to categorize and organize their learning related to the text. 4 1 Back in the day, beginning in 1972 I worked for a company called Richardson-Vicks (RVI). Expenses. Now you know a little bit about my trackchasing addiction. Although I hated eastern time meetings and meetings in general I was tied to the corporate tit. 2 10/25/75 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 3 Thanks for the memories. In 1983 we returned to California where we have resided until this day. MALZAHN, Bobby This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. 1 Prior to 1980 I was a racechaser. When gasoline took the place of the railroad, the Reading Transit Company brought in fleets of buses from other cities. 4/17/70 On Oct. 29, 1978, the last race was held on the half-mile oval. Thats probably the most inconvenient location in the country for seeing tracks in the U.S. 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. Everyone came to share the moment and say goodbye. STUMPF, Don Bobby Braxton 11 SNELLBAKER, Smokey Im calling the shots and that makes all the difference in the world. The Todays adventure was one more of the 2,000 trips that have taken me up, down and around the proverbial long and dusty trackchasing trail. drivers Brightbill would win two more, finishing with 135, and Chamberlain one more, finishing with 92. Your guess is as good as mine! 2 Designed and Developed by Jeff Hornacek, This website uses cookies to improve your experience. 3 9 1 Ronnie Tobias It was from 1949 to 1957 though, that Hinnershsitz put the character into Reading. My earliest memories related to reading I can scarcely remember not being able to read. Keep up the good job with these memory pages. Back WILLIAMSON, Kramer He still races the modifieds and gets a win now and then. If you have any photos from back in the day, send them to me at. Ill try to include them here. BEAVERS, Sammy Reprinted with permission from my Pre-1980 memory! I AM A TRACKCHASER. The Gus Yatron postal facility in Reading is holding a job fair Saturday. 4/1/79 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. YETTER, Richie 5 You want this if you love Racing ! 7 14 Thanks to Concepts II Video Productionsthey did a great job with this. by a coat of paint on his bumper. 3 Friday nights getting out to the parking lot to find our car coated to Speedway Memories The track opened September 24, 1924 and ran until June 29, 1979. 1 The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. To Vault Index Page The ultimate irony, of course, is that it wasnt the last race. 16 ERB, Mike Have you ever in your life heard of trackchasing? I had never given much thought to being a trackchaser. In 1932 a seven-horse pileup killed race jockey Roy McCann of Elizabeth, NJ. 11 I would continue to work for P&G until my retirement in 2002. 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 . 1 The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Pre-1980. Brightbill would win two more, finishing with 135, and Chamberlain one more, finishing with 92. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Frank Sinatra performed at the Fair in 1950. HARWI, Otto 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 was amazed that the east coast folks scheduling these early meetings had ZERO empathy for their west coast visitors. 5/27/77 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. 9 MEAHL, Ken Vince Conrad 1 Revenue. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. 9/10/76 It was the end of an era. Often a classic TR will not have a video and/or photo album attached. The EventVideo Plus 2 EVANS, Jackie 9/17/78 1 3 The first auto racing stunts as a part of the Fair were presented in 1924. GUINTHER, Ronnie Indy champions loved to compete at The Home of Champions. HAVENS, Dick Today where the racetrack once stood is theFairgrounds Square Mall, which opened in 1980 and closed in 2018. 1 1 Remember, this was only the 46, Reading Fairgrounds Speedway, the Home of Champions, Below: Reading Fairgrounds located in Muhlenburg Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania, Since 1911 the covered grandstand saw many generations pass and echoed the names of many champions.

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