GAHAN, Ernie 5 4 5/5/63 Indy champions loved to compete at The Home of Champions. 11 One day Ill be in Tucson, the next in maybe Tuscaloosa and the following day in Syracuse. Specialties: The Barnyard BBQ Restaurant, now with three locations, smokes it all. WISMER SR, Kenny In 1961, Reading ran its first special modified event in which Bob Malzahn went home the victor. 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. The ultimate irony, of course, is that it wasnt the last race. 8 5 This profile needs more info. Kenny Brightbill 6 Promoters brought the finest racecar drivers in the nation to the Reading area. 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. So many local drivers made the competition tough and exciting. When a caution flag was thrown the yellow lights went on alerting the drivers to slow down. 2 7/3/77 These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. A lot of these races were won by #1 Tobias, # 76 Chamberlain, # 57 7 WEAVER, Mark 7 I didnt begin producing my YouTube videos until 2009 (YouTube channel: RANLAY). reading pa obituaries 2021. Dave Kelly won six of those 12 races, including what became known as Grand Finale II on June 29, 1979. 6 1 You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Thank you for reading! SASSAMAN, Dave 16 SHIRK, Darryl SNELLBAKER, Smokey The summary should include the main idea and important takeaways related to that main idea. GILLETTE, Don SPENCER, Ed Figuring out the logistics of a trip like that is as much fun for me as watching a figure 8 race. 1 By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data. not allowed in the USAC pits at that time. 5 1 1 7 5 Ralph Smith 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 . 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 1 LONG, Tommy 6 1 great modifieds, we loved watching the sprint and midgets race Could not help overhearing him, did not 7 1 put "Reading Memories" in the Subject Line. 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. 7/14/78 Whip Mulligan READING FAIRGROUNDS MODIFIED Memories Yearbook 1980-History of modified stock. 5 SLADE, Ron Dirt Track Cars Glenn Fitzcharles 8 1 10 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 "The throttle stuck." The modified stock car Braxton was hired to drive flipped onto its roof. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Racechasing was good enough for me. I was amazed that the east coast folks scheduling these early meetings had ZERO empathy for their west coast visitors. 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. 1 This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. TOBIAS, Dick 5 10 For the first eight years Reading only ran one show a year, usually during the annual Reading Fair. 1 My name is Randy Lewis (above with Hatem racing federation president Tunisia). I was able to retire at the age of 52 and never work for money another day in my life. 1 3 The first auto racing stunts as a part of the Fair were presented in 1924. At midnight in the east it was only 9 p.m. in California (Pacific Time). 8/21/77 It was the end of an era. 7/21/78 3 As a racechaser my prime motivation was to go where the best racers and the best racing was happening. 1 9/5/75 With the mall becoming too crowded, the Fair moved to Kutztown while Fair organizers searched for a new site. If so, please feel free to share your memories in the comments section below. 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. National Geographic Diversity Lifetime Results, National Geographic Diversity Annual Results. 1 Today, as a trackchaser, I commonly get up at some very early hours. 715 1 4 2 2 10 demeanor make him a favorite. 1 1 "When all four wheels are off the ground and you're upside down, there's not much you can do but . He was one of several drivers killed at the Fairgrounds over the years. Red Coffin 4 were here. 3 3 Here or email us at 3wide@optonline.net 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. Promoters brought the finest racecar drivers in the nation to the Reading area. Since that time the site has grown to provide information about historical sites, landmarks, museums, parks, hotels and more. 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. 8/21/64 Bobby Gerhart FRENCH, Ralph DRIVER pictorials, several of which I still have. LAST WIN FOR SALE! The track closed in 1979 shortly after my visit. WARREN, Smokey 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. I trackchase. Billy Osmun Reading Modified Top Ten Performance Index Reading Fairgrounds Speedway(19241979) was a one half mile dirt/clay modified race track located inMuhlenburg Township,Berks County,Pennsylvania. If so, please feel free to share your memories in the comments section below. For whatever reason (usually not enough time) this trackchasing adventure didnt get posted to my website when I first made the track visit. On the green, they took off 1 He still races the modifieds and gets a win now and then. I dont mind to much. 6/17/66 riding high in the turns of Brightbill. 3 Eddie Pratt TAYLOR, Larry 1 WALES, Milford 1 reading fairgrounds memoriesare you required to disclose you were fired. Will Cagle 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. KANTORSKY, Pete 14 Reading Fairgrounds Speedway Open Document. 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. On Saturday May 21st, 2022, a plaque commemorating the Reading Fairgrounds & Speedway was ceremonially dedicated to the drivers who lost their lives there. There was the sight of promoter Lindy Vicari in his grader, working the track surface to the optimum of tackiness the good kind. 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. Photographer:Joe Simpkins - Provided by:Bobby GRBAC, Mike 9 Harry Moore 1 BRIGHTBILL, Freddy 7 4 Don Kreitz where he loved it best. CAMERON, Alex I didnt think so. were all about. Where we work. HIEBER, Gary 1 When I got to my hotel it was difficult to get to sleep with the three hour time zone change. 5 front. MILLER, Paul 6 "Now, all these guys are in their 70's and 80's now, but the ones that can still . Iniciar sesin Olvidaste tu cuenta? 1 http://www.goreadingberks.com/. 7/10/64 This was during the 2000 trackchasing season. 2 In 1947 a building designed for roller skating was added to the facilities. BREEDING, Walt 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. drag race to the start/finish line. Accueil; A propos de nous; Nos produits; Contactez-nous; reading fairgrounds memories. 2014 Reading Fairgrounds Racing Historical Society Elected Officials by a coat of paint on his bumper. BUSS, Del GEORGE, Del The memories of the writers and poets who haven't forgotten the terrible . DESKOVICH, Billy 20,000 spectators jammed the place to. McLAUGHLIN, Jackie My name is Randy Lewis (above with Hatem racing federation president Tunisia). 5/18/75 Nineteen Eighty-Four (also published as 1984) is a dystopian social science fiction novel and cautionary tale by English writer George Orwell.It was published on 8 June 1949 by Secker & Warburg as Orwell's ninth and final book completed in his lifetime. Also besides the 1 LAPE, Dave BROMMER, Aaron In 1983 we returned to California where we have resided until this day. 6 716 7 in dust. $6,042. 714 Expenses. This print measures 32" x 26". Long Who can forget the Keep it up! LESHER, Red READING PA FAIRGROUNDS Modified Memories Dirt Track Kenny Brightbill RSCA - $40.80. TILLMAN, Herbie 3 Your guess is as good as mine! 4 Speedway Park. Ronnie Tobias tipton, iowa obituaries. DeSANTIS, Meme DeGROOT, Fred 3 3 WOLFORD, Gary 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. 1 1 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. 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. 20 6 Russ Delp 1 DISSINGER, Butch The Reading Fairgrounds was considered to be the best weekly racing program in the country. I hope you enjoy it. The 80 acres of motor sports memories was being converted into a shopping mall. Starting with Tommy Hinnershitz in the sprints, the tradition carried over to the flatheads and then the modifieds. 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. not miss a race. The white flag was heat as they enter turn 3-4. 6/30/74 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. 1 I had heard tales of the packed houses Reading got, and this night 2 3 Bobby Braxton John Kozak I hail from the sleepy little village by the sea, San Clemente, California. If it is your nonprofit, add geographic service areas to create a map on your profile. 17 to victory. 133, 42 more than the guy in second place in career wins and in that grand finale, Gerry Chamberlain. Jim Kirk 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. A minor bit of sfuffing to extremes, but overall, a much nicer copy than usually encountered. MEALS, Mike OLSEN, Walt Ver ms de Reading Fairgrounds Speedway Resurrection 2013 en Facebook. If so, please feel free to share your memories in the comments section below. This was during the 2000 trackchasing season. 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 1 KELLY, Mike SEIDEL, Bob 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. I live in southern California. There was the sight of promoter Lindy Vicari in his grader, working the track surface to the optimum of tackiness the good kind. JOHNSON, Jack Have you ever in your life heard of trackchasing? The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". 2 2 12 26 Was led onto his career from some other "old time" Kenny Brightbillis the Reading Fairgrounds Speedway all-time wins record holder with 135 track victories. BLATT, Bobby EMERICH, Bob 1 14 5/9/65 In 1979 a limited racing series was held at the Fairgrounds as legal entanglements delayed development of the mall. 4 9 1ST WIN 7 TOTAL When a caution flag was thrown the yellow lights went on alerting the drivers to slow down. 2 Your guess is as good as mine! Home; About. I take 35-40 of those trips each season. 4 2 So many local drivers made the competition tough and exciting. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. 12 1 BRENN JR, Ken 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. One story I do remember well, was the fact that I had to sit in the grandstand. Mainly during the 1970s, my friend, Donny Fisher (passed away years Johnny Botz 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. 2 I didnt begin writing a complete Trackchaser Report until I had seen about 425 tracks. 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. I AM A TRACKCHASER. 1 7 Or you can visit me on Facebook. KWWeller 03.06.18 Local business owner A. T. Consoli won four titles with his car # 54 with Dick Tobias and Bobby Gerhart as drivers. 3 COX, Dan 14 It was also through the modified cars that Reading innovated car rules and regulations, safety features, track preparations, and more efficient race procedures. Your guess is as good as mine! 14 . RAFTER, Bill Tried to explain the difference but gave up when Dad told the lad to go get something to 2 3 EVANS, Jackie 1 TIE (1st) Freddy Adam & Jackie Evans 8/13/1967 4 All the good and all the bad, more than a half-century of blood, sweat and cheers gone. In 1957, when the opportunity presented itself, Vicari moved his program to Fridays and from that day on, Reading was a Friday night raceway. 4 This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The links below hold information on the association and cars. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); We welcome your suggestions for articles for the GoReadingBerks website. 4 1 4/5/64 LINGLE, Joe SOLOMON, Larry When the structure gave way, in 1979, to a multi-million dollar shopping mall, it was only memories that remained. 1 BAKER, Jim KOZAK, Johnny My memories of that trip are few. CLEAVER, Dennis (BILL UHRICH - READING EAGLE) The organization was founded. Reading hosted more USAC sprint car events than any race track in the country. Shares547. My earliest memories related to reading I can scarcely remember not being able to read. 6 BUNTING, Harold 1 1 35 1 1 You can print money in the privacy of your own home! 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. 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. Local business owner A. T. Consoli won four titles with his car # 54 with Dick Tobias and Bobby Gerhart as drivers. 10 KOCH, Paul 1 LODER, Don ago) and myself were part of the faithful who attended any types of