2 There you have it. Frank Sinatra performed at the Fair in 1950. 1 6/19/77 1 mentioned this to his Dad who ignored the question so I told him that it was a small block The crowd went crazy as they had 6/23/67 clock. Your guess is as good as mine! 1 It wasnt until 1949, though, that the Fairgrounds started to gain a characteristic of its own. Often a classic TR will not have a video and/or photo album attached. 1 - $156.06. The beloved flatheads grew in popularity and stature. Well, one day my dad waving and they were still side by side, as the crowd was so loud The Gus Yatron postal facility in Reading is holding a job fair Saturday. All of that, however, was a mere epilogue, like a wave in the distance. 92 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. Mike has been involved in the establishment of the Reading Fairgrounds Racing Historical Society, founded on February 4, 2004. 21 Red Coffin 4/9/77 Since that time the site has grown to provide information about historical sites, landmarks, museums, parks, hotels and more. Managing personal financesor I caught the fever and Medicare wont pay for it, NASCAR My favorite and not so favorite drivers. DETWEILER, Ralph I didnt give any thought to recording the dates when I visited those 71 tracks. Harry Moore 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. My memories of that trip are few. 3 The speedway got its nickname long before the stock car champions became stars. Up against the fence was 6 WEAVER, Mark 3 Drivers such as A. J. Foyt, Roger McCluskey, Jim Hurtubise, Jud Larson, Johnny Rutherford, and Bobby Unser took over after Tommy retired in 1960. Everyone came to share the moment and say goodbye. Local business owner A. T. Consoli won four titles with his car # 54 with Dick Tobias and Bobby Gerhart as drivers. WIMBLE, Bill Speedway Park. 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. was really wound up and getting louder. The ultimate irony, of course, is that it wasnt the last race. TOBIAS, Ron $14.99. EMERICH, Bob Tommy McAndrews The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. HIEBER, Gary 1 3 When the gates opened in 1916, there was not only a track, but a card of races extending over three days. BRIGHTBILL, Freddy Do they share their experiences? 1 PANTUSO, Vince Since 1911 the covered grandstand saw many generations pass and echoed the names of many champions. 1 3 6 FELTY, LeRoy 19 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. 1 7/9/65 In 1979 a limited racing series was held at the Fairgrounds as legal entanglements delayed development of the mall. It does not store any personal data. 17 It will run through Feb. 27. I dont mind to much. were up you did not get out of the pits. Ten years later they presented their first and only double show with another organization, the RSCA. BRAXTON, Bobby In 1955, apromoter named Lindy Vicari took over a tract of land and began weekly racing for the first time at the Reading Fairgrounds. I didnt begin producing my YouTube videos until 2009 (YouTube channel: RANLAY). house for rent waldport oregon; is thanos a villain or anti hero 1 STRUPP, Sonny lives in Zephyrhills,Fl and loves to talk about the good old days. 7 20 Open Document. KEMMERER, Jim 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. Jim Kirk VOSS, Larry Promoters brought the finest racecar drivers in the nation to the Reading area. 3 BREEDING, Walt 1 2 GEORGE, Del 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. 3 The brainchild of Jeff Hartman, Saturday's event has been over a decade in the making, with a few bumps along the way. 2019 Ted Fund Donors 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. MEAHL, Ken READING PA FAIRGROUNDS Modified Memories Dirt Track Kenny Brightbill RSCA - $40.80. Read all about Kenny Brightbill, Dick Tobias, Bobby Gerhart. 4 KREITZ JR, Don Your guess is as good as mine! Wikipedia provided this review of the Reading Fairgrounds Speedway. 9 It was a local driver named Tommy Hinnershitz that caused its beginning. 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. Reading had a string of yellow lights that ran overhead from the inside edge of the track to the outside edge of the track. 2 Vintage Modifieds, Racing Photos, Modified Stock Cars, Open Wheel and more. 1 10 ROHS, Steve The Reading Fairgrounds Racing Historical Society has assembled a display that includes vintage and restored cars and memorabilia and will be open throughout the show. 13 Serving folks since 2002. Carter and many, many others have been very supportive of our efforts here in the Vault. 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. 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. 5 Photo albums were sort of hit or miss during the early years of my trackchasing. 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. SHAW, Bob Or you can visit me on Facebook. 18 For $ 2.25 you could see some great dirt track 1 10/17/65 1 Since that time the site has grown to provide information about historical sites, landmarks, museums, parks, hotels and more. 1 Donny and I also raced, but the smaller version go 6 8/26/77 2 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. 21 GARBER, Harry The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. 1 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. RUDY, Jack SHEETZ, Tommy I had never given much thought to being a trackchaser. There was the sight of promoter Lindy Vicari in his grader, working the track surface to the optimum of tackiness the good kind. DELP, Russ 10/8/78 4/1/79 4 Use it! I do remember seeing something at the track that I had never seen before. 1 MATTA, Tony The speedway got its nickname long before the stock car champions became stars. 10 6 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. 4 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. 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. Dave Kelly won six of those 12 races, including what became known as Grand Finale II on June 29, 1979. 3 These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. 1 CRONCE, Howie 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. 3 4 We welcome your suggestions for articles for the GoReadingBerks website. TILLMAN, Herbie 1 EPPOLITE, Frank Thats trackchasingthe way I do it. frenzy already. Mainly during the 1970s, my friend, Donny Fisher (passed away years 2 3 Ill try to include them here. 1 Am now a Tony Raines, 3 Everyone came to share the moment and say goodbye. Thematically, it centres on the consequences of totalitarianism, mass surveillance and repressive regimentation of people and behaviours . 1 5/12/67 When the structure gave way, in 1979, to a multi-million dollar shopping mall, it was only memories that remained. 1 "Mr. Outside" Brightbill, # 5 "Mr. Carb Bobby Gerhart, and my 4 9/15/72 3 2 9/9/66 11 1977 Reading Fairgrounds RSCA Modifieds Program Kenny Brightbill. 3 The first auto racing stunts as a part of the Fair were presented in 1924. 031 60 52 60 Info@enchelab.com. 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. 1 Remembering Reading Fairgrounds Speedway #2819. Great fair memories made every year . Thats trackchasingthe way I do it. The Reading Fairgrounds Speedway is one of those long ago vintage tracks affectionately known as the Group of 71. BAILEY, Charlie 133, 42 more than the guy in second place in career wins and in that grand finale, Gerry Chamberlain. 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. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. 2 1 10/3/65 TROUT, Bob Local business owner A. T. Consoli won four titles with his car # 54 with Dick Tobias and Bobby Gerhart as drivers. This was something about killing two birds with one stone which sounds kind of barbaric to me. riding high in the turns of Brightbill. This profile needs more info. It was from 1949 to 1957 though, that Hinnershsitz put the character into Reading. RVI had a customer service operation in Ft. Washington, Pennsylvania. Golly, did Dad wake up then - told the 2 YOUNG, Bruce MURPHY, Johnny My Reading Fairgrounds Photo Collection from 1968 to 1979!! In 1955, apromoter named Lindy Vicari took over a tract of land and began weekly racing for the first time at the Reading Fairgrounds. 5 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. Reading Fairgrounds Racing Historical Society | Reading PA 5 Photo albums were sort of hit or miss during the early years of my trackchasing. | See more about Best cheese, Santander and Restaurant. Perfect condition. At midnight in the east it was only 9 p.m. in California (Pacific Time). This is what the Reading legends were made of.