News from the 25th annual Racing Legends Reunion & Car Show

 

Dates and Details Coming Together For 25th Racing Reunion & Car Show; Don Marks To Be Honored

READING, PA - Planning for the 25th annual Reunion & Car Show at the Fairgrounds Square Mall is underway.

The off-season event is set for Feb. 21-27 on the former site of the Reading Fairgrounds Speedway off 5th Street Highway in Reading, Pa.

During the week, the mall will be jammed with current-day race cars representing many divisions and sanctioning groups, vintage and restored race cars, speedway exhibits and displays and vendors. Drivers of today and yesterday will be on hand periodically throughout the show for on-stage interviews and autograph sessions.

For the first time ever, a Penn National Speedway Reunion will be held on Sat., Feb. 27 at 5 p.m. to close out the show. The Grantville, Pa., oval ceased weekly racing operation in 1996. Drivers, crew members and officials from Penn National are welcome to attend.

Show management is in search of Penn National memorabilia and photos for display use. Contact Brett Deyo at: Deyo99H@aol.com or 845.728.2781 should you have items available.

The annual Reading Fairgrounds Speedway Reunion, long a highlight of the show, is planned for Friday night, Feb. 26 beginning at 6:30 p.m. The Reading Fairgrounds Racing Historical Society will again play a key role in memorializing the speedway that hosted its final event in 1979.

Following the Reading Reunion on Friday night, attention turns to the BASH Racing Party beginning at 9 p.m. at the Temple Fire Company. Tickets are $10 each and will be sold during the show and at the door.

Show awards will be distributed at the Bash, including a special award dedicated to the memory of late auto racing photographer Don Marks.

The first Don Marks Memorial Contribution to Motorsports Award will be presented to an individual that has contributed greatly to racing in the area. That individual can be a driver, team owner, crew member, official, media member or a fan. Those wishing to nominate a member of the motorsports community can do so by e-mailing Brett Deyo at: Deyo99H@aol.com. Please include the individual's first name, affiliation and a short description as to why this person deserves the award.

Marks, the longtime track photographer at Grandview (Pa.) Speedway and a contributor to Area Auto Racing News, passed away suddenly prior to the 2008 season.

Registration for race teams has officially begun. To register, visit www.bdmotorsportsmedia.com and complete the entry form posted on the home page.

Entry forms will be available at the Grandview Speedway Awards Banquet Dec. 5 in Gilbertsville, Pa. As always, space is limited and entries will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Move-in for teams will be Feb. 21, prior to the mall opening. Move-out is Feb. 27 after the mall closes.

Vendors, speedways and sanctioning bodies looking to reserve space should contact Brett Deyo as soon as possible by calling 845.728.2781 or Deyo99H@aol.com. Sponsorship opportunities are available for the BASH and show. Specifics can be obtained by calling or contacting Brett Deyo.

Show details will be updated as they become available on the web at: www.bdmotorsportsmedia.com.