Reading Racing Reunion Bash Returns In 2015; New Site For Popular Show's "After Party"

The Bash is back.

  

  For many years, the popular way to unwind after a Friday night at the Reading Racing Reunion & Car Show has been to attend the Bash, where some beverages and food, along with awards presentations and racing movies combined with some good old bench racing among the local racing community and its friends.

  

  This year, after the Friday night festivities at the 30th Annual Berks-Schuylkill Oil Heat Association Reading Racing Reunion & Car Show, presented by Weichert Realtors Neighborhood One Action Track USA, the "after party" will convene at Jimbo's Steaks & Sandwich Shop, 3400 Plaza Drive, Suite 3, just off of Bellevue Avenue and close to the site of the show at the Fairgrounds Square Mall. 

  Brad Reinert, the Reading Racing Reunion & Car Show's new director, is excited about the new venue for the Friday, February 27 Bash, which will begin at 9 p.m. 

  "Jim Hartman is a huge racing fan, and everyone attending the Bash will realize that when they walk into Jimbo's. The walls are adorned with photos and memorabilia that pay tribute to the Reading Fairgrounds and racing in general," said Reinert.

  Tickets for the Bash are now available at Jimbo's, at Business Link in Kutztown, or by contacting Reinert. The tickets can also be purchased during the week of the show; those interested should see Reinert or Doug Rose at the JeffreyHogueRealtor.com Action Track USA display in the mall. The tickets will also be sold at the Bob Hilbert Sportswear booth during the week. Tickets are $20 and include beer, soda, food, and music by DJ Pete Knappenberger of Racers Roundtable. All of the "Best Appearing" show awards will be presented at the Bash as well. 

  While entries have been coming in at a nice pace, Reinert says he's still got room for more as 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 should be directed to Reinert at breinert40@comcast.net or by phone at 610-401-3348. 

  Unique Pretzels, located less than a mile from the Fairgrounds Square Mall (and across Bellevue Avenue from Jimbo's), will provide product giveaways for show attendees throughout the week.

  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 the 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 - Vintage Cars move in during the morning, then 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 and the track's promotional team.

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. After the mall closes, the Bash will take place at Jimbo's Steaks & Sandwich Shop, 3400 Plaza Drive, Suite 3, Reading, PA 10605. Bash will run from 9 p.m. until ???

Saturday, February 28 - 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. Best of Show Awards will follow the Tire Changing Competition.

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.