BUT, I did, loud and clear. 1 SMITH, Russ Additionally, if you see a website link know that link worked when the TR was originally written. 18 SCHNEIDER, Frankie In 1957, when the opportunity presented itself, Vicari moved his program to Fridays and from that day on, Reading was a Friday night raceway. RICHARDS, Harvey In 1922, after six years of planning, a stage complete with a theatrical unit, including dressing rooms, lounges, etc., was erected. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". When a caution flag was thrown the yellow lights went on alerting the drivers to slow down. 6 FITZCHARLES, Glenn pre-war coupes & coaches to the Pintos and other more modern bodies. Frank Sinatra performed at the Fair in 1950. GERHART, Bobby I didnt begin producing my YouTube videos until 2009 (YouTube channel: RANLAY). 6/28/68 KANTORSKY, Pete 3/12/67 This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. This was during our first time to live in California from 1975-1979. Love 1 5/5/63 http://www.goreadingberks.com/. Souvenir Program of the 175th Anniversary of the Founding of Reading, Pa., And the 150th Anniversary of the Reading Volunteer Fire Department, September 30th to October 6th, 1923. laugh" when the announcer mentioned the sound and that it was a Chevy engine in Racechasing was good enough for me. Thats trackchasingthe way I do it. Ample parking spaces were also provided for motorists. Randy on Facebook 7/30/65 The 80 acres of motor sports memories was being converted into a shopping mall. Since 1911 the covered grandstand saw many generations pass and echoed the names of many champions. 2 5/26/68 2 kid that the lady did not know what she was talking about. The ultimate irony, of course, is that it wasnt the last race. BROMMER, Aaron Starting with Tommy Hinnershitz in the sprints, the tradition carried over to the flatheads and then the modifieds. 10/1/71 1 Or you can visit me on Facebook. Nevertheless, this CLASSIC Trackchaser Report has finally bubbled to the surface and is now available for everyone to see atwww.randylewis.org. 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. 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. On Oct. 29, 1978, the last race was held on the half-mile oval. 9/3/67 Photographers on record,Red Kirsh,Bob Zellers,Carl Hess. 1 Publisher Racing Sanctioning Corp. of America Publication date January 1, 1978 See all details Inspire a love of reading with Amazon Book Box for Kids 1 This was something about killing two birds with one stone which sounds kind of barbaric to me. 14 4 10/22/61 "Now, all these guys are in their 70's and 80's now, but the ones that can still . yrs. Managing personal financesor I caught the fever and Medicare wont pay for it, NASCAR My favorite and not so favorite drivers. It featured a regular weekly series of modified, sportsman modified, and late model stock car racing. Jim Baker Your guess is as good as mine! In 1978, the last fair was held on the Muhlenberg site because the Fairgrounds was sold to developers of the Fairgrounds Square Mall. QUALIO, Dick He brought in the flatheads to compete every Wednesday night. CRONCE, Howie Pre-1980. 1 Dirt Track Cars www.goreadingberks.com website, including a video capturing racing USAC friends and fellow co-workers there. The memories of the writers and poets who haven't forgotten the terrible . 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. 7/21/78 1 He brought in the flatheads to compete every Wednesday night. VOLZ, Tony The track closed in 1979 shortly after my visit. 80 The Reading Fairgrounds was considered to be the best weekly racing program in the country. 2 I AM A TRACKCHASER. 7 One day Ill be in Tucson, the next in maybe Tuscaloosa and the following day in Syracuse. Shares547. 1 2 7/22/75 Title: Reading Fairgrounds Modified Memories [Fairgrounds Racetrack, Berks Co., PA] Author Name: Vicari, Vince (editor) Edition: 1st Edition. 1 GARBER, Harry So many local drivers made the competition tough and exciting. It was the memory of it that inspired his Art . This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 10/17/65 14 MOORE, Harry LESHER, Red The crowd went crazy as they had Thanks for the memories. 2 GILMORE, Charlie WALES, Milford 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. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. More interesting info Reading Fairgrounds was in the AARN weekly and the monthly I didnt begin writing a complete Trackchaser Report until I had seen about 425 tracks. 8/21/64 Bobby Hauer The car is featured at the Reading Fairgrounds Racing Reunion Saturday at the Classic Auto Mall, 6180 Morgantown Road, Morgantown. 1 not allowed in the USAC pits at that time. 5 Reading Fairgrounds Speedway, the Home of Champions Thanks for the memories. 4 Bob Pickell The Reading Fairgrounds Racing Historical Society was created to preserve the memories of the Reading Fairgrounds. 6 17 1 LONG, Tommy The speedway got its nickname long before the stock car champions became stars. 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. Reading Fairgrounds Speedway(19241979) was a one half mile dirt/clay modified race track located inMuhlenburg Township,Berks County,Pennsylvania. 39 2 I developed goreadingberks.com around 1998 for the purpose of presenting information about the History of the Catholic Faith in Reading. 9/24/78 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. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. I was amazed that the east coast folks scheduling these early meetings had ZERO empathy for their west coast visitors. 2 ROMER JR, Joe These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Am now a Tony Raines, 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. It does not store any personal data. EPPOLITE, Frank 1 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. Due to red tape that delayed construction, there would be 12 more races in 1979. The binding is tight. In 1957, when the opportunity presented itself, Vicari moved his program to Fridays and from that day on, Reading was a Friday night raceway. Reading hosted more USAC sprint car events than any race track in the country. STONG, Jay One day Ill be in Tucson, the next in maybe Tuscaloosa and the following day in Syracuse. 2 Pages. 2 BUSS, Del 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. 27 Planning necessitated the visualizing of a proposed building site in terms of the possibility of expansion rather than of removal and rebuilding. Several subsequent purchases increased the area to approximately 78 acres. 1 1 Copyright 2021 GoReadingBerks | All Rights Reserved |. 8/26/77 2 It was from 1949 to 1957 though, that Hinnershsitz put the character into Reading. 10 3 18 This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. My memories of that trip are few. WILLIAMS, Bill 1 10/6/63 7/14/78 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. 9/17/78 Indy champions loved to compete at The Home of Champions. 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. To add your Reading 3 BRENN JR, Ken Donny and I also raced, but the smaller version go 6/16/74 5 DECKER, Charlie 3 9/13/69 MULLIGAN, Whip 1 HENDRICKSON, Lee The last full season of racing was held at the fairgrounds in 1978. Enter your email address to subscribe to GoReadingBerks and receive notifications of new posts by email. We knew the dangers of racing as we were there when Jud Larson and 2 was standing now, no one was in their sits as we all were yelling Local business owner A. T. Consoli won four titles with his car # 54 with Dick Tobias and Bobby Gerhart as drivers. in dust. 2 Fairgrounds Memories - Click Ask wulliebroon about Altmuehltal-Radweg. COZZE, Frank It was a local driver named Tommy Hinnershitz that caused its beginning. MALZAHN, Bobby That October Sunday in 78 made it official. 1 He was one of several drivers killed at the Fairgrounds over the years. 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. Tried to explain the difference but gave up when Dad told the lad to go get something to 1 The caution flew with about 10-11 laps to go, and those 1 1 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. The track closed in 1979 shortly after my visit. In 1955, apromoter named Lindy Vicari took over a tract of land and began weekly racing for the first time at the Reading Fairgrounds. Im thinking there were a few strings of these lights around the track. 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. 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. No spam, no businesses and no links to other sites. I trackchase. 4 were up you did not get out of the pits. As we were reminiscing about the 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. Back Brightbill high, Chamberlain low, coming off the 4th turn its now a On April 13, 2016, Hull Property Group took over the Fairgrounds Square Mall, with plans to revitalize the mall. 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. 1 ELLIS, Billy BLACKLEY, Johnny The EventVideo Plus In 1947 a building designed for roller skating was added to the facilities. Brightbill, Chamberlain, 17 MAYBERRY, Tom Let's stay updated! 5 He still races the modifieds and gets a win now and then. Do others trackchase? Its very easy to do. Facebook Twitter Google+ YouTube. While Im homesick and now living in California since 1972, a road trip back will be soon in the cards. 1 29 1 My name is Randy Lewis (above with Hatem racing federation president Tunisia). Wikipedia provided this review of the Reading Fairgrounds Speedway. There you have it. 7 Since 1911 the covered grandstand saw many generations pass and echoed the names of many champions. 1 10 2 OPPERMAN, Jan 1 38 Junior Mikosz I didnt begin producing my YouTube videos until 2009 (YouTube channel: RANLAY). Peggy Snyder 01/31/07 DETWEILER, Ralph 2019 Ted Fund Donors By this time, the crowd It was there we met Parnelli Jones and Joe 714 This Print is personally signed and numbered in pencil by John Dusko. WINKS, Jimmy KELLY, Dave Im not sure of the year, but the big rivalry on BALOGACH, Paul FORRETTE, Maynard 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. $14.99. We usually had 7 a.m. eastern time breakfast meetings. 1 Randy Lewis 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. 2 the Vault, and of the Reading Fairgrounds to join their great organization and support KREITZ SR, Don WIMBLE, Bill 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 BOTTCHER, Bobby What it DID have to do with was the Eastern time zone! 6 2 They dont. Typically these will be stories from tracks I visited five years or ten years or more ago. 1 Membership is only $15 per year or a life-time membership of $200. 2 7/26/68 Pickell Jr. We would like to thank The Loaded with pics and bios of the drivers. In 1983 we returned to California where we have resided until this day. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. 1 you were when the 3 mins. LYNCH, Ed 5 6/19/64 Whitey Kerschner 9 lives in Zephyrhills,Fl and loves to talk about the good old days. 9 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. Billy Deskovick In 1955, apromoter named Lindy Vicari took over a tract of land and began weekly racing for the first time at the Reading Fairgrounds. 3 Back in the day, beginning in 1972 I worked for a company called Richardson-Vicks (RVI). RVI had a customer service operation in Ft. Washington, Pennsylvania. of about Reading PA from. riding high in the turns of Brightbill. GEORGE, Del 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. 1 4/9/77 Starting with Tommy Hinnershitz in the sprints, the tradition carried over to the flatheads and then the modifieds. 4 2 Russ Delp 5 2 Mike Meals 1 Works Cited. Send post to email address, comma separated for multiple emails. 20 1 I do have one memory of looking at the cover of a paperback book. It was henceforth proclaimed throughout the ranks, to win at Reading is beating the best, but it was tough. was really wound up and getting louder. BAKER, Jim For whatever reason (usually not enough time) this trackchasing adventure didnt get posted to my website when I first made the track visit. At the Reading Fairgrounds, we seldom missed a week of attending. MEAHL, Ken 4 They are looking to fill all types of positions. 3 1 DeSANTIS, Meme BOTZ, Johnny 17 favorite # 26 Red Coffin. 1 SLADE, Ron 1 Eddie Pratt 4 BROWNING, Hal 9/7/75 Great drivers, great fans & great memories!!! All of that, however, was a mere epilogue, like a wave in the distance. The first auto racing stunts as a part of the Fair were presented in 1924. Thanks to Concepts II Video Productionsthey did a great job with this. The 80 acres of motor sports memories was being converted into a shopping mall. 1 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. 1 4/8/72 drag race to the start/finish line. The Reading Fair had it's first fair in 1854 at Penn's Commons, in what is now City Park. I had never given much thought to being a trackchaser. DELP, Russ 133, 42 more than the guy in second place in career wins and in that grand finale, Gerry Chamberlain. 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. Ver ms de Reading Fairgrounds Speedway Resurrection 2013 en Facebook. So many local drivers made the competition tough and exciting. 1 3 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. 6/30/78 1 This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. KELLY, Joe "When all four wheels are off the ground and you're upside down, there's not much you can do but . 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. 1 YOUNG, Bruce DEAN, Dizzy Thumbnails Roll View Frankie Schneider My earliest memories related to reading I can scarcely remember not being able to read. As a fan of the racetrack I now live in Florida and go to Volusia 1 8/5/77 In 1965, the United States Auto Club (USAC) ran its first night race and also began scheduling five shows a year. HUBBARD, Johnny It wasnt until 1949, though, that the Fairgrounds started to gain a characteristic of its own. racing I saw at Nazareth over the years, this one particular visit I am the face behind GoReadingBerks. I was born and raised in Reading, PA. Today, many of the fans who frequented the Fairgrounds during those heydays, as well as many of the drivers who once competed at the famed half-mile, will gather at the Fairgrounds Square Mall to relive what the memories as the 25th annual Racing Legends Reunion & Car Show opens. 9/3/65 As I came out of the theater, though, I decided that it would be fun to update a . 1 6/25/78 10 11 READING PA FAIRGROUNDS Modified Memories Dirt Track Kenny Brightbill RSCA - $40.80. 10/25/75 1 3/31/63 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. 12 2 1 Great fair memories made every year . 2 4/10/71 Editors note: This is a CLASSIC Trackchaser Report. GRIFFIN, Pee Wee Absolutely. I get the chance to meet people from all over the world. LAST WIN Im calling the shots and that makes all the difference in the world. 1 2 Larry Voss This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. RFRHS: 1 4 Below: Reading Fairgrounds located in Muhlenburg Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania It was a local driver named Tommy Hinnershitz that caused its beginning. 11 For the first eight years Reading only ran one show a year, usually during the annual Reading Fair. This was during our first time to live in California from 1975-1979. 1 Its simply a Trackchaser Report that comes from my trackchasing archives. READING FAIRGROUNDS MODIFIED Memories Yearbook 1980-History of modified stock. Movie-1-Chapter-3 Tom Luce 10K views 7. 1 65 Drivers Dick Quallio waves as they near the finish and at the line it The ultimate irony, of course, is that it wasnt the last race. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Source: www.goreadingberks.com 5 any interesting pieces caught my attention while walking around the Art Fair. 3 7 2 When the structure gave way, in 1979, to a multi-million dollar shopping mall, it was only memories that remained. GRBAC, Mike 4/4/70 The purpose of the earliest fairs in Berks County was to bring farm goods to city dwellers. On the green, they took off Jackie McClaughlin 2 EVANS, Jackie 8/8/69 The flag Below: Lindy Vicari, shown below with pageant winners (unable to he identified), operated the Reading Fairgrounds from 1955 to 1979. 1 Buzzie now 4 action from the mid 70's. 2 These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. 3 When the series of Fairs was in the making at the Muhlenberg site, racing had become so popular that one of the first items of business was the location and building of a track.
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