8 2 It was primarily a local division, but large purses and crowds forced Lindy to stay with the flatheads long after other area speedways were already running the powerful modified racing cars. A very difficult to find print. I trackchase. VOLZ, Tony 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. 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 1 This was during the 2000 trackchasing season. STUMPF, Don "I have worked diligently for 50 years, collecting memories from survivors," she told Wednesday a news conference. 6 VAN HORN, Carl I trackchase. BURKHART, Barry 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. The summary should include the main idea and important takeaways related to that main idea. Brightbill would win two more, finishing with 135, and Chamberlain one more, finishing with 92. SEIDEL, Bob In 1983 we returned to California where we have resided until this day. there. 39 Reading 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. Remember, this was only the 46thdifferent track I had ever seen. 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. 1 Tommy Hinnershitzhad wins at the track early in his career. 5/15/64 GEORGE, Del 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. 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. 19 Reading Fairgrounds Modified Stars Photos 4x6 Glossy Brightbill,Chamb 1975 Reading Fairgrounds Program Gerald Chamberlain Dick Tobias Reading Fairgrounds Modified Memories Book 1975-76 Syracuse Fairgrounds Schaefer 100 Super Dirt Week Dirt Modified 1975 Reading Fairgrounds Program Kenny Brightbill Dick Tobias 2 and got through the heats and consolations. were still neck and neck. When gasoline took the place of the railroad, the Reading Transit Company brought in fleets of buses from other cities. 1 8 From time to time I would visit this office. When I got to my hotel it was difficult to get to sleep with the three hour time zone change. Wish I would have had eyes in the back of my head when Joe Pittman, the father and and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at AbeBooks.com. 1 + $6.00 shipping. 8/8/71 3/12/67 1 There was the sight of promoter Lindy Vicari in his grader, working the track surface to the optimum of tackiness the good kind. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. 9 There were some sacrifices but there was a reward. I do have one memory of looking at the cover of a paperback book. LAST WIN Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. The Reading Fair had it's first fair in 1854 at Penn's Commons, in what is now City Park. History also. 1 11 Photo albums were sort of hit or miss during the early years of my trackchasing. WARREN, Smokey Got it? Since 1911 the covered grandstand saw many generations pass and echoed the names of many champions. ELY, George MAYBERRY, Tom $6,042. 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). Subscribe to my Newsletter for new posts, tips, photos & more. 1 Pickell Jr. We would like to thank The DELP, Russ 9 When a caution flag was thrown the yellow lights went on alerting the drivers to slow down. BROWNING, Hal 6 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. Prior to 1980 I was a racechaser. 1 9/10/76 Promoters brought the finest racecar drivers in the nation to the Reading area. FORRETTE, Maynard 1 3 The Reading Fairgrounds Racing Historical Society was created to preserve the memories of the Reading Fairgrounds. VARNER, Donnie Nevertheless, this CLASSIC Trackchaser Report has finally bubbled to the surface and is now available for everyone to see atwww.randylewis.org. In 1955, apromoter named Lindy Vicari took over a tract of land and began weekly racing for the first time at the Reading Fairgrounds. GILMORE, Charlie 10/22/77 1 01.15.16 1 QUALIO, Dick Larry Voss 133, 42 more than the guy in second place in career wins and in that grand finale, Gerry Chamberlain. I take 35-40 of those trips each season. 4 8 9/7/75 Since 1911 the covered grandstand saw many generations pass and echoed the names of many champions. The Reading Fairgrounds Racing Historical Society was created to preserve the. 15 In 1957, when the opportunity presented itself, Vicari moved his program to Fridays and from that day on, Reading was a Friday night raceway. EARNSHAW, Leigh That car has been restored. Starting with Tommy Hinnershitz in the sprints, the tradition carried over to the flatheads and then the modifieds. Read all about Kenny Brightbill, Dick Tobias, Bobby Gerhart. was standing now, no one was in their sits as we all were yelling Have had 2 men email 1 Ron Tobias 21 7 Pre-1980. 16 To Vault Index Page 3 They built a Horse Race Track and grandstands which were opened to the public in 1916. 7/22/75 18 Open Document. My average trip covers 5,000 miles and more. 17 1 7 Although I hated eastern time meetings and meetings in general I was tied to the corporate tit. Ver ms de Reading Fairgrounds Speedway Resurrection 2013 en Facebook. Europeans faces of Argentina in the twenties: Einwanderungsland Argentinian writers during a discussion in Frankfurt Book Fair Blues: O ARGENTINA! 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. I had never given much thought to being a trackchaser. 20 10/22/77 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. Hope you find what you are looking for and discover things that you were not! Drivers such as A. J. Foyt, Roger McCluskey, Jim Hurtubise, Jud Larson, Johnny Rutherford, and Bobby Unser took over after Tommy retired in 1960. After having gotten a terrible nights sleep getting up at 3 a.m. my time was terrible. 5 you were when the 3 mins. Hal Browning 1 In 1961, Reading ran its first special modified event in which Bob Malzahn went home the victor. 1 4/26/74 We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Absolutely. This was during the 2000 trackchasing season. 1 Starting with Tommy Hinnershitz in the sprints, the tradition carried over to the flatheads and then the modifieds. The purpose of the earliest fairs in Berks County was to bring farm goods to city dwellers. Essay Sample Check Writing Quality. 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. Thanks again, Peggy Snyder at plsnyder@ptd.net - welcome all emails and/or 7 1 5 1 SMITH, Russ 20,000 spectators jammed the place to. 16 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. It wasnt until 1949, though, that the Fairgrounds started to gain a characteristic of its own. 1 Today, as a trackchaser, I commonly get up at some very early hours. Mike has been involved in the establishment of the Reading Fairgrounds Racing Historical Society, founded on February 4, 2004. 7 1 6 EPPIHIMER, Bob I do remember seeing something at the track that I had never seen before. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. If you have any photos from back in the day, send them to me atRanlay@yahoo.com. what about Buzzie Reutimann ? REUTIMANN, Wayne (BILL UHRICH - READING EAGLE) The organization was founded. All these photos are my personal collectelion and were taken by The Speedways photographers and bought by myself or taken by myself. It was the end of an era. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. 1 3 A typical business trip to the customer service center would have me flying into Philadelphia the night before our meeting. A great variety of amusements to appeal to the taste of everyone who came through the gate was provided. below, and then scroll down 3/4's of the page, and you'll be able to start the video: A lot of these races were won by #1 Tobias, # 76 Chamberlain, # 57 4/11/70 1 1 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. 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 2 MILLER, Paul REINERT, Noot Drivers such as A. J. Foyt, Roger McCluskey, Jim Hurtubise, Jud Larson, Johnny Rutherford, and Bobby Unser took over after Tommy retired in 1960. Ask Admins if you aren't sure if you may post something. 1 Golly, did Dad wake up then - told the 4 As the feature went on, both of them were working their way toward Shorty Kerschner 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. 4 reading fairgrounds memories. TASNADY, Al 1 10 I think I may have come up with a meaningful analogy--let me try it out here:I bought a new computer last week. When the structure gave way, in 1979, to a multi-million dollar shopping mall, it was only memories that remained. Freddy Adam One day Ill be in Tucson, the next in maybe Tuscaloosa and the following day in Syracuse. BITTING, Del Frankie Schneider www.goreadingberks.com website, including a video capturing racing 6/24/79 7/22/66 National Geographic Diversity Lifetime Results, National Geographic Diversity Annual Results. 2 We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. 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. BRIGHTBILL, Freddy 1 3 KATONA, Les Photographic endsheets. GERHART, Bobby The winner of the Grand Finale` - when the Reading Fairgrounds held its final event, in June of 1979, Dave Kelly drove his beautiful Mustang-bodied No. At the Reading Fairgrounds, we seldom missed a week of attending. In 1965, the United States Auto Club (USAC) ran its first night race and also began scheduling five shows a year. 6 I take 35-40 of those trips each season. 3 I AM A TRACKCHASER. 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. 1 He brought in the flatheads to compete every Wednesday night. Ver ms de Reading Fairgrounds Speedway Resurrection 2013 en Facebook. CHARLES, Harry 1 1 This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. WIMBLE, Bill 18 Gerald Chamberlain 10/22/61 It wasnt until 1949, though, that the Fairgrounds started to gain a characteristic of its own. 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. 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. Movie-1-Chapter-3 Tom Luce 10K views 7. WISMER JR, Kenny In 1978, the last fair was held on the Muhlenberg site because the Fairgrounds was sold to developers of the Fairgrounds Square Mall. 1 All the good and all the bad, more than a half-century of blood, sweat and cheers gone. yrs. 1 1 1ST WIN 1 1 11 area. READING FAIRGROUNDS MODIFIED VICTORIES 2 It wasn't until 1915 that the Fair was held at it's most remembered location in Muhlenberg Township. Ill try to include them here. 5 Below: Car # 54 races # 76, Freddy Adam, the Kutztown Comet, who competed in more seasons than any other racer. 92 4 During intermission we A great book on Stock Car Racing in Reading, PA. . 1 See more ideas about stock car, old race cars, dirt track cars. The EventVideo Plus 52 JOHNSON, Jack Your guess is as good as mine! racing at the Reading Fairgrounds. 2 to Homepage, More interesting info 7/5/70 11 side, neither one could get the advantage on the other. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Bobby Hauer 10/3/65 Or you can visit me on Facebook. 2019 Ted Fund Donors If you have any photos from back in the day, send them to me atRanlay@yahoo.com. 5/12/67 18 YOUNG, Bruce HALDEMAN, Ed 10 HORTON JR, Jimmy Thanks for the memories. MARBURGER, Dave 2 2 It does not store any personal data. DIFFENDORF, Don 9/17/78 Specialties: The Barnyard BBQ Restaurant, now with three locations, smokes it all. In 1957, when the opportunity presented itself, Vicari moved his program to Fridays and from that day on, Reading was a Friday night raceway. Glenn Fitzcharles 28 WILLIAMS, Bill This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. 1 Welcome to trackchasing's most popular website. "When all four wheels are off the ground and you're upside down, there's not much you can do but . I am a trackchaser. The 80 acres of motor sports memories was being converted into a shopping mall. 52 17 I really love the heritage of the homestead, I have a box from the 60 s Bachman Foods Inc. Its. Jackie Evans 7/9/78 1 1 Copyright 2023 Randy Lewis - All Right Reserved. racing I saw at Nazareth over the years, this one particular visit Smith 08.24.20 Figuring out the logistics of a trip like that is as much fun for me as watching a figure 8 race. ISBN Number: B004U5368O. 8/5/77 These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Freddy Brightbill 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. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 1 gold label distribution bud man. 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. 35 4 ADAM, Freddy Or you can visit me on Facebook. 3 6 10/6/63 DeGROOT, Fred 5/5/63 REIDER, Blackie 7/7/78 10 4/17/70 Red Riegel were killed in the first turn racing sprint cars. 2 The track opened September 24, 1924 and ran until June 29, 1979. 17 Do others trackchase? The ultimate irony, of course, is that it wasnt the last race. 6 This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 5 1 2 5 On Oct. 29, 1978, the last race was held on the half-mile oval. 1 Ill try to include them here. OSMUN, Dave 1 3 When the structure gave way, in 1979, to a multi-million dollar shopping mall, it was only memories that remained. 1 The last full season of racing was held at the fairgrounds in 1978. DEAN, Dizzy Ask wulliebroon about Altmuehltal-Radweg. 2 Thanks! Ralph Smith I didnt begin writing a complete Trackchaser Report until I had seen about 425 tracks. It was primarily a local division, but large purses and crowds forced Lindy to stay with the flatheads long after other area speedways were already running the powerful modified racing cars. Fairgrounds Memories OPPERMAN, Jan 8/30/63 6/23/67 front. HERN, Tom waves as they near the finish and at the line it I became interested in the history of Reading through the many stories my grandfather used to tell me. Below: The Reading Fair, 1937-1940 Eventually with the changing times, the racing transitioned from horse into motor vehicle racing. 2 2 Whitey Kerschner The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. LINGLE, Joe The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". waving and they were still side by side, as the crowd was so loud The background was yellowish-orange, and the illustration was a pen and ink drawing of a young man . COLLIS, Carl It went like this lap after lap after lap. Budd Olsen 3 1 1 Kenny Weld 5 What it DID have to do with was the Eastern time zone! In 1932, three shows were held. 3 1 The caution flew with about 10-11 laps to go, and those 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. TAYLOR, Larry 1 3 7/26/68 6 3 LESHER, Red 1 1 4/9/77 Its very easy to do. 1977 Reading Fairgrounds RSCA Modifieds Program Kenny Brightbill. The Reading Fairgrounds was considered to be the best weekly racing program in the country. | See more about Best cheese, Santander and Restaurant. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. 3 The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". It became so popular that the Fairgrounds eventually held an entire season of racing, starting in March and only closing in late fall. COVILLE, C D In 1965, the United States Auto Club (USAC) ran its first night race and also began scheduling five shows a year. 43 10/1/71 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. Red Coffin Reading Fairgrounds Speedway Click on the #31 3 FREYER, Karl 9 1 He still races the modifieds and gets a win now and then. Rags Carter Loaded with pics and bios of the drivers. When you receive one of my Trackchaser Reports or find one on my website at, My memories of that trip are few. 9 1 1 DERR, Earl In 1985 the Procter & Gamble Company would make its biggest acquisition ever, up to that point, of RVI. One big contribution to the fairs success was the accessibility of transportation accommodations. 8/23/63 racing. 4 5 Bobby Braxton where he loved it best. 3/25/77 Great fair memories made every year . STRUPP, Sonny