Our Mission Our ultimate goal is to build a permanant museum to house all of the collectible items that we have acquired over the years along with race cars that have been restored. 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. Reading Fairgrounds Speedway(19241979) was a one half mile dirt/clay modified race track located inMuhlenburg Township,Berks County,Pennsylvania. 3 SHARP, Henry Reprinted with permission from my Pre-1980 memory! ERB, Mike Membership is only $15 per year or a life-time membership of $200. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Often a classic TR will not have a video and/or photo album attached. Thanks for the memories. A typical business trip to the customer service center would have me flying into Philadelphia the night before our meeting. 1 1 o. Crear cuenta nueva. 39 laugh" when the announcer mentioned the sound and that it was a Chevy engine in 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. 7/30/65 I went back to my favorite tracks like Ascot, Rockford, Manzanita and Santa Fe among others time and again. 1 TILLMAN, Herbie That October Sunday in 78 made it official. It was henceforth proclaimed throughout the ranks, to win at Reading is beating the best, but it was tough. 1 Dave Kelly won six of those 12 races, including what became known as Grand Finale II on June 29, 1979. "We're looking for city carriers, rural carriers and we also have what we . 1 OLSEN, Walt PANTUSO, Vince DALLENBACH, Wally It was from 1949 to 1957 though, that Hinnershsitz put the character into Reading. 4 2 10/22/78 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. I was amazed that the east coast folks scheduling these early meetings had ZERO empathy for their west coast visitors. SOLOMON, Larry 5/9/65 Peggy Snyder 01/31/07 Once you begin researching my trip itineraries from my website, yes you will want to do that, you will be surprised. 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. Hope you find what you are looking for and discover things that you were not! (Satis Shroff, Freiburg) Our brain is like a labyrinth with all those fissures and lobes, and memory was a big theme at the 62nd Book Fair in Frankfurt-upon-the-Main 2010. 4 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. SHIRE, Charlie 714 5 ever seen. 1 EPPOLITE, Frank . 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. BROWN, Ralph In 1932, three shows were held. Great fair memories made every year | Archive | fredericknewspost.com MARBURGER, Dave 1 Everyone came to share the moment and say goodbye. Below: Reading Fairgrounds located in Muhlenburg Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania 7/4/69 41 Speedway Park. 1 Thank wulliebroon . Golly, did Dad wake up then - told the Reading Fairgrounds Racing Historical Society | Reading PA - Facebook 17 My memories of that trip are few. So imagine being at the 27th Muscat International Book Fair - it is a haven for students. Remember, this was only the 46thdifferent track I had ever seen. house for rent waldport oregon; is thanos a villain or anti hero Don Kreitz This had nothing to do with the quality of the racing! We had the privilege of Have you ever in your life heard of trackchasing? 14 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. 2 10/15/67 1 These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. REICHERT, Joe Stan Ploski Reading Fairgrounds Speedway - Wikipedia Local business owner A. T. Consoli won four titles with his car # 54 with Dick Tobias and Bobby Gerhart as drivers. I trackchase. MEALS, Mike Gerald Chamberlain 3 ADAM, Freddy The case for selling high-quality used stuff YOURSELF! frenzy already. My name is Fred George. 1 Nevertheless, this CLASSIC Trackchaser Report has finally bubbled to the surface and is now available for everyone to see atwww.randylewis.org. 5 TAYLOR, Larry Indy champions loved to compete at The Home of Champions. I was living in California at the time. Photographic endsheets. The links below hold information on the association and cars. (BILL UHRICH - READING EAGLE) The organization was founded. decided we were going to the races at Reading. EVANS, Jackie 6/23/67 2 3 pre-war coupes & coaches to the Pintos and other more modern bodies. 92 Typically these will be stories from tracks I visited five years or ten years or more ago. I do that kind of thing all the time. The crowd Love Hello, from the Reading Stock Car Association we have the ultimate book 115708529208 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. 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. 16 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. Russ Delp 1 Or you can visit me on Facebook. As I came out of the theater, though, I decided that it would be fun to update a . 10 1 9 7/22/66 3 Ten years later they presented their first and only double show with another organization, the RSCA. EMERICH, Bob GERHART, Bobby I do that kind of thing all the time. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. 11 In 1947 a building designed for roller skating was added to the facilities. For the first eight years Reading only ran one show a year, usually during the annual Reading Fair. 1 THE CLASSIC TRACKCHASER REPORT ZIMMERMAN, Dick Reading PA Fairgrounds Modified Memories Dirt Track Kenny Brightbill ELY, George I really love the heritage of the homestead, I have a box from the 60 s Bachman Foods Inc. Its. 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. 7 The crowd went crazy as they had 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. 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. there to help his young son, and naturally, he always drew a huge 4 18 Racechasing was good enough for me. Reading Fairgrounds Speedway - Randy Lewis BUTLER, Gary In 1961, Reading ran its first special modified event in which Bob Malzahn went home the victor. Articles curated by JSL - Issue #195 - by Jakob Silas Lund I was able to retire at the age of 52 and never work for money another day in my life. Fairgrounds Memories Title: Reading Fairgrounds Modified Memories [Fairgrounds Racetrack, Berks Co., PA] Author Name: Vicari, Vince (editor) Edition: 1st Edition. 1 Since 1911 the covered grandstand saw many generations pass and echoed the names of many champions. any interesting pieces caught my attention while walking around the Art Fair. 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. For $ 2.25 you could see some great dirt track 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,. 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 I opened it, it asked me whether I wanted to transfer software from another source, which I did; I transferred everything . 2 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 ! 4 5/18/75 RUDY, Jack 1 . 1 SCOTT, Tighe The Reading Fairgrounds was considered to be the best weekly racing program in the country. It was the end of an era. The 80 acres of motor sports memories was being converted into a shopping mall. That October Sunday in 78 made it official. Gunzenhausen - Wikipedia Its very easy to do. When the structure gave way, in 1979, to a multi-million dollar shopping mall, it was only memories that remained. Brightbill, Bobby Gerhart, among many others. BLUM, Bill If you want to see the true essence of trackchasing youve come to the right place. SAUDER, Kenny We welcome your suggestions for articles for the GoReadingBerks website. They dont. More interesting info 17 Brightbill would win two more, finishing with 135, and Chamberlain one more, finishing with 92. 1 and got through the heats and consolations. Reading Fairgrounds Racing Historical Society Group - Facebook DUNSTAN, Ronnie 1 Back in the day, beginning in 1972 I worked for a company called Richardson-Vicks (RVI). ROHS, Steve WELD, Kenny What the heck does Classic mean? Will it work now? of about Reading PA from. 34 Due to red tape that delayed construction, there would be 12 more races in 1979. I would continue to work for P&G until my retirement in 2002. 1 1 The binding is tight. LAPE, Dave They built a Horse Race Track and grandstands which were opened to the public in 1916. 9/3/65 It was from 1949 to 1957 though, that Hinnershsitz put the character into Reading. TOTAL DECKER, Charlie Long 7/10/64 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. The Reading Fairgrounds in Muhlenberg Township you hear them all the way up in Allentown. 1 Pre-1980. 1 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. 7/26/68 When the structure gave way, in 1979, to a multi-million dollar shopping mall, it was only memories that remained. AutoRacingRecords.com After having gotten a terrible nights sleep getting up at 3 a.m. my time was terrible. Breathtaking cyclic - Review of Altmuehltal-Radweg, Gunzenhausen If you would like to see where Ive been and experience those adventures heres the link: I do have one memory of looking at the cover of a paperback book. Above found at: 1 Back in the day, beginning in 1972 I worked for a company called Richardson-Vicks (RVI). DICKSON, Larry 1 5 4/6/73 Carter and many, many others have been very supportive of our efforts here in the Vault. I was living in California at the time. 13 3/23/74 Kenny Brightbill 1 DONAHUE, Joe For whatever reason (usually not enough time) this trackchasing adventure didnt get posted to my website when I first made the track visit. Nevertheless, this CLASSIC Trackchaser Report has finally bubbled to the surface and is now available for everyone to see atwww.randylewis.org. to Reading provided me with the closest, most exciting race I had STIVES, Don I am indebted to several of these folks for their help and friendship. DIFFENDORF, Don 2 Thanks for filling in so much nostalgia for my upbringing and the roots I am so proud of. Dizzie Dean 9 Randy Lewis LAST WIN 8 2 MAYBERRY, Tom 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. GEORGE, Del It became so popular that the Fairgrounds eventually held an entire season of racing, starting in March and only closing in late fall. 1 2 READING FAIRGROUNDS MODIFIED Memories Yearbook 1980-History of modified stock. TOBIAS, Ronnie Early Memories on Reading - 634 Words | 123 Help Me The Reading Fairgrounds Racing Historical Society was created to preserve the memories of the Reading Fairgrounds. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Loaded with pics and bios of the drivers. 8 Copyright 2023 Randy Lewis - All Right Reserved. 2016 Reading Fairgrounds Motorsports Show - linkedin.com CAPIE, Tom Reading Fairgrounds Speedway(19241979) was a one half mile dirt/clay modified race track located inMuhlenburg Township,Berks County,Pennsylvania. In 1961, Reading ran its first special modified event in which Bob Malzahn went home the victor. Again, in the end of the 1962 season, another trial modified event was held. This was win no. 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. The Reading Fairgrounds Speedway is one of those long ago vintage tracks affectionately known as the Group of 71. root for Parnelli. CRONCE, Howie 1 In 1965, the United States Auto Club (USAC) ran its first night race and also began scheduling five shows a year. 5 As a racechaser my prime motivation was to go where the best racers and the best racing was happening. 2 "The throttle stuck." The modified stock car Braxton was hired to drive flipped onto its roof. HARWI, Otto Often a classic TR will not have a video and/or photo album attached. 7/14/75 FOR SALE! You might have remembrances about this track. reading fairgrounds memories 2 It was in this time that they went from running The speedway got its nickname long before the stock car champions became stars. 1 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. 7 demeanor make him a favorite. the Vault, and of the Reading Fairgrounds to join their great organization and support WALES, Milford Promoters brought the finest racecar drivers in the nation to the Reading area. "When all four wheels are off the ground and you're upside down, there's not much you can do but . Jackie McClaughlin 30 7 1 2 BITTING, Del racing I saw at Nazareth over the years, this one particular visit 8/5/77 National Geographic Diversity Lifetime Results, National Geographic Diversity Annual Results. Do they share their experiences? Ample parking spaces were also provided for motorists. 2 HORTON JR, Jimmy We encourage the fans of 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. I trackchase. Will it work now? 3 I had never given much thought to being a trackchaser. 20 Randy on Facebook I didnt think so. After that we would relocate to first Connecticut and then Chicago. 1 document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Reading Fairgrounds Modified Memories by Vicari Vince - AbeBooks All the good and all the bad, more than a half-century of blood, sweat and cheers gone. Wikipedia provided this review of the Reading Fairgrounds Speedway. Red Coffin Walt Olsen 11 Reading racetrack he said he loved the 3 min. The Reading Fairgrounds Speedway is one of those long ago vintage tracks affectionately known as the Group of 71. 21 HULBERT, Mert 3 Reading Fairgrounds, Pennsylvania - The Nostalgia Forum Additionally, if you see a website link know that link worked when the TR was originally written. 52 Consequently Reading lost its local image and the RSCA was no longer the Reading Stock Car Assn., but the Racing Sanctioning Corporation of America. Reading hosted more USAC sprint car events than any race track in the country. Your guess is as good as mine! 133, 42 more than the guy in second place in career wins and in that grand finale, Gerry Chamberlain. 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. 6 These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. 14 main stands, then got back to our seats for the main event. Billy Osmun This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. WELLER, Curt 21 5/5/63 SCHOFFSTALL, Dave Now you know a little bit about my trackchasing addiction. Photo albums were sort of hit or miss during the early years of my trackchasing. Iniciar sesin. The Reading Fairgrounds Racing Historical Society was created to preserve the. Reading PA Fairgrounds Modified Memories Dirt Track Kenny Brightbill KATONA, Les On Oct. 29, 1978, the last race was held on the half-mile oval. 1 By doing all this, Mike is hoping to continue to preserve memories made at the Reading Fairground's Race Track. 4/24/64 Race Cars - Mike Grim's 2 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. 4 Whip Mulligan Reading Fairgrounds Modified Memories Paperback - January 1, 1978 by Racing Sanctioning Corp. (Author) Paperback from $95.00 1 Used from $95.00 224 pages. Great drivers, great fans & great memories!!! 8/30/63 133, 42 more than the guy in second place in career wins and in that grand finale, Gerry Chamberlain. 031 60 52 60 Info@enchelab.com. Drivers flocked from all over the east coast for a share of the pie. 10 I didnt begin producing my YouTube videos until 2009 (YouTube channel: RANLAY). 2 FITZCHARLES, Glenn All the good and all the bad, more than a half-century of blood, sweat and cheers gone. SHEETZ, Tommy action from the mid 70's. Donnie Varner It featured a regular weekly series of modified, sportsman modified, and late model stock car racing. 1 716 6 3 Reading Fairgrounds PA Modified Memories Kenny Brightbill Gerald 1956 Reading Fairgrounds Jalopy: Final Standings:1-Johnny Mackison: 1957 Reading Fairgrounds Jalopy: Final Standings:1-George Speck: 1958 Reading Fairgrounds Jalopy: Final Standings:1-Hal Reifinger: 1959 Reading Fairgrounds Jalopy: Final Standings:1-Hal Reifinger: 1960 Reading Fairgrounds Jalopy: Final Standings:1-Bobby Hersh: 1961 Reading . 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. 48 1 Thats probably the most inconvenient location in the country for seeing tracks in the U.S. VAN HORN, Carl PLOSKI JR, Stan 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. lives in Zephyrhills,Fl and loves to talk about the good old days. BRIGHTBILL, Freddy yrs. reading fairgrounds memories. Donny All the good and all the bad, more than a half-century of blood, sweat and cheers gone. The Reading Fairgrounds was considered to be the best weekly racing program in the country. Budd Olsen Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. 1 front. Or you can visit me on Facebook. 5 Lindy V. Vicariwas a stock-car racing promoter and operator of the Reading Fairgrounds from 1955 until 1979. From time to time I would visit this office. Most of the racetracks in the U.S. are located well over 1,000 miles from where I live. KERSCHNER, Shorty 8 SLEIGHT, George Thats probably the most inconvenient location in the country for seeing tracks in the U.S. Tom Hager I am a trackchaser. Reading Fairgrounds Modified Memories - amazon.com Historic marker dedicated to former Reading Fairgrounds Speedway 1 24 Recent Additions to our Reading Fairgrounds Memories Page - 3 Wide's 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. From time to time I would visit this office. SEIDEL, Bob Legends who used to race at the Reading Fairgrounds will be on site Saturday to meet folks and sign autographs. 6 Gary Gollub Reading Fairgrounds Modified Memories [Fairgrounds Racetrack, Berks Co The speedway got its nickname long before the stock car champions became stars. 1 Several subsequent purchases increased the area to approximately 78 acres. to Speedway Memories It was also through the modified cars that Reading innovated car rules and regulations, safety features, track preparations, and more efficient race procedures. RVI had a customer service operation in Ft. Washington, Pennsylvania. 7/9/65 2 2 A very difficult to find print. BALOGACH, Paul 1 TIE (1st) Freddy Adam & Jackie Evans 8/13/1967 2 2 SHAW, Bob Will Cagle ago) and myself were part of the faithful who attended any types of BAILEY, Charlie Whats that you ask? Do they share their experiences? 3 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. Its simply a Trackchaser Report that comes from my trackchasing archives. He still races the modifieds and gets a win now and then. Back 6/19/64 Peoria Old Timers Racing Club (P.O.R.C.) 7 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. Brightbill, Chamberlain as they near the checkered flag. Racing Legends Reunion and Car Show Feb. 19-25 I hope you enjoy it. 1 FELTY, LeRoy Bobby Braxton We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. I dont mind to much. 1 MATTA, Tony Did you know David was at the Reading Fairgrounds with his dad ? 4 1 was standing now, no one was in their sits as we all were yelling The beloved flatheads grew in popularity and stature. STRUPP, Sonny 2 YOUNG, Bruce 19 1 QUALIO, Dick Through turns 1-2 they Photo albums were sort of hit or miss during the early years of my trackchasing. EPRIGHT, Fritz That car has been restored. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". 14 www.goreadingberks.com website, including a video capturing racing [1]It featured a regular weekly series of modified, sportsman modified, and late modelstock carracing. 10 9/9/66 14 10 Reading Fairgrounds Racing Historical Society - GuideStar Profile 1 watching the classic battles between Gerald Chamberlain, Kenny clock. JOHNSON, Alan their efforts. BREEDING, Walt 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. Reading Fairgrounds Racing Historical Society - Mike Grim's 10/8/78 http://www.readingfairgroundsracing.com/, Back 2 Remember, this was only the 46thdifferent track I had ever seen. 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. 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. COLLIS, Carl Once you begin researching my trip itineraries from my website, yes you will want to do that, you will be surprised. The memories of the writers and poets who haven't forgotten the terrible . Reading Fairgrounds Modified Memories | #429603502 Photographers on record,Red Kirsh,Bob Zellers,Carl Hess. Click on the #31 1 11 3 KOCH, Paul 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 REIFINGER, Hal EARNSHAW, Leigh SCHELL, Tim 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. RILEY, Don Reading Fairgrounds Speedway DVD - Snyder Video Productions | eBay 9/3/76 The Gus Yatron postal facility in Reading is holding a job fair Saturday. 1 SUMMARY 11 Tommy McAndrews This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. CARROLL, Jackie 6 By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data. Brightbill would win two more, finishing with 135, and Chamberlain one more, finishing with 92. Down the backstetch it was still a dead 11/20/77 1 4/5/64 So many local drivers made the competition tough and exciting. OSMUN, Dave If you love Reading Fairgrounds, visit It features the Reading Fairgrounds when it was a race track. I was a Reading race fan from 1972-1975. in 73 my brother and I did OPPERMAN, Jan
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