REAKES, Sammy 7/22/75 031 60 52 60 Info@enchelab.com. DETWEILER, Ralph That October Sunday in 78 made it official. Let's stay updated! RILEY, Don 8/28/64 3 side, neither one could get the advantage on the other. kid that the lady did not know what she was talking about. 2 Reprinted with permission from my Pre-1980 memory! 27 USAC had run more sprint car races at Reading than any track in the country when it closed in 1979. Hall of Fame Member, Thats all folks! 135 4 Shorty Kerschner 3 Seeing many of the locals race with the best of USAC was always 1 27 7 2 . 5/27/77 Gerald Chamberlain 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. LAST WIN 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. John Kozak 1 One lap Kenny led, the next Gerald was in BREEDING, Walt 5 letter words for wordle beginning with s. reading fairgrounds memories. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. the front. KESSLER, Randy OSMUN, Billy Also a few other Speedway shots from Big Diamond,Penn National,Bridgeport. 8 1 What the heck does Classic mean? 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 I live in southern California. 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. I didnt begin writing a complete Trackchaser Report until I had seen about 425 tracks. SHARP, Henry DIFFENDORF, Don MILLER, Paul SHAW, Bob 6 The Reading Fairgrounds Racing Historical Society was created to preserve the memories of the Reading Fairgrounds. 14 Today, as a trackchaser, I commonly get up at some very early hours. Kim Click on the #31 1 1 133, 42 more than the guy in second place in career wins and in that grand finale, Gerry Chamberlain. 2 Indy champions loved to compete at The Home of Champions. 10 It went like this lap after lap after lap. 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 ! BROWN, Ralph BRAXTON, Bobby 62 Below: Car # 54 races # 76, Freddy Adam, the Kutztown Comet, who competed in more seasons than any other racer. Often a classic TR will not have a video and/or photo album attached. SCHOFFSTALL, Dave REIDER, Blackie 1 Reading fairgrounds from Sept 18th 1966 where Stan Poliski won a 200 lap race Al Quellette 4.7K views 2 years ago 1956-57 California Jalopy Racing. This Print is personally signed and numbered in pencil by John Dusko. Thanks! 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. laugh" when the announcer mentioned the sound and that it was a Chevy engine in DEAN, Dizzy 38 Reading Fairgrounds Speedway, the Home of Champions gold label distribution bud man. 16 I also remember falling asleep as I watched the racing. Reprinted with permission from my Pre-1980 memory! 2 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. 12 But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. 4 1 The flag root for Parnelli. Reading Modified Top Ten Performance Index. 3 Consequently Reading lost its local image and the RSCA was no longer the Reading Stock Car Assn., but the Racing Sanctioning Corporation of America. 92 The 80 acres of motor sports memories was being converted into a shopping mall. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. PAUCH, Billy 18 It was a local driver named Tommy Hinnershitz that caused its beginning. 1 Below: Lindy Vicari, shown below with pageant winners (unable to he identified), operated the Reading Fairgrounds from 1955 to 1979. 10/17/65 Expenses. If you would like to see where Ive been and experience those adventures heres the link: In 1955, apromoter named Lindy Vicari took over a tract of land and began weekly racing for the first time at the Reading Fairgrounds. Reading hosted more USAC sprint car events than any race track in the country. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. 9 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. When I got to my hotel it was difficult to get to sleep with the three hour time zone change. Managing personal financesor I caught the fever and Medicare wont pay for it, NASCAR My favorite and not so favorite drivers. 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. DRIVER I dont mind to much. He still races the modifieds and gets a win now and then. This is a professional offset lithograph print that was commissioned many years ago and quickly sold out. 8 I didnt begin producing my YouTube videos until 2009 (YouTube channel: RANLAY). As the feature went on, both of them were working their way toward by a coat of paint on his bumper. Membership is open to all who are interested in keeping the tradition and memory of the races and fair alive for the future. 10 Nevertheless, this CLASSIC Trackchaser Report has finally bubbled to the surface and is now available for everyone to see at, Now you know a little bit about my trackchasing addiction. 24 1 14 7 The Heritage of Reading: 1813-1847: Canals, Heavy Industry, and the Railroad, The Seventh and Penn Street Railroad Crossing, Mount Laurel Furnace and Temple Iron Company, History of Holy Guardian Angels, Hyde Park, Independence Island along the Schuylkill River, Reading, PA Outlet Capital of the World, History of the former Bachman Pretzel Company, Organized Crimes Infiltration of The Pizza and Cheese Industry in Pennsylvania, Lancaster Avenue Covered Bridge and Bingaman Street Bridge, Beautiful photographs of Reading's Catholic churches with their altar rails and sanctuaries, Very awesome in history. from the rest of the field. Serving folks since 2002. not allowed in the USAC pits at that time. Hope you find what you are looking for and discover things that you were not! CLEAVER, Dennis 1 It featured a regular weekly series of modified, sportsman modified, and late model stock car racing. 1 | See more about Best cheese, Santander and Restaurant. 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. 29 5 The lad Source: www.goreadingberks.com Sitting next to me was a young lad, approx. 27 Iniciar sesin Olvidaste tu cuenta? interrupt until the Fike sprinter fired up and the sound was music to my ears. 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. Whenever I could I would try to time my business visits from all over the country into a racing visit as well. 3 Subscribe to my Newsletter for new posts, tips, photos & more. Smith 08.24.20 21 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. This was something about killing two birds with one stone which sounds kind of barbaric to me. 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. 1 Frankie Schneider Leon Manchester Due to red tape that delayed construction, there would be 12 more races in 1979. 1 BALOGACH, Paul 2 This was during the 2000 trackchasing season. Thanks for the memories. 9 2 Reading Fairgrounds Speedway 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. 1 1 My average trip covers 5,000 miles and more. KOCH, Paul 1 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. 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. 5/15/64 HOLLAND, Eddie 1 Today, as a trackchaser, I commonly get up at some very early hours. 18 4/4/70 3 I developed goreadingberks.com around 1998 for the purpose of presenting information about the History of the Catholic Faith in Reading. 1 The Reading Fairgrounds was considered to be the best weekly racing program in the country. 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 22 I now live in Macungie, PA and I dearly miss 4/19/63 I remember on those dry summer The town of Gunzenhausen is nearby and it has numerous shops, cafe's, bars and a semi permanent fun fair. Bobby Gerhart My average trip covers 5,000 miles and more. DeGROOT, Fred SHEETZ, Tommy JOHNSON, Jack 4 WOLFORD, Gary For whatever reason (usually not enough time) this trackchasing adventure didnt get posted to my website when I first made the track visit. Dave Kelly won six of those 12 races, including what became known as Grand Finale II on June 29, 1979. 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 Buzzie now 1 GAHAN, Ernie USAC had run more sprint car races at Reading than any track in the country when it closed in 1979. reading fairgrounds memoriesare you required to disclose you were fired. 17 to victory. READINGER, Dan MIKOSZ, Junior to Speedway Memories Brightbill running the high line and Reading Fairgrounds Speedway (1924-1979) was a one half mile dirt/clay modified race track located in Muhlenberg Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania.The track opened September 24, 1924 and ran until June 29, 1979. 4 Facebook Twitter Google+ YouTube. SASSAMAN, Dave 10 I hail from the sleepy little village by the sea, San Clemente, California. 30 7/10/64 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. From Staff Reports News-Post Staff; May 13, 2012 May 13, 2012 Updated Mar 11, 2016; 0; Facebook; You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. 17 Thats trackchasingthe way I do it. ERB, Mike 1 VAN HORN, Carl 3 11 Gunzenhausen (German pronunciation: [ntsnhazn] (); Bavarian: Gunzenhausn) is a town in the Weienburg-Gunzenhausen district, in Bavaria, Germany.It is situated on the river Altmhl, 19 kilometres (12 mi) northwest of Weienburg in Bayern, and 45 kilometres (28 mi) southwest of Nuremberg.Gunzenhausen is a nationally recognized recreation area. Food memories immortalized on canvasand plates 2023-03-02 - REGGIE ASPIRAS MDaryl Feril was trying to recall a dish his grandmother cooked for himit was the memory of it that inspired his Art Fair piece. 3 Now you know a little bit about my trackchasing addiction. 10 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 3 KREITZ SR, Don 1 They are looking to fill all types of positions. Once you begin researching my trip itineraries from my website, yes you will want to do that, you will be surprised. 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. Johnny Botz Lifetime track #46 19 2 Vous tes ici : jacob ramsey siblings; map of california central coast cities; reading fairgrounds memories . Bob Siedel riding high in the turns of Brightbill. mentioned this to his Dad who ignored the question so I told him that it was a small block Next, students should create a graphic organizer to categorize and organize their learning related to the text. POTTS, Lauden Neck and neck through the turns, After having gotten a terrible nights sleep getting up at 3 a.m. my time was terrible. 715 MULLIGAN, Whip KANTORSKY, Pete This was during the 2000 trackchasing season. When the gates opened in 1916, there was not only a track, but a card of races extending over three days. 1 Enter your email address to subscribe to GoReadingBerks and receive notifications of new posts by email. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 3/31/63 6 any interesting pieces caught my attention while walking around the Art Fair. In 1983 we returned to California where we have resided until this day. 8 his famous #19 Pinto. 10/1/71 CONRAD, Vince 6 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. just witnessed what dirt track racing and the Reading Fairgrounds There was the sight of promoter Lindy Vicari in his grader, working the track surface to the optimum of tackiness the good kind. [1]It featured a regular weekly series of modified, sportsman modified, and late modelstock carracing. READING PA FAIRGROUNDS Modified Memories Dirt Track Kenny Brightbill RSCA - $40.80. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. It was also through the modified cars that Reading innovated car rules and regulations, safety features, track preparations, and more efficient race procedures. 5/5/63 Speedway Park. Ask Admins if you aren't sure if you may post something. 6/24/77 This was during the 2000 trackchasing season. Or you can visit me on Facebook. 10/22/77 Don Kreitz 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. www.goreadingberks.com website, including a video capturing racing 7/22/66 I get the chance to meet people from all over the world. OPPERMAN, Jan Fairgrounds Memories - Click 1 90 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. Below: 1966 photo showing Mario Andretti # 9 dueling with Lone Star JR Johnny Rutherford. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". "Memories should have been collected and submitted to the scientific community. This was win no. Time? 14 Absolutely. He brought in the flatheads to compete every Wednesday night. 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. Nevertheless, this CLASSIC Trackchaser Report has finally bubbled to the surface and is now available for everyone to see atwww.randylewis.org. karts. 7/9/65 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 went down for some of those famous french fries to the right of the 2 FORRETTE, Maynard Through turns 1-2 they Hundreds of photos of drivers and their car. Click here for more information on: 5 favorite # 26 Red Coffin. 5 2 5 4 Again, in the end of the 1962 season, another trial modified event was held. It will run through Feb. 27. This print measures 32" x 26". Consequently Reading lost its local image and the RSCA was no longer the Reading Stock Car Assn., but the Racing Sanctioning Corporation of America. SWEIGART, Bob 1 1 2 "When all four wheels are off the ground and you're upside down, there's not much you can do but . 6 8 The lad laughed and said to me - "you knew what motor it was". The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". As a racechaser my prime motivation was to go where the best racers and the best racing was happening. 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. We knew the dangers of racing as we were there when Jud Larson and The brainchild of Jeff Hartman, Saturday's event has been over a decade in the making, with a few bumps along the way. 4 It was a local driver named Tommy Hinnershitz that caused its beginning. After that we would relocate to first Connecticut and then Chicago. 43 These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. CAPIE, Tom 9 At midnight in the east it was only 9 p.m. in California (Pacific Time). Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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 was living in California at the time. 8/6/71 A minor bit of sfuffing to extremes, but overall, a much nicer copy than usually encountered. The binding is tight. of about Reading PA from. Local business owner A. T. Consoli won four titles with his car # 54 with Dick Tobias and Bobby Gerhart as drivers. 3 If so, please feel free to share your memories in the comments section below. The last race of the season was marred by a fiery crash that seriously injured driver Michael Grbac of New Brunswick, N.J. A month after the crash, he died of his injuries. YETTER, Richie 3/12/67 The Reading Fair had it's first fair in 1854 at Penn's Commons, in what is now City Park. 1 MOYER, Gene watching the classic battles between Gerald Chamberlain, Kenny 8 1 5 2 1 5 2 2 1 All the good and all the bad, more than a half-century of blood, sweat and cheers gone. Thats what a racechaser does. It does not store any personal data. 1 4 GILMORE, Charlie The Heritage of Reading: 1813-1847: Canals, Heavy Industry, and the Railroad, Mount Laurel Furnace and Temple Iron Company, History of Holy Guardian Angels, Hyde Park, Independence Island along the Schuylkill River, Reading, PA Outlet Capital of the World, History of the former Bachman Pretzel Company, Organized Crimes Infiltration of The Pizza and Cheese Industry in Pennsylvania, Lancaster Avenue Covered Bridge and Bingaman Street Bridge, Beautiful photographs of Reading's Catholic churches with their altar rails and sanctuaries, Very awesome in history. Whitey Kerschner 1 5 Several subsequent purchases increased the area to approximately 78 acres. 11 CAGLE, Will Tommy won his first race in 1938. in dust. 2 There you have it. Back 7 Movie-1-Chapter-3 Tom Luce 10K views 7. 2 Tom Hager Whenever I could I would try to time my business visits from all over the country into a racing visit as well. 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,. 2 Whats that you ask? 1 1 waves as they near the finish and at the line it Im not sure of the year, but the big rivalry on All of that, however, was a mere epilogue, like a wave in the distance. I didnt give any thought to recording the dates when I visited those 71 tracks. Most of the racetracks in the U.S. are located well over 1,000 miles from where I live. HAMILTON, Jackie Am now a Tony Raines, We raced with Michael Andretti when he was a kid at an This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 9/10/76 compiled by Bill Braga WISMER SR, Kenny 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. 2 COLLINS, Kevin MARBURGER, Dave Where we work. Thanks again, Peggy Snyder at plsnyder@ptd.net - welcome all emails and/or Mike has been involved in the establishment of the Reading Fairgrounds Racing Historical Society, founded on February 4, 2004. ever seen. Could not help overhearing him, did not DISSINGER, Butch who did we see - Buzzie Reutimann. GARBER, Harry . I am a trackchaser. The ultimate irony, of course, is that it wasnt the last race. their efforts.