News from the 27th Annual Racing Legends Reunion & Car Show
For Immediate Release/Feb. 23, 2012
Sportsman & Late Model Drivers Shine Wednesday During 27th Annual Racing Legends Reunion & Car Show; Small Car Spotlight On Deck Tonight
READING, PA - Sportsman and Late Model competitors were recognized on Wednesday at the 27th annual Racing Legends Reunion & Car Show.
Drivers from the Sportsman ranks, which have been added to the Saturday night wars at Grandview (Pa.) Speedway as a weekly division, and the full-fender Late Model class discussed 2012 plans with announcer Jeff Ahlum in Center Court at the Fairgrounds Square Mall. The show continues through Saturday at the shopping center on the Muhlenberg Township site of the former Reading Fairgrounds Speedway, which hosted its final event in June 1979. Admission is free and the show is open during mall operating hours.
Representing the Sportsman divison were Craig Whitmoyer, Jared Umbenhauer, Paul Kline and lady racer Katie McCardle. Whitmoyer, a multi-time champion at Big Diamond (Pa.) Speedway, will be joining the Grandview ranks as a two-night-per-week racer. Umbenhauer, likewise, has an ambitious slate of events planned. He will compete at Big Diamond, Grandview and hopes to follow the entire Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour. Umbenhauer was a RoC winner at Big D and Grandview last year.
The veteran racer Kline joins the Grandview Sportsman division for '12, while McCardle readies for a second full season at Big Diamond.
From the Late Model ranks, Grandview's reigning champion Chuck Schutz looked back on his title-winning season at the Berks County clay oval and welcomed new marketing partner Pioneer Pole Buildings for the new season. Bill Henning talked about taking the '11 season off from Grandview Late Model racing, how much he missed being on the track and why he decided to make a return for his 20th season.
Tom Herbert discussed the restoration of the No. 18 "Pink Panther" Late Model displayed at the show in honor of Grandview's 50th anniversary.
Tonight (Thurs., Feb. 23) Barry Angstadt of Area Auto Racing News, LANCO and Kutztown (Pa.) Fairgrounds Speedway hosts "Small Car Night" at the show featuring interviews with drivers from the Micro-Sprint, XCel 600 Modified and Slingshot ranks at 7 p.m. Following the activity at the mall, Kevin Steele, Richie Hartman, Eric Whitby and Joe "Geezer" Fanelli will guest bartend at the Applebee's on 5th Street Highway, adjacent to the mall.
The past, present and future of auto racing is represented at the show. From Quarter Midgets to current-day race cars and restored cars of yesteryear, there is something for everyone. Fans can expect to see Modifieds, ARDC Midgets, Slingshots, XCel Modifieds, Quarter Midgets, restored/vintage vehicles, Micro-Sprints, SCCA cars, Street Stocks and more.
A number of local speedways/sanctioning bodies have set up displays offering information and 2012 schedules including Grandview Speedway/Thunder on the Hill Racing Series, Big Diamond Speedway, Bridgeport Speedway, BD Motorsports Media, ARDC, LANCO's Clyde Martin Memorial (Pa.) Speedway and the Montgomery County Quarter Midget Racing Club.
The Reading Fairgrounds Racing Historical Society occupies a mammoth display with nearly a dozen restored/vintage stock cars plus memorabilia and more from the famed 'Home of Champions' Reading Fairgrounds Speedway, which hosted its final event in June 1979. The Eastern Museum of Motor Racing also set up a sizeable exhibit.
Hot-off-the-press special edition 27th annual Racing Legends Reunion & Car Show apparel is on sale featuring the cars of Dave Kelly (Reading's final winner), Toby Tobias and Fred Rahmer (as part of Grandview's 50th anniversary celebration). Show programs are also available. Vendors offering unique racing collectibles from the sport's future and past are spread throughout the mall.
Mike Feltenberger hosts his wildly popular "alley racing" at the show, with participants expected from six states throughout the week.
On Friday night (Feb. 24), the annual 'Home of Champions' Reading Fairgrounds Speedway Reunion is joined by a Grandview 50th Anniversary celebration at center court beginning at 7 p.m. Dave Kelly, the winner of the historic final event at the Reading Fairgrounds Speedway, will return north from his home in Florida to participate in Friday's festivities, sponsored by Cash Capitol and Savage 61 Dodge.
A number of past champions and stars from Grandview will be on hand to celebrate the half-century history of the Bechtelsville, Pa., oval under the direction of the Rogers family.
The popular BASH Awards Party returns to the Temple (Pa.) Fire Company on Friday (Feb. 24) following the activities at the mall. The BASH Awards party is often the most memorable event of the show for attendees! The BASH begins at 9 p.m. - after the activities end at the mall - and provides a Friday night fun destination to present show awards, enjoy some bench racing, beverages, snacks, racing films and music for dancing.
The highlight award of the BASH is the Don Marks Memorial Contribution to Motorsports Award, which will be handed out for the third time. Marks was a longtime photographer for Area Auto Racing News and served as the official track photographer for Grandview Speedway for more than a quarter century. An active Eastern Motorsport Press Association member, Marks passed away suddenly prior to the start of the 2008 season.
Annually, the Don Marks award is presented to an individual who has contributed greatly to the sport - media member, sponsor, promoter, driver, car owner, etc. Previous Don Marks Award winners are former racer/car owner/fabricator Dennis "Chico" Bailey (2011) and Area Auto Racing News publisher/editor Len Sammons (2010).
S&W Awards of Lindley, N.Y., has signed on as a show supporter and will produce eye-catching hardware for the BASH.
The 'Best of Show' award will be decided by show attendees via a ballot printed in the program book. Attending media members decide the remaining divisional awards: Best Modified, Best Late Model, Best Open Wheel, Best Restored Car, Best Micro-Sprint, Best Small Car, Best Go-Kart and Best Quarter Midget.
Racing films at the BASH are provided by GSP Video's Gary Silverman, the official videographer of the PA 358-Modified circuit at Big Diamond and Grandview. 'Jammin' Jimmy Payne of Lebanon, Pa. - a former racer - serves as the DJ for the second straight year.
Tickets are $10 each and will be available at the apparel/program stand during the mall show and at the door for the BASH. The Temple Fire Company is located at 4963 Kutztown Road Temple, PA 19560.
For more information on the 27th annual Racing Legends Reunion & Car Show, visit www.bdmotorsportsmedia.com, e-mail Deyo99H@aol.com or call 845.728.2781.
27th Annual Racing Legends Reunion & Car Show Schedule of Events
Thursday, February 23 - Small Car Spotlight
7 p.m. - Meet drivers from the XCel 600 Modified, Slingshot, Micro-Sprint divisions and more (hosted by Area Auto Racing News columnist Barry Angstadt) - Jordan Dreher, Joe Fanelli, Eric Whitby, Zach Fisher, Steve Walters, Richie Hartman, Ryan Suchon, Jeromy Guistwite, Kevin Steele and more
9 p.m. - Driver Bartending at Applebee's 5th Street Highway - Richie Hartman, Joe Fanelli, Eric Whitby and Kevin Steele
Friday, February 24 - Salute to the Reading Fairgrounds Speedway and Grandview Speedway's 50th Anniversary Celebration presented by Capitol Cash Exchange and Savage 61 Dodge
6:30 p.m. - Meet drivers from the Reading Fairgrounds Speedway which hosted its final event in 1979 and celebrate the 50th anniversary of Grandview Speedway with stars from the past and present at the Bechtelsville, Pa., clay oval. Contact Donna Miller at TOTH98@aol.com for information on the Grandview celebration
9 p.m. - BASH Racing Party - Temple Fire Company - Tickets are $10 (purchased at the door or at the show apparel table) - Show awards presented including fan vote Best of Show, divisional awards and Don Marks Memorial Contribution to Motorsports Award. Racing films by Gary Silverman of GSP Video and music by DJ Jammin' Jimmy Payne
Saturday, February 25 - Family Fun Day3 p.m. - The Next Generation Stars - Meet the driving talent of the future with Quarter Midget, Go-Kart, Junior Slingshot and other youth recognized
Alley Model Racing organized by Mike Feltenberger runs throughout the week!
- Mall Hours: Sunday 11 a.m-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-9 p.m. -
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