News from the 27th annual Racing Legends Reunion & Car Show
For Immediate Release/Feb. 21, 2012
ARDC, URC and TSRS Spotlighted at Racing Legends Reunion Monday 'Open Wheel Night' Activities; 'Modified Madness' Set for Tuesday at Fairgrounds Square Mall
READING, PA - Stars from the open wheel ranks turned out Monday for 'Open Wheel Night' at the 27th annual Racing Legends Reunion & Car Show.
Drivers representing the United Racing Company (URC) 360 Sprint Cars, ARDC Midgets and TSRS 305 Sprint Car group hit the stage at the Fairgrounds Square Mall center court to discuss their plans for the fast-approaching 2012 season. 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.
Tonight (Tues., Feb. 21) 'Modified Madness' and the stars of the region's dirt Modified ranks are in the spotlight at the show. Following the center court interviews, Ryan Watt, Mike Gular, Brad Missimer and Kyle Follweiler will serve as guest bartenders at the Applebee's on 5th Street Highway (in the mall parking lot) at approximately 9 p.m.
URC standout Randy West, driver of the Fred Kennedy owned Sprint Car, offered his thoughts on stage of the new double-file, Delaware-style starts for URC and the influx of 358 engines for 2012. West spoke of his experiences in a 360 Sprint Car and climb from the Micro-Sprint ranks, which he dominated.
Consistent 360 Sprint Car talent Josh Weller talked about the uncertainty of his plans for the new season. Weller was left without a ride this off-season when the Kathy and Pat Palladino No. 99 team announced it would not compete regularly with URC. Weller is hoping to put together a program to chase URC points.
The 2011 champion of the TSRS 305 Sprint Car division which races primarily in New Jersey, Jackson, N.J., driver Chris Allen, discussed his title winning season and move from Sportsman racing to the rapidly growing 305 Sprint ranks.
From ARDC, Driver Representative P.J. Gargiulo, youthful drivers Alex Bright, Trevor Kobylarz, Tim Buckwalter and driver/car owner/ARDC Vice President Greg Fitzpatrick provided their insights on the wingless Midget group where 'three-wide and side-by-side is standard.' New ARDC PR Director Deb Smith was introduced to the crowd and she outlined an ambitious schedule for the club this year.
After show hours, West, Gargiulo, Brett Arndt and Allen served guests as celebrity bartenders at the Applebee's 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 (Pa.) Speedway/Thunder on the Hill Racing Series, Big Diamond (Pa.) Speedway, Bridgeport (N.J.) 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.
Each night of the show features a theme: Modified Madness highlighting the stars of the region's big- and small-block Modified ranks (Tues., Feb. 21), Sportsman/Late Model Showcase (Wed., Feb. 22) and Small Car Spotlight (Thurs., Feb. 23). Personalities from each of the racing genres will be out to meet with fans and speak about their plans for the fast-approaching race season.
On Tuesday and Thursday nights, drivers representing different sectors of motorsports will tend bar at the Applebee's location adjacent to the mall on 5th Street Highway.
WEEU 830 AM "The Voice of Berks and Beyond" plans a live broadcast from the mall's center court on Wednesday (Feb. 22) afternoon from 3-5 p.m. featuring many of the past Reading Fairgrounds Speedway stars.
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
Tuesday, February 21 - Modified Madness Night
7 p.m. - Drivers from the area's big- and small-block Modified divisions hit the stage - Jeff Strunk, Ryan Watt, Barry White, Andy Burkhart, Mike Gular, Michael Weinert, Brad Missimer, Kevin Albert Jr., Kyle Weiss, Kyle Follweiler, John Willman, Brad Grim, Brad Arnold and more. Meet Bridgeport (N.J.) Speedway's new promoter and legendary dirt Modified driver Doug Hoffman
9 p.m. - Driver Bartending at Applebee's 5th Street Highway - Ryan Watt, Mike Gular, Brad Missimer and Kyle Follweiler
Wednesday, February 22 - Sportsman & Late Model Showcase
3-5 p.m. - WEEU 830 AM Live Radio Broadcast with stars of Reading Fairgrounds at Center Court
7 p.m. - Meet drivers from the Late Model and Sportsman divisions -- Sportsman drivers talk about their new Saturday racing opportunities at Grandview Speedway - Paul Kline, Craig Whitmoyer, Jared Umbenhauer, Bill Henning, Greg Hoffmaster and more
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 Day
3 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. -
No comments:
Post a Comment