30th Annual Reading Race Reunion & Car Show Draws Near; Show Coming Together Nicely
Reading, PA – The 30th Annual Berks-Schuylkill Oil Heat Association Reading Racing Reunion & Car Show, presented by Weichert Realtors Neighborhood One Action Track USA, begins on February 22nd at the Fairgrounds Square Mall. And the show’s new director, Brad Reinert, while still working furiously to finalize a multitude of details, is pleased with the manner in which the week long motorsports extravaganza is coming together.
With the assistance of some of the staff and management team from Action Track USA, Reinert has worked extremely hard to assemble a large fleet of race cars, local speedways, and nightly activities for the week-long show that will run from February 22 – 28. As of February 11, more than 100 racing machines are committed to decorate the mall from end to end, but there’s still some space available for last minute entries.
“We can accomodate some additional cars,” said Reinert, “but I’ve got to know they’re coming. Race teams need to contact me (prior to move in time at 9 p.m. on February 21) if they’d like to place their cars in the show.”
Race cars of every shape and size will fill the mall, with the area’s dirt and asphalt Modifieds, Late Models, Sprint Cars, Midgets, and SpeedSTR’s among the mix, along with racers from the various small car divisions such as Micro-Sprints, Slingshots, Xcel Modifieds, Karts, and Quarter-Midgets.
Race teams wishing to display their creations can download the show’s registration form at www.actiontrackusa.com. Questions and/or registration commitments should be directed to Reinert at breinert40@comcast.net or by phone at 610-401-3348.
Reinert also announced a new marketing partner for the show. In addition to the Berks-Schuylkill Oil Heat Association (www.bsoha.org), Recovery Coaching Services, Inc. has now aligned itself with the Reading Racing Reunion & Car Show. Sam Albert, whose family became synonomous with the Reading Fairgrounds race track and a Berks County institution through its Sammy’s Steaks business, now dedicates himself to serving individuals and families in their journey to recovery from alcoholism and addiction by providing support and guidance through recovery coaching to ensure the best possible outcome.
A pair of very special awards will be handed out on Monday and Tuesday, February 23rd and 24th, at the show. Both awards are going to Berks County natives who began their careers at the Reading Fairgrounds, then went on to have continued success while making an impact at the national level of short track racing. Area political leaders will be on hand with special proclamations for these two deserving racers.
Other news released by Reinert included a new sponsor for the Tire Changing Competition that will take place at 3 p.m. on Saturday, February 28. Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic joins NAPA Auto Parts and Yuasa in presenting the contest pitting two-person teams against each other and the clock. There will be three divisions of tire changing involving a Modified, a Micro Sprint, and a Vintage Car. The Tire Changing Awards presentation will immediately follow the competition.
“We’re still signing up teams for the tire changing competition,” said Reinert. “And we’re looking for more teams to take part in this contest. It would be pretty cool to see race tracks challenge one another, or maybe a Modified duo versus a Sprint Car team, or something like that.” Potential contestants can sign up by contacting Reinert prior to or during the week of the show.
Also on Saturday, the 28th at 3 p.m., there will be an Old Timers Autograph Session, as a Legends Reunion Encore takes place for those former drivers who are not able to attend Friday night’s Old Timers Reunion.
The Bash will commence at the conclusion of Friday night’s activities at the mall. The annual “after party” gets underway at Jimbo’s Steaks and Sandwich Shop, 3400 Plaza Drive, Suite 3, just off of Bellevue Avenue (across the street from Unique Pretzels about two blocks from the Fairgrounds Square Mall). Tickets are already on sale for the Bash, and the $20 ticket price is good for food, beer, soda, and music. There will also be a cash bar, and the Best of Show Awards will be presented during the Bash as well.
“All monies collected – the $25 to enter cars in the show and the $20 ticket price for the Bash – will be used to offset the cost of the show itself and for the Bash,” stated Reinert. “Everything money-wise goes back into the show.”
Tickets for the Bash are currently available at Jimbo’s, at Business Link in Kutztown, or by contacting Brad Reinert. The tickets can also be purchased during the show at the Bob Hilbert Sportswear booth, which will be open for business each day of the Reading Racing Reunion & Car Show.
In addition to the display by the Reading Fairgrounds Historical Society, the group dedicated to keeping the memories of Nazareth and Harmony Speedways will have a display of memorabilia and vintage racecars at the mall.
Just a sampling of the cars that are expected to be parked proudly inside the mall during the final week of the month include the beautiful new Modifieds of Craig Von Dohren and Jared Umbenhauer, the USAC Championship SpeedSTR driven by Kenny Brightbill, and the winged 410 Sprint Car chauffered by Don Kreitz, Jr. It all begins, for the 30th consecutive year, on February 22nd.
“Sunday the 22nd, which is my birthday by the way, we’ll kick off the show with a presentation at 12:15…and it will take place right on the start/finish line of the former speedway, which is directly in front of the Your Bet store (between the movie theaters and the Subway restaurant). We are asking everyone to celebrate my birthday by bringing a canned good (of non-perishable food) as a donation to the Greater Berks Food Bank. The donation will be in honor of the Reading Fairgrounds Racing Historical Society,” stated Reinert.
The show will have plenty of interesting and enjoyable activities for both the hardcore and casual motorsports enthusiasts. Reinert has planned some special movie nights at the Cinema; there will be Celebrity Appearances and interviews each night; some very special awards will be presented to local racers throughout the week; there will be a Reading Fairgrounds Trivia game; Gary Silverman racing videos will play each night; Model Car Alley Racing will once again take place; technical round table discussions will focus on the direction of the sport; and there will be a plethora of vendors selling and displaying their race-related merchandise.
Local race tracks already on board and set to hand out 2015 schedules at their display include Grandview Speedway, the JeffreyHogueRealtor.com Action Track USA in Kutztown, Linda’s Speedway, and Lanco’s Clyde Martin Memorial Speedway, with several additional tracks expected to confirm their attendance with the next few weeks.
Bob Hilbert Sportswear is designing and producing very attractive 2015 Reading Racing Reunion commemorative tee-shirts and sweatshirts that will be sold at the show.
The nightly schedule is as follows:
Saturday, February 21 at 9 p.m. – race cars, with the exception of Vintage Cars, will move into the mall.
Sunday, February 22 – the show opens with a presentation, at 12:15 p.m., to the Greater Berks Food Bank. All attendees are encouraged to bring a non- perishable canned food item as a donation.
Monday, February 23 – Open Wheel Night with interviews of drivers in the Micro-Sprint, Midget, and Sprint Car divisions. Also: a “must see” award presentation to a very accomplished local driver who began his career at the Reading Fairgrounds.
Tuesday, February 24 – Weichert Realtor Neighborhood One Action Track USA Night, featuring interviews with drivers from the track’s weekly divisions and its promotional team. Another “can’t miss” award presentation to a local driver who attained much success during and after his Reading Fairgrounds career.
Wednesday, February 25 – Modified Madness and Late Model/ Street Stock/ Road Runner Night highlighted by driver interviews from each of these divisions.
Thursday, February 26 – Local track and Race Club Night…updates on the upcoming season and area clubs’ young, up-and-coming drivers will be in the spotlight.
Friday, February 27 – NAPA Old Timers Reunion – interviews with the Legends of the Reading Fairgrounds. BASH begins at 9 p.m. at Jimbo’s Steaks & Sandwich Shop…Best of Show Awards, Driver Appearances, Music until ???
Saturday, February 28 at 3 p.m. – Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic, NAPA and Yuasa Batteries present Tire Changing Competition for Modified, Small Car, and Vintage Car divisions. NOTE: Vintage Car tires will be changed with an old style, manual four-way lug wrench. Also: Old Timers Autograph Session & Reunion Encore at 3 p.m.
Show ends when mall closes at 9 p.m. Cars will be moved out when mall is closed.
More details regarding the show will be released as they are confirmed.
Reinert is seeking additional marketing partners for the show; businesses or individuals who are interested in becoming a part of this 30th annual event should contact Brad Reinert at the email address or phone number listed above.
