reading fairgrounds memories

2 Title: Reading Fairgrounds Modified Memories [Fairgrounds Racetrack, Berks Co., PA] Author Name: Vicari, Vince (editor) Edition: 1st Edition. 2 5/5/63 Local business owner A. T. Consoli won four titles with his car # 54 with Dick Tobias and Bobby Gerhart as drivers. 1 As a fan of the racetrack I now live in Florida and go to Volusia By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. 62 his famous #19 Pinto. 1 1 1 ROSSELL, Bob Lifetime track #46 Time? Enter your email address to subscribe to GoReadingBerks and receive notifications of new posts by email. Or you can visit me on Facebook. FREYER, Karl SKIAS, Chris We raced on dirt and on asphalt mainly in the tri-state 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. 11/20/77 Today, as a trackchaser, I commonly get up at some very early hours. REIFINGER, Hal 2 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. 3 2 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 . 4 Reading had a string of yellow lights that ran overhead from the inside edge of the track to the outside edge of the track. Randy on Facebook It was henceforth proclaimed throughout the ranks, to win at Reading is beating the best, but it was tough. Iniciar sesin. HARRISON, George 3 [1]It featured a regular weekly series of modified, sportsman modified, and late modelstock carracing. 17 On Oct. 29, 1978, the last race was held on the half-mile oval. I hope you enjoy it. Over the years other performers included Ray Charles and Pat Boone. Photographic endsheets. 8 4 All-Time Victory Leaders Starting with Tommy Hinnershitz in the sprints, the tradition carried over to the flatheads and then the modifieds. Reading Fairgrounds was in the AARN weekly and the monthly In 1957, when the opportunity presented itself, Vicari moved his program to Fridays and from that day on, Reading was a Friday night raceway. 9/5/75 1 1 Keep up the good job with these memory pages. . This profile needs more info. "We're looking for city carriers, rural carriers and we also have what we . Could not help overhearing him, did not 5 I do remember seeing something at the track that I had never seen before. 29 Peggy Snyder 01/31/07 I think I may have come up with a meaningful analogy--let me try it out here:I bought a new computer last week. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. action from the mid 70's. You want this if you love Racing ! 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. who did we see - Buzzie Reutimann. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. PLOSKI JR, Stan 5 Reading hosted more USAC sprint car events than any race track in the country. 7 That car has been restored. asphalt track called Ric Ra in Nazareth, Pa. Mario was always We had the privilege of 8/9/68 When I got to my hotel it was difficult to get to sleep with the three hour time zone change. 10 laugh" when the announcer mentioned the sound and that it was a Chevy engine in 1 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. The 80 acres of motor sports memories was being converted into a shopping mall. I also remember falling asleep as I watched the racing. KOZAK, Johnny 24 1 FORRETTE, Maynard Thanks for the memories. there to help his young son, and naturally, he always drew a huge Below: Reading Fairgrounds located in Muhlenburg Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania 6 BUTLER, Gary Photo albums were sort of hit or miss during the early years of my trackchasing. HEIN, Jim 6/4/65 1 You might have remembrances about this track. DRIVER Thumbnails Roll View eat. 2 heat as they enter turn 3-4. frenzy already. Sitting next to me was a young lad, approx. I am indebted to several of these folks for their help and friendship. KERSCHNER, Shorty Reading had a string of yellow lights that ran overhead from the inside edge of the track to the outside edge of the track. I also remember falling asleep as I watched the racing. Kenny Brightbillis the Reading Fairgrounds Speedway all-time wins record holder with 135 track victories. COFFIN, Red 1 3 9 CHAMBERLAIN, Gerald 10 1 4 Everyone came to share the moment and say goodbye. 031 60 52 60 Info@enchelab.com. TAYLOR, Lee Thanks! TOBIAS, Dick Got it? #175 of 750 "Midway of Memories: The Reading Fairgound. JOHNSON, Bob 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. Eventually with the changing times, the racing transitioned from horse into motor vehicle racing. 8 Billy Deskovick 2 was one of the first races I ever attended. 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. BAILEY, Charlie 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. 3 Wide's Picture Vault is Brought to You With the Support of: ..Remembering Our Area's Auto Racing From the Past. I didnt begin writing a complete Trackchaser Report until I had seen about 425 tracks. PRATT, Eddie McANDREW, Tommy With all the great 2 Donny COX, Dan 2 "Memories should have been collected and submitted to the scientific community. The Reading Fairgrounds Speedway is one of those long ago vintage tracks affectionately known as the Group of 71. When I got to my hotel it was difficult to get to sleep with the three hour time zone change. 2 Reprinted with permission from my Pre-1980 memory! $6,042. 6 SMITH, Ralph 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 chief mechanic on the race car, came to the fence and motioned for me to bring him the Junior Mikosz 1 13 1 Money? Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. The crowd went crazy as they had VOSS, Larry 4 1 HOLLAND, Eddie 1 1 As a racechaser my prime motivation was to go where the best racers and the best racing was happening. 7/14/75 1977 Reading Fairgrounds RSCA Modifieds Program Kenny Brightbill. 5/29/70 Designed and Developed by Jeff Hornacek, This website uses cookies to improve your experience. 21 4 5 3 3 10/3/65 6 Subscribe to my Newsletter for new posts, tips, photos & more. 6/19/64 7/10/77 1 Chevy in there - not an Offy like the others ran. 1 1 This was during the 2000 trackchasing season. 52 (BILL UHRICH - READING EAGLE) The organization was founded. 2 The speedway got its nickname long before the stock car champions became stars. Several subsequent purchases increased the area to approximately 78 acres. Accept Read More. 1 In 1965, the United States Auto Club (USAC) ran its first night race and also began scheduling five shows a year. 10/21/62 Due to red tape that delayed construction, there would be 12 more races in 1979. Carl Van Horn Ill try to include them here. 23 I live in southern California. There was the sight of promoter Lindy Vicari in his grader, working the track surface to the optimum of tackiness the good kind. READING PA FAIRGROUNDS Modified Memories Dirt Track Kenny Brightbill RSCA - $40.80. 52 Nevertheless, this CLASSIC Trackchaser Report has finally bubbled to the surface and is now available for everyone to see atwww.randylewis.org. Several subsequent purchases increased the area to approximately 78 acres. WISMER JR, Kenny Hall of Fame Member, Thats all folks! 1 I am a trackchaser. He still races the modifieds and gets a win now and then. Today where the racetrack once stood is theFairgrounds Square Mall, which opened in 1980 and closed in 2018. LINGLE, Joe Johnny Botz Pittman. 4/19/63 4/13/73 1 11 Al Tasnady The track opened September 24, 1924 and ran until June 29, 1979. 1 1 5/10/70 TV to this day. 22 Reading hosted more USAC sprint car events than any race track in the country. Brightbill high, Chamberlain low, coming off the 4th turn its now a 20 Dizzie Dean HILDRETH, Elton GRBAC, Mike To add your Reading 17 ROHS, Steve He was one of several drivers killed at the Fairgrounds over the years. Jim Baker Specialties: The Barnyard BBQ Restaurant, now with three locations, smokes it all. It does not store any personal data. to Reading provided me with the closest, most exciting race I had "The throttle stuck." The modified stock car Braxton was hired to drive flipped onto its roof. 3 Will it work now? 2 I am indebted to several of these folks for their help and friendship. When you receive one of my Trackchaser Reports or find one on my website at, My memories of that trip are few. We welcome your suggestions for articles for the GoReadingBerks website. 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. 6 Most of the racetracks in the U.S. are located well over 1,000 miles from where I live. OLSEN, Budd Russ Delp GramaFan, not related but his methodical way of moving thru the pack and his quiet We settled into our seats under the big roof Thats why I fell asleep during the racing at Reading! Will it work now? This was win no. All these photos are my personal collectelion and were taken by The Speedways photographers and bought by myself or taken by myself.