Media Contact: Brett Deyo - Deyo99H@aol.com or 845.728.2781
For Immediate Release/February 19, 2011
-100-Plus Race Cars To Fill Fairgrounds Square Mall Feb. 20-26 -
Past, Present & Future Highlighted: Weeklong Reading Eagle-WEEU 830 AM 26th Annual Racing Legends Reunion & Car Show Kicks Off Tomorrow
READING, PA - History, present-day auto racing and future stars take the spotlight starting this weekend at the Fairgrounds Square Mall.
The 26th annual Racing Legends Reunion & Car Show presented by Reading Eagle and WEEU 830 AM kicks off tomorrow (Feb. 20) on the former site of the Reading Fairgrounds Speedway. The famed 'Home of Champions' hosted its final event in 1979, won by Dave Kelly. Over a quarter-century ago, the show originated in the mall located on the sacred piece of Berks County land.
More than 100 race cars in total flood the mall for the region's 2011 season kickoff, with a wide variety of vehicles on display, ranging from vintage/restored cars to current-day race cars (358-Modifieds, Sportsman, ARDC Midgets, Sprint Cars, Late Models) representing the dirt and pavement worlds, small cars (Micro-Sprints, Slingshots, XCel 600 Modifieds) and the next-generation's vehicles (go-karts and Quarter Midgets).
New this year, VP Racing Fuels has signed on as a sponsor and plans an expansive presence at the show.
The Racing Legends Reunion & Car Show, organized by BD Motorsports Media, offers more than a standard car show. Nightly activities, vendors,
speedway and sanctioning body displays, a slot car track, collectibles on sale and other attractions appeal to attendees at the weeklong show, which concludes Feb. 26.
Fans will decide the overall 'Best of Show' award winner this year via a ballot in the show program book (a ballot box is situated at center court). Show apparel produced by Bob Hilbert Sportswear will be on sale along with the souvenir programs. The event shirt pays homage to "Electrifying" Elvin Felty, Lauden Potts, the Valeriano Bellevue Diner No. 171 and late announcer Warren Ruffner.
The show operates during mall hours and offers free admission. The Fairgrounds Square Mall is located on 5th Street Highway in Reading, Pa.
During the week, each of the nights offers a unique theme/tribute to a different sector of motorsports.
Open Wheel
Pioneer Pole Buildings Inc. presents Open Wheel Night on Monday (Feb. 21), recognizing the talent of the United Racing Company (URC) Sprint Cars, ARDC wingless Midgets and SpeedSTR Series. Interviews on stage begin at 7 p.m. with URC defending champion Curt Michael and ARDC talents Brett Arndt, Bruce Buckwalter Jr., Ryan Watt, P.J. Gargiulo, Ryan Smith and Trevor Kobylarz among those scheduled to appear.
Small Car
Tuesday night (Feb. 22), presented by Reading Plastic Fabricators is dedicated to small car competitors with an invite to Micro-Sprint, Legends Car, XCel 600 Modifieds, Slingshot and Stage One Modified racers for on-stage interviews at 6:45 p.m.
At 7:30 p.m., 600Scene.com presents the 'Small Car Roundtable' on stage featuring Area Auto Racing News columnist Barry Angstadt, Kevin Steele of 600Scene.com, 600 Pro Series promoter Wayne Lesher, Doug Borger of XCel 600 Modifieds, Tim Henry of the Keystone Legends and Mike Dicely of HYPER Chassis. Pete Knappenberger of the Racers Roundtable will interact with the crowd and take questions for the panel.
Modified Madness
BPF Specialty brings 'Modified Madness' to the show Wednesday night (Feb. 23), spotlighting the area's rich dirt Modified talent pool. Slated to appear (stage, 7 p.m.) are Craig Von Dohren, Glenn & Jeff Strunk, Ryan Godown, Mike Gular, Doug Manmiller, Kevin Hirthler, Ryan Grim, John Willman, Terry Meitzler, Brad Grim and more.
The 2011 class of the BFP Specialty Young Guns for the PA 358-Modified circuit will be introduced with autographs to follow at the BFP Specialty display adjacent to center court.
Members of the BFP Specialty Young Guns take part in a slot car race at the Randy's Raceway setup at 6:30 p.m.
Berks County Historical Society presents a two-hour, live broadcast from WEEU 830 AM from center court from 3-5 p.m. featuring some of the past Reading Fairgrounds stars.
Late Model & Sportsman
Four Star Lettering & Graphics serves as the backer of Late Model & Sportsman Night on Thursday (Feb. 24). Guests include Kyle Merkel, a two-time winner with the Steel-Block Bandits Series last season, his older brother Sean of Late Model and Modified notoriety, Grandview Speedway Late Model past champion Chuck Schutz, Big Diamond 2010 Sportsman champ Craig Whitmoyer and others. Activities begin on stage at 7 p.m.
Remembering Reading Fairgrounds Speedway
Some 32 years after the final checkered flag waived at Reading, the speedway's stars still draw a crowd. On Friday night (Feb. 25) beginning at 7 p.m., the annual Reading Fairgrounds Reunion takes over center court of the mall. This year's edition is dedicated to the memory of Warren Ruffner, the speedway's legendary announcer who passed away recently. Expect memories, stories and some history of the 'Home of Champions' to dominate discussion. The Reading Fairgrounds Speedway Racing Historical Society will have a weeklong presence at the show offering reflections on Reading.
BASH Awards Party
Attention turns to the Temple Fire Company on Kutztown Friday night (Feb. 25) for the annual BASH Racing Party set to begin at 9 p.m. Show awards, including Best of Show (voted by fans), the Don Marks Memorial Award for an individual's contribution to motorsports and divisional awards will be presented at the BASH. Manmiller Electric is the awards sponsor. There will be racing videos by Gary Silverman Productions, music for dancing, snacks and a cash bar. Tickets will be on sale for $10. Ms. BD Motorsports Media Mandee Pauch serves as the BASH hostess.
Penn National Speedway Reunion
Penn National Speedway, the famed Grantville, Pa., oval that hosted its final event in 1996, is honored on Saturday (Feb. 26) at 7 p.m. with the second annual Penn National Speedway Reunion. The Penn National event is open to racers, car owners, officials, sponsors, etc. from the storied history of the 'Aristocrat of Race Tracks' facility.
Earlier on Saturday, at 3 p.m. on stage the future stars of racing will be recognized, bringing Quarter Midget, Junior Slingshot, go-kart and other youth racers brought on stage.
Guest Bartenders
The Applebee's location on 5th Street Highway adjacent to the mall has opened its doors for driver bartending on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday nights beginning at 9 p.m. Drivers planning to bartend are Brett Arndt, Ryan Watt, P.J. Gargiulo (Monday); Doug Manmiller, Kevin Albert Jr., Ryan Godown and Ryan Grim (Wednesday); and Sean and Kyle Merkel and Chuck Schutz (Thursday).
Speedways & Sanctioning Bodies
Among the speedway and sanctions to be represented at the show are Big Diamond, Grandview, Mahoning Valley Speedway (a first this year, bringing a pavement influence to the show), ARDC, URC, Speedway Entertainment, BD Motorsports Media, Thunder on the Hill Racing Series, Race of Champions, Shellhammer's Speedway, Kutztown Speedway, Montgomery County Quarter Midgets and LANCO's Clyde Martin Memorial Speedway.
Vendors, Activities & More
J&L Speed, the Hellertown, Pa., speed shop operated by Harry Landis and Jason Bashore's BFP Specialty of Bethel, Pa., set plans for show displays. VP Race Fuels plans a center court area exhibit. Randy's Raceway (Kutztown, Pa.) will have its slot car track operational. There will be DVDs, photos and plenty of collectibles on sale.
Organizations
The Reading Fairgrounds Speedway Racing Historical Society, Checkered Flag Fan Club, RAACE Foundation with an expansive display and Eastern Museum of Motor Racing (EMMR) are among the organizations planning to set up displays.
For further information on the Racing Legends Reunion & Car Show, contact show organizer Brett Deyo by phone at 845.728.2781 or via e-mail at Deyo99H@aol.com. A show schedule is updated on the web at http://www.bdmotorsportsmedia.com/ as it is finalized.
The affiliate events of the Racing Legends Reunion & Car Show are taking shape as well. Registration is underway for the Big Diamond Speedway Race Car Show at the Fairlane Village Mall (Pottsville, Pa.) March 7-12 at www.bdmotorsportsmedia.com and the fourth edition of the IRCO Dirt Track Heroes Show at the Phillipsburg Mall (Phillipsburg, N.J.) March 6-12 at www.thunderonthehillracingseries.com.
The 26th annual Racing Legends Reunion & Car Show is presented by Reading Eagle, WEEU 830 AM, VP Racing Fuels, Reading Plastic Fabricators, 600Scene.com, DJ Jammin' Jimmy Payne, Manmiller Electric, Pioneer Pole Buildings Inc., BFP Specialty, GSP Video, Berks County Historical Society, Four Star Lettering & Graphics, Racers Roundtable Radio and BD Motorsports Media.
26th Annual Racing Legends Reunion & Car Show Schedule of Events
Sunday, February 20 - 26th Annual Opening Day presented by VP Racing Fuels
11 a.m. - Show Kickoff
Monday, February 21 - Pioneer Pole Buildings Inc. Open Wheel Night
7 p.m. - Meet Drivers from ARDC, URC, SpeedSTR Series and more - Curt Michael, Mark Bitner, Brett Arndt, Ryan Watt, Ryan Smith, P.J. Gargiulo, Trevor Kobylarz and more
9 p.m. - Drivers Guest Bartend at Applebee's 5th Street Highway (adjacent to mall) - Brett Arndt, Ryan Watt, P.J. Gargiulo
Tuesday, February 22 - Reading Plastic Fabricators Small Car Night
6:45 p.m. - Micro-Sprint, Legends Car, Slingshot & XCel 600 Modified Drivers
7:30 p.m. - 600Scene.com Small Car Roundtable Discussion - Barry Angstadt of Small Cars-Big Buzz in Area Auto Racing News, Kevin Steele of 600Scene.com, 600 Pro Series promoter Wayne Lesher, Tim Henry of the Keystone Legends and XCel 600 Modified leader Doug Borger
Wednesday, February 23 - BFP Specialty Modified Madness Night - Introducing the 2011 BFP Specialty Young Guns of the PA 358-Modified Circuit
3-5 p.m. - Live WEEU 830 AM radio broadcast sponsored by Berks County Historical Society
7 p.m. - Meet drivers from the area's big- and small-block Modified divisions - Craig Von Dohren, Jeff & Glenn Strunk, Mike Gular, Ryan Godown, Doug Manmiller, Kevin Hirthler, Ryan Grim, John Willman, Terry Meitzler, Brad Grim and more
Introducing the 2011 BFP Specialty PA Young Guns: Michael Weinert, Jared Umbenhauer, Jordan Umbenhauer, Mike Lisowski, Billy Pauch Jr., Nick DeSantis, Sammy Piazza, A.J. DeSantis, Kyle Follweiler, Kevin Albert Jr., Danny Nicholas, Addison Meitzler, Brad Missimer, Jordan Umbenhauer, Carroll Hine III, Jimmy Horton IV - Young Guns will be available for autographs at the BFP Specialty display following interviews!
9 p.m. - Drivers Guest Bartend at Applebee's 5th Street Highway (adjacent to mall) - Ryan Godown, Doug Manmiller, Kevin Albert Jr., Ryan Grim
Thursday, February 24 - Four Star Lettering & Graphics Late Model & Sportsman Night
7 p.m. - Meet drivers from the Grandview Speedway Late Model division and regional Sportsman division - Sean & Kyle Merkel, Chuck Schutz, Kory Fleming, Late Model rookie contender Steve Butler, Craig Whitmoyer, Dave Dissinger and more
9 p.m. - Drivers Guest Bartend at Applebee's 5th Street Highway (adjacent to mall) - Sean & Kyle Merkel, Chuck Schutz
Friday, February 25 - Salute to the Reading Fairgrounds Speedway - 32 years later! A tribute to late announcer Warren Ruffner
6:30 p.m. - Reading Fairgrounds Speedway Reunion (Stage)
9 p.m. - BASH Racing Party @ Temple Fire Company on Kutztown Road - Show awards presented, Don Marks Memorial Contribution to Motorsports Award, music for dancing by DJ Jammin' Jimmy Payne, racing movies, cash bar, snacks and more! BASH award sponsor for 2011 - Manmiller Electric, Tickets $10
Saturday, February 26 - Salute to Penn National Speedway presented by DJ Jammin' Jimmy Payne
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
7 p.m. - DJ Jammin' Jimmy Payne-sponsored Penn National Speedway Reunion (Stage) - Former drivers, owners, officials, sponsors, fans, etc., gather to remember the Grantville, Pa., oval that closed its doors in 1996.
Sound provided all week by Racers Roundtable Radio Show on WXLV 90.3 Lehigh Valley Sundays 6-8 p.m.
- Mall Hours: Sunday 11 a.m-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-9 p.m. -
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