reading fairgrounds memories

As a fan of the racetrack I now live in Florida and go to Volusia 7/30/65 ERB, Mike Back in the day, beginning in 1972 I worked for a company called Richardson-Vicks (RVI). 7/10/77 Red Riegel were killed in the first turn racing sprint cars. 2 Additionally, if you see a website link know that link worked when the TR was originally written. Freddy Brightbill 715 2 SCHNEIDER, Frankie Thats why I fell asleep during the racing at Reading! This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The ultimate irony, of course, is that it wasnt the last race. Women were Or you can visit me on Facebook. JOHNSON, Jack put "Reading Memories" in the Subject Line. 1 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. KOCH, Paul 1 FITZCHARLES, Paul 2 VARNER, Donnie 4/3/71 46 Mike has been involved in the establishment of the Reading Fairgrounds Racing Historical Society, founded on February 4, 2004. kid that the lady did not know what she was talking about. side, neither one could get the advantage on the other. 3 It was delightful to see young ones browse through a variety of books. 1 9/24/78 Long 1 It was the memory of it that inspired his Art . 4/11/70 17 TRAUTMAN, Bob Remembering Reading Fairgrounds Speedway #2819. WELLER, Curt SHIRE, Charlie 27 You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. 2 2 What it DID have to do with was the Eastern time zone! 9 Am now a Tony Raines, Since 1999, the Fair has been moved to Bern Township, on Hilltop Road. Pickell Jr. We would like to thank The 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. 3/25/77 2 Al Tasnady Again, in the end of the 1962 season, another trial modified event was held. Indy champions loved to compete at The Home of Champions. 5/18/75 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. It will run through Feb. 27. Was led onto his career from some other "old time" The links below hold information on the association and cars. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". 10 5/20/79 Down the backstetch it was still a dead 10 1 3 10 The Reading Fair had it's first fair in 1854 at Penn's Commons, in what is now City Park. USAC had run more sprint car races at Reading than any track in the country when it closed in 1979. Students can choose an appropriate type of graphic . 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. Russ Delp 7/21/78 Peoria Old Timers Racing Club (P.O.R.C.) TOBIAS, Dick Whitey Kerschner 2 WILLIAMSON, Kramer Jim Baker I was living in California at the time. My best guess on the timing would have been 1976-1978. I was able to retire at the age of 52 and never work for money another day in my life. Dizzie Dean Hello, from the Reading Stock Car Association we have the ultimate book 115708529208 REINERT, Noot REUTIMANN, Buzzie 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. 8/9/68 DESKOVICH, Billy The Gus Yatron postal facility in Reading is holding a job fair Saturday. Being a regular at Nazareth Speedway the most exposure I had to the 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. 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. When I finally did get to bed in the east it was commonly 2 or 3 a.m. eastern time, again 11 p.m. or midnight California time. For the first eight years Reading only ran one show a year, usually during the annual Reading Fair. BRIGHTBILL, Kenny 26 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. in dust. 3 2 Thanks for the memories. 10 SCOTT, Tighe 3/12/67 4 14 6 1 By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Seeing many of the locals race with the best of USAC was always Eventually with the changing times, the racing transitioned from horse into motor vehicle racing. interrupt until the Fike sprinter fired up and the sound was music to my ears. Speedway Park. 1 6/19/64 Ron Tobias DERR, Earl When a caution flag was thrown the yellow lights went on alerting the drivers to slow down. 5 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. 80 1 2 TOBIAS, Ronnie Photographer:Joe Simpkins - Provided by:Bobby 2 8 Walt Olsen Keep up the good job with these memory pages. 3 ZIMMERMAN, Dick For whatever reason (usually not enough time) this trackchasing adventure didnt get posted to my website when I first made the track visit. 18 20 10/21/62 9/4/67 7 BAILEY, Charlie 1 Shares547. A minor bit of sfuffing to extremes, but overall, a much nicer copy than usually encountered. Frankie Schneider Below: Lindy Vicari, shown below with pageant winners (unable to he identified), operated the Reading Fairgrounds from 1955 to 1979. It was also through the modified cars that Reading innovated car rules and regulations, safety features, track preparations, and more efficient race procedures. If you love Reading Fairgrounds, visit 1 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. With all the great We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. the front. yrs. HULBERT, Mert When I got to my hotel it was difficult to get to sleep with the three hour time zone change. there. 2 6 With the mall becoming too crowded, the Fair moved to Kutztown while Fair organizers searched for a new site. KOZAK, Johnny I had never given much thought to being a trackchaser. 16 6/30/74 22 REAKES, Sammy For whatever reason (usually not enough time) this trackchasing adventure didnt get posted to my website when I first made the track visit. Mainly during the 1970s, my friend, Donny Fisher (passed away years FELTY, Elvin 3/23/69 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. 7/22/77 5 3/31/63 By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. We usually had 7 a.m. eastern time breakfast meetings. 18 10/25/75 7 BOTZ, Johnny EPPIHIMER, Bob My average trip covers 5,000 miles and more. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. 2 6/4/65 Bob Pickell 2 - $156.06. 6 Although I hated eastern time meetings and meetings in general I was tied to the corporate tit. I was living in California at the time. Tried to explain the difference but gave up when Dad told the lad to go get something to I am a trackchaser. 19 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. STEIF, Billy 10 WISMER SR, Kenny Frank Sinatra performed at the Fair in 1950. FREYER, Karl SCHELL, Tim 1 Your guess is as good as mine! I do that kind of thing all the time. Joel Wessner 5 16 After having gotten a terrible nights sleep getting up at 3 a.m. my time was terrible. 11 The Reading Fair. #175 of 750 "Midway of Memories: The Reading Fairgound. 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. Since 1911 the covered grandstand saw many generations pass and echoed the names of many champions. 1 1 $0. Reprinted with permission from my Pre-1980 memory! Designed and Developed by Jeff Hornacek, This website uses cookies to improve your experience. 2 Once you begin researching my trip itineraries from my website, yes you will want to do that, you will be surprised. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Lap after lap, side by The 80 acres of motor sports memories was being converted into a shopping mall. 2 "Memories should have been collected and submitted to the scientific community. . 29 It featured a regular weekly series of modified, sportsman modified, and late model stock car racing. Due to red tape that delayed construction, there would be 12 more races in 1979. Neck and neck through the turns, 3 Now you know a little bit about my trackchasing addiction. 2 Don Kreitz STONG, Jay 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. 17 I had never given much thought to being a trackchaser. Rags Carter Glenn Fitzcharles It went like this lap after lap after lap. 1 to hear from people who remember the "old times". 5 4 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. Do they share their experiences? 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. If so, please feel free to share your memories in the comments section below. Again, in the end of the 1962 season, another trial modified event was held. 1 Typically these will be stories from tracks I visited five years or ten years or more ago. 8/26/77 Bob Siedel If so, please feel free to share your memories in the comments section below. What the heck does Classic mean? 14 EARNSHAW, Leigh 2 30 1 13 KENNEDY, Beader READING FAIRGROUNDS MODIFIED VICTORIES Jay Stong SHEETZ, Tommy Copyright 2023 Randy Lewis - All Right Reserved. asphalt track called Ric Ra in Nazareth, Pa. Mario was always Have you ever in your life heard of trackchasing? 1 Worlds #1 Trackchaser He brought in the flatheads to compete every Wednesday night. Everyone came to share the moment and say goodbye. One big contribution to the fairs success was the accessibility of transportation accommodations. 1 2014 Reading Fairgrounds Racing Historical Society Elected Officials 2 DELP, Russ 1 Click on the #31 Buenos!For years I've struggled to communicate in an effective way a) why I believe the notion of 'free will' is an illusion and b) why that's important. SMITH, Russ Additionally, if you see a website link know that link worked when the TR was originally written. Dave Marburger Buzzie now He brought in the flatheads to compete every Wednesday night. RVI had a customer service operation in Ft. Washington, Pennsylvania. Pre-1980. Hundreds of photos of drivers and their car. Date of experience: September 2012. and I always loved racing and I still watch any of the auto races on Everyone came to share the moment and say goodbye. The flag The Reading Fairgrounds was considered to be the best weekly racing program in the country. Please join the RFRHS to help preserve the great memories. 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. Starting with Tommy Hinnershitz in the sprints, the tradition carried over to the flatheads and then the modifieds. 1 14 CHAMBERLAIN, Gerald document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); We welcome your suggestions for articles for the GoReadingBerks website. 1 RUDY, Jack Most of the racetracks in the U.S. are located well over 1,000 miles from where I live. Donnie Varner 1 In 1961, Reading ran its first special modified event in which Bob Malzahn went home the victor. COZZE, Frank 6/24/79 Golly, did Dad wake up then - told the . 9 If so, please feel free to share your memories in the comments section below. 2 We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Reading Fairgrounds and Reading Pennsylvania I grew up in the city of Reading , I still have great memories and we also had the Reading Fairgorunds Speedway ! 20,000 spectators jammed the place to. 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. 9/9/66 The completed Fairgrounds consisted of exhibition buildings, a racetrack with a grandstand and amusement rides. We encourage the fans of CRONCE, Howie Reading Fairgrounds Modified Memories Paperback - January 1, 1978 by Racing Sanctioning Corp. (Author) Paperback from $95.00 1 Used from $95.00 224 pages. of about Reading PA from 8 It was the end of an era. 1 When the structure gave way, in 1979, to a multi-million dollar shopping mall, it was only memories that remained. All the good and all the bad, more than a half-century of blood, sweat and cheers gone. 6 2 In 1947 a building designed for roller skating was added to the facilities. Hope you enjoy my "way back when" little tid-bits. Reprinted with permission from my Pre-1980 memory! Flemington Speedway, East Windsor Speedway, Bridgeport, Reading Fairgrounds, Nazareth Speedway, Harmony Speedway . 59 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. Below: Reading Fairgrounds Grandstand. 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. 1 Hall of Fame Member, Thats all folks! Local business owner A. T. Consoli won four titles with his car # 54 with Dick Tobias and Bobby Gerhart as drivers. Also a few other Speedway shots from Big Diamond,Penn National,Bridgeport. 6/19/77 Reading racetrack he said he loved the 3 min. 6 1 Enter your email address to subscribe to GoReadingBerks and receive notifications of new posts by email. 6/22/75 You want this if you love Racing ! My grandson and I went to the World of Outlaws and 9 It wasnt until 1949, though, that the Fairgrounds started to gain a characteristic of its own. 1 18 1 In 1932, three shows were held. 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. McANDREW, Tommy 10/3/65 4/30/76 2 19 PAXTON, Lynn For almost 38 years, Myron Nealey has focused on the technical aspects of delivering water throughout the Denver metro area as a reclamation and hydraulics engineer for Denver Water. 135 3 was one of the first races I ever attended. Meme Desantis 1 Reading 1 11 From Staff Reports News-Post Staff; May 13, 2012 May 13, 2012 Updated Mar 11, 2016; 0; Facebook; KREITZ SR, Don 9/7/75 The 6/24/77 Reading Fairgrounds Memories Photographer: Joe Simpkins - Provided by: Bobby Pickell Jr. We would like to thank The Reading Fairgrounds Racing Historical Society and members Mike Shaub, Ken Johnson, Alan Carter and many, many others have been very supportive of our efforts here in the Vault. All-Time Victory Leaders 4 2 That October Sunday in 78 made it official. 43 Dirt Track Cars Brightbill, Chamberlain, The Reading Fairgrounds Racing Historical Society was created to preserve the. Photo albums were sort of hit or miss during the early years of my trackchasing. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Jackie McClaughlin