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

 

Enthusiasm High For 25th Racing Legends Reunion & Car Show; Exhibitors, Racers & Vendors Signing On

READING, PA - Enthusiasm among speedways, sanctioning bodies, race teams and vendors is high for the upcoming 25th annual Racing Legends Reunion & Car Show at the Fairgrounds Square Mall.

The off-season event is set for Feb. 21-27, 2010 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.

Returning to the show this year, Big Diamond (Pa.) Raceway officials will be on hand to distribute schedules, rules, membership applications and other pertinent information looking ahead to the 2010 season at the Anthracite Region clay oval.

Grandview (Pa.) Speedway management has confirmed the one-third-mile Bechtelsville, Pa., oval will be represented at the show. Membership registration, schedules and other details for the '10 campaign will be made available.

The Reading Fairgrounds Speedway Historical Society has signed on to coordinate a vintage display with memorabilia to celebrate the esteemed history of the famed speedway, which hosted its final event in 1979.

For small-car enthusiasts, The Fairgrounds at Kutztown (Pa.) Speedway and LANCO group from the Clyde Martin Memorial Speedway in Brickerville, Pa., will be on hand with displays.

Doug Borger, the series coordinator for the XCel Chassis 600 Modifieds plans to attend to distribute schedules and answer questions regarding a busy '10 season for the group.

Rich Tobias Jr., the creator of the SpeedSTR and Slingshot affordable racing divisions, has set plans to attend with a display. Tobias will also offer an interactive discussion on his forms of racing during the weeklong event.

On Wed., Feb. 24, 600Scene.com will present a "Small Car Roundtable" on stage at 7 p.m. Panelists will be announced as the show approaches.

With the popularity of Enduro racing expanding at Grandview, Big Diamond and other venues, NEETS owner Joe Cutri will bring a first-time-ever NEETS display to the show. Cutri has also agreed to present an "Introduction to Enduro Racing" on stage at 2 p.m. to kick off the show on Sun., Feb. 21.

The Montgomery County Quarter Midget Racing Club will assemble an impressive display that will include eight cars.

For the second consecutive year, Randy's Raceway of Kutztown, Pa., will have an HO slot car track set up during the show. The six-lane oval track owned by Randy Haydt was a big hit during the '09 show.

Entries are beginning to pour in for race teams. Among the early entries is 2009 Grandview Speedway NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Late Model champion Brian Shuey, who will display his Dave and Charlotte Eyrich-owned No. 5x. The show's first official entry was the Keith Prutzman 358 Sprint Car.

Veteran racer Bill Gensler, who has participated in every edition of the Reading show, has filed an entry for his familiar No. 57 small-block Modified.

Race team entries will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis. As usual, space is limited. Registration forms are available on the web at: www.bdmotorsportsmedia.com.

A number of events are planned for the '10 version of the show.

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. Those planning to attend are asked to please register with Brett Deyo, preferably via e-mail at: Deyo99H@aol.com.

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. Lee Myles Transmissions will supply the sound for the BASH again this year.

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 full 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. 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.