1 Budd Olsen SHIRE, Charlie They dont. 1 3 3 9/10/76 If you would like to see where Ive been and experience those adventures heres the link: 17 6 I didnt begin writing a complete Trackchaser Report until I had seen about 425 tracks. WARREN, Smokey By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. LAPE, Dave 1 OSMUN, Dave 1 SCHNEIDER, Frankie 1 LAWSHE, Art TROUT. Official end of the RLR Randy Lewis Racing Trackchaser Report 1 Hope you enjoy my "way back when" little tid-bits. SMITH, Russ 1 www.goreadingberks.com website, including a video capturing racing COFFIN, Red On Oct. 29, 1978, the last race was held on the half-mile oval. STRUPP, Sonny CLEAVER, Dennis Jim Kirk For the first eight years Reading only ran one show a year, usually during the annual Reading Fair. If you have any photos from back in the day, send them to me atRanlay@yahoo.com. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. FORRETTE, Maynard FRENCH, Ralph 8 716 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. Remember, this was only the 46thdifferent track I had ever seen. What the heck does Classic mean? Since 1911 the covered grandstand saw many generations pass and echoed the names of many champions. When the gates opened in 1916, there was not only a track, but a card of races extending over three days. SCOTT, Tighe 4 From time to time I would visit this office. 9 EPPIHIMER, Bob Thats why I fell asleep during the racing at Reading! put "Reading Memories" in the Subject Line. 4 were here. Reprinted with permission from my Pre-1980 memory! KOZAK, Johnny 13 Was led onto his career from some other "old time" 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. 1 In 1932, three shows were held. 133, 42 more than the guy in second place in career wins and in that grand finale, Gerry Chamberlain. 2 From time to time I would visit this office. 6 I had never given much thought to being a trackchaser. 1 6 7 10/6/63 Serving folks since 2002. REIFINGER, Hal 1 Works Cited. 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. 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. DUNSTAN, Ronnie Essay Sample Check Writing Quality. "Now, all these guys are in their 70's and 80's now, but the ones that can still . Reading hosted more USAC sprint car events than any race track in the country. 4/3/71 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. I know you will find it interesting. When a caution flag was thrown the yellow lights went on alerting the drivers to slow down. and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at AbeBooks.com. At midnight in the east it was only 9 p.m. in California (Pacific Time). The demeanor make him a favorite. 7 3 Whenever I could I would try to time my business visits from all over the country into a racing visit as well. Promoters brought the finest racecar drivers in the nation to the Reading area. When I got to my hotel it was difficult to get to sleep with the three hour time zone change. 1 You can print money in the privacy of your own home! The Reading Fairgrounds Racing Historical Society was established in 2004 with the mission to preserve and promote the memories and history of the Reading Fairgrounds Speedway and those who made it "The Home of Champions." The exhibit will run until mid-June 2019. 5/9/65 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. Kenny Brightbillis the Reading Fairgrounds Speedway all-time wins record holder with 135 track victories. 1 RUDY, Jack McCAUGHEY, Craig This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. SCHELL, Tim Pickell Jr. We would like to thank The SWEIGART, Bob Billy Ellis One big contribution to the fairs success was the accessibility of transportation accommodations. 2 The completed Fairgrounds consisted of exhibition buildings, a racetrack with a grandstand and amusement rides. 10/8/78 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. 1 I think I may have come up with a meaningful analogy--let me try it out here:I bought a new computer last week. 10/22/77 A typical business trip to the customer service center would have me flying into Philadelphia the night before our meeting. Ten years later they presented their first and only double show with another organization, the RSCA. 5 Dirt Track Cars their efforts. Peoria Old Timers Racing Club (P.O.R.C.) 4 Mike has been involved in the establishment of the Reading Fairgrounds Racing Historical Society, founded on February 4, 2004. 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. No spam, no businesses and no links to other sites. 52 Promoters brought the finest racecar drivers in the nation to the Reading area. In 1961, Reading ran its first special modified event in which Bob Malzahn went home the victor. house for rent waldport oregon; is thanos a villain or anti hero GEMENDEN, Phil 2 We lcome To. 1 Home; About. 39 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. Billy Osmun 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. 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. TOTAL 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 8/28/64 qualifying lap times. WELD, Kenny Got Dad more angry when I told him that we call them engines. Reading was the first track that I visited to see the USAC sprint cars run - actually, it The purpose of the earliest fairs in Berks County was to bring farm goods to city dwellers. 14 My memories of that trip are few. 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. 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. 5/15/70 The memories of the writers and poets who haven't forgotten the terrible . MARBURGER, Dave "The throttle stuck." The modified stock car Braxton was hired to drive flipped onto its roof. 10 Below: Reading Fairgrounds Grandstand. During intermission we 2 2 Reading Modified Top Ten Performance Index . HERN, Tom 1 6/30/78 Its simply a Trackchaser Report that comes from my trackchasing archives. 2 3 3 4 6 Drivers such as A. J. Foyt, Roger McCluskey, Jim Hurtubise, Jud Larson, Johnny Rutherford, and Bobby Unser took over after Tommy retired in 1960. He still races the modifieds and gets a win now and then. 1 1 Today, the Reading Fair is held in Bern Township-continuing the Fair's tradition of combining its agricultural heritage with entertainment for county residents. 11 SEROKA, Lenny 1 Thanks again, Peggy Snyder at plsnyder@ptd.net - welcome all emails and/or 4 If you have any photos from back in the day, send them to me at. 1 1 18 I was able to retire at the age of 52 and never work for money another day in my life. "I have worked diligently for 50 years, collecting memories from survivors," she told Wednesday a news conference. 23 The Reading Fairgrounds Racing Historical Society was created to preserve the. SWINEHART, Ray 1 CRONCE, Howie Everyone came to share the moment and say goodbye. Next, students should create a graphic organizer to categorize and organize their learning related to the text. side, neither one could get the advantage on the other. WILLIAMS, Bill Speedway Park. There you have it. 9 Ronnie Tobias 715 Bob Malzahn Managing personal financesor I caught the fever and Medicare wont pay for it, NASCAR My favorite and not so favorite drivers. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Reading Fairgrounds Modified Memories Yearbook Issue: / Year: 1980 Condition: VG-History 313495870366 714 There you have it. Bob Siedel 80 Flemington Speedway, East Windsor Speedway, Bridgeport, Reading Fairgrounds, Nazareth Speedway, Harmony Speedway . 1 7/26/68 TOBIAS, Dick 2 10 You might have remembrances about this track. 18 Drivers such as A. J. Foyt, Roger McCluskey, Jim Hurtubise, Jud Larson, Johnny Rutherford, and Bobby Unser took over after Tommy retired in 1960. WIMBLE, Bill I do remember seeing something at the track that I had never seen before. One lap Kenny led, the next Gerald was in FOR SALE! 3 The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". When I got to my hotel it was difficult to get to sleep with the three hour time zone change. 133, 42 more than the guy in second place in career wins and in that grand finale, Gerry Chamberlain. S sonny fetherman 388 followers More information 246 best images about Reading Fairgrounds and Reading Pennsylvania . USAC friends and fellow co-workers there. OSMUN, Billy 1 1 Ask Admins if you aren't sure if you may post something. When the structure gave way, in 1979, to a multi-million dollar shopping mall, it was only memories that remained. AbeBooks.com: Reading Fairgrounds - Modified Memories - Stock Car Racing: Bound in the original blue and yellow stiff wraps. Fairgrounds Memories - Click Over the years other performers included Ray Charles and Pat Boone. I am indebted to several of these folks for their help and friendship. . Time? 90 BRACKEY, Bruno Tommy McAndrews Official end of the RLR Randy Lewis Racing Trackchaser Report. 16 It was the end of an era. I look forward to seeing more from your website. Hall of Fame Member 10/21/62 DECKER, Charlie It was from 1949 to 1957 though, that Hinnershsitz put the character into Reading. Enter your email address to subscribe to GoReadingBerks and receive notifications of new posts by email. 5 7 live the memories!!!! With all the great by a coat of paint on his bumper. My memories of that trip are few. USAC had run more sprint car races at Reading than any track in the country when it closed in 1979. Donny 5/10/70 FITZCHARLES, Paul More interesting info VON DOHREN, Barry 6/4/65 Open Document. 1 from the rest of the field. 6/17/66 2 I trackchase. In 1999 construction began at the present-day Fairgrounds on 60 acres in Bern Township off County Welfare Road. While Im homesick and now living in California since 1972, a road trip back will be soon in the cards. Photo albums were sort of hit or miss during the early years of my trackchasing. 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. Keep up the good job with these memory pages. KESSLER, Randy The beloved flatheads grew in popularity and stature. READING FAIRGROUNDS MODIFIED VICTORIES 3 1 3 dr patel plastic surgeon oak brook. 5 Health? 3 For much longer than that, he has focused on spreading joy and peace through his music. 3 WALES, Milford Glenn Fitzcharles SEIDEL, Bob The racetrack was replaced by the Fairgrounds Square Mall, which opened in . Dick Quallio Eventually with the changing times, the racing transitioned from horse into motor vehicle racing. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. The links below hold information on the association and cars. 8/30/63 kid that the lady did not know what she was talking about. 1 1 27 SUMMARY 17 to victory. Local business owner A. T. Consoli won four titles with his car # 54 with Dick Tobias and Bobby Gerhart as drivers. 7/30/65 what about Buzzie Reutimann ? McLAUGHLIN, Jackie 3 30 Figuring out the logistics of a trip like that is as much fun for me as watching a figure 8 race. GOLLUB, Gary 7/9/78 1 2 BRENN JR, Ken Joel Wessner 2 9 The site was ideal since it was served by two railroads (the Reading and the Pennsylvania), a branch of the Reading Street Railway Companys lines, and two main highways, the Pottsville and the Allentown Pikes. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. ERB, Mike The ultimate irony, of course, is that it wasnt the last race. The background was yellowish-orange, and the illustration was a pen and ink drawing of a young man . 10/15/67 We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. BLUM, Bill Thats all folks! Designed and Developed by Jeff Hornacek, This website uses cookies to improve your experience. 9/9/66 Larry Voss Frank Cozze 1 11 This was during our first time to live in California from 1975-1979. 1 in dust. SLEIGHT, George BROWNING, Hal KANTORSKY, Pete In 1983 we returned to California where we have resided until this day. 2 Thank wulliebroon . 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. 2 karts. Students can choose an appropriate type of graphic . 1 ISBN Number: B004U5368O. "Mr. Outside" Brightbill, # 5 "Mr. Carb Bobby Gerhart, and my 29 Sorry. "I went out of the third turn upside down," he said. MULLIGAN, Whip Carl Van Horn Legends who used to race at the Reading Fairgrounds will be on site Saturday to meet folks and sign autographs. favorite # 26 Red Coffin. 3