HENDRICKSON, Lee Born in 1897, he witnessed the growth and expansion of the city which was once the 4th largest city in Pennsylvania with a population close to 130,000 not including unnaturalized citizens. 4 One lap Kenny led, the next Gerald was in KELLY, Joe Again, in the end of the 1962 season, another trial modified event was held. There was the sight of promoter Lindy Vicari in his grader, working the track surface to the optimum of tackiness the good kind. VOLZ, Tony [1]It featured a regular weekly series of modified, sportsman modified, and late modelstock carracing. 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. reading fairgrounds memories. The lad laughed and said to me - "you knew what motor it was". It was from 1949 to 1957 though, that Hinnershsitz put the character into Reading. 9/9/66 ISBN Number: B004U5368O. They are looking to fill all types of positions. 4 6 On April 13, 2016, Hull Property Group took over the Fairgrounds Square Mall, with plans to revitalize the mall. FOREWORD 3 Below: 1966 photo showing Mario Andretti # 9 dueling with Lone Star JR Johnny Rutherford. 6 This was during the 2000 trackchasing season. The 80 acres of motor sports memories was being converted into a shopping mall. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. They built a Horse Race Track and grandstands which were opened to the public in 1916. 2 5 CONRAD, Vince PLOSKI JR, Stan to Speedway Memories READINGER, Dan ever seen. where he loved it best. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. was..Kenny Brightbill 2 6 The Gus Yatron postal facility in Reading is holding a job fair Saturday. 1 5/27/77 CAGLE, Will "The throttle stuck." The modified stock car Braxton was hired to drive flipped onto its roof. 11 1 and got through the heats and consolations. Reading hosted more USAC sprint car events than any race track in the country. 5 4 were here. 2 I didnt begin writing a complete Trackchaser Report until I had seen about 425 tracks. 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. 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. DONAHUE, Joe PROMOTING EDUCATION ON THE READING FAIRGROUNDS RACING BY DISPLAYING MEMORABILIA AND PROVIDING A DISCUSSION PLACE WHERE RACE FANS CAN TEACH AND REMINISCE. KNEISEL, Dave 5 5 CARTER, Rags 9/3/71 1 Back his famous #19 Pinto. Date of experience: September 2012. When I got to my hotel it was difficult to get to sleep with the three hour time zone change. 4 12 Brightbill, Bobby Gerhart, among many others. laugh" when the announcer mentioned the sound and that it was a Chevy engine in 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 Billy Osmun When the structure gave way, in 1979, to a multi-million dollar shopping mall, it was only memories that remained. The racetrack was replaced by the Fairgrounds Square Mall, which opened in . Its very easy to do. Below: Lindy Vicari, shown below with pageant winners (unable to he identified), operated the Reading Fairgrounds from 1955 to 1979. 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. 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. If you love Reading Fairgrounds, visit Flemington Speedway, East Windsor Speedway, Bridgeport, Reading Fairgrounds, Nazareth Speedway, Harmony Speedway . Through turns 1-2 they Wish I would have had eyes in the back of my head when Joe Pittman, the father and DEAN, Dizzy By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Open Document. LONG, Tommy Golly, did Dad wake up then - told the http://www.readingfairgroundsracing.com/, Back By this time, the crowd decided we were going to the races at Reading. 12 10/15/67 Consequently Reading lost its local image and the RSCA was no longer the Reading Stock Car Assn., but the Racing Sanctioning Corporation of America. TILLEY, Ray 1 Reading is a culture, the moment a youngster is exposed to someone reading in the family they are fine tuned and the concept of books and readings would be in the back of their minds. If you have any photos from back in the day, send them to me [email protected]. 1 In 1999 construction began at the present-day Fairgrounds on 60 acres in Bern Township off County Welfare Road. 1 1 1 CAMERON, Alex USAC friends and fellow co-workers there. Dirt Track Cars 1 1 Copyright 2023 Randy Lewis - All Right Reserved. www.goreadingberks.com website, including a video capturing racing So many local drivers made the competition tough and exciting. 8/19/72 Bobby Gerhart 7/5/70 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,. Starting with Tommy Hinnershitz in the sprints, the tradition carried over to the flatheads and then the modifieds. 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. 2 My name is Randy Lewis (above with Hatem racing federation president Tunisia). Hall of Fame Member Since 1911 the covered grandstand saw many generations pass and echoed the names of many champions. Randy Lewis 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 Copyright 2021 GoReadingBerks | All Rights Reserved |. TROUT. 8/8/69 Additionally, if you see a website link know that link worked when the TR was originally written. 6/30/78 We usually had 7 a.m. eastern time breakfast meetings. 2 GEORGE, Del Click on the #31 what about Buzzie Reutimann ? Iniciar sesin Olvidaste tu cuenta? The track opened September 24, 1924 and ran until June 29, 1979. 1 5 3 1 Long BUSS, Del 1 Thematically, it centres on the consequences of totalitarianism, mass surveillance and repressive regimentation of people and behaviours . 3 Description This video is compiled of segments from Eastern Seedway Classics, Open Cockpit Classics, Stock Car Classics, Sprint & Champ Car Classics, Dirt Track Memories & 70's Review will take you back the 30's with the big cars, AAA & USAC sprint action of the 50's & 60's, finishing up during . My Reading Fairgrounds Photo Collection from 1968 to 1979!! McLAUGHLIN, Jackie 1 Several subsequent purchases increased the area to approximately 78 acres. VARNER, Donnie old who had many questions for his Dad. Again, in the end of the 1962 season, another trial modified event was held. 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. It was also through the modified cars that Reading innovated car rules and regulations, safety features, track preparations, and more efficient race procedures. My average trip covers 5,000 miles and more. 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. 3/12/67 I am a trackchaser. TOBIAS, Dick Have you ever in your life heard of trackchasing? Of all the things I disliked about business the east coast meetings in the east coast time zones was at the top of the list. The Reading Fair had it's first fair in 1854 at Penn's Commons, in what is now City Park. 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. 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. 1 KELLY, Dave ago) and myself were part of the faithful who attended any types of 11 1 JOHNSON, Jack FITZCHARLES, Paul 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. REIDER, Blackie 7 Thats why I fell asleep during the racing at Reading! You can print money in the privacy of your own home! 5/20/79 5 6 15 I do remember seeing something at the track that I had never seen before. 5 ERB, Mike Often a classic TR will not have a video and/or photo album attached. in dust. Have had 2 men email Dave Kelly won six of those 12 races, including what became known as Grand Finale II on June 29, 1979. Tommy Hinnershitzhad wins at the track early in his career. Iniciar sesin. Randy on Facebook This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Essay Sample Check Writing Quality. Dick Quallio Thanks for reading about my trackchasing, Peoria Old Timers Racing Club (P.O.R.C.) 18 ROMER JR, Joe I live in southern California. VAN KIRK, Billy Love We knew the dangers of racing as we were there when Jud Larson and Figuring out the logistics of a trip like that is as much fun for me as watching a figure 8 race.