RMR Motorsports Legends History

RMR was Ralph’s idea, Ralph and Marina (Renie) Rehrig Motorsports. Thinking ahead, Ralph knew he had to keep his wife involved for the team to grow and succeed. In the spring of 2000 Ralph, Renie and a friend took the 17R to Linda’s Speedway for it’s maiden run. Ralph was the pilot. This was an exciting night for all 3 of the crew! Amazingly, Ralph qualified the car and had his first of two career runs! Driver Jason Rochelle joined RMR this first season and ran a limited 13 races for the team.

Spring 2001 saw a major change for Ralph as he retired from 33 years of fire service with the Hatfield Fire Co. Ralph and Renie relocated north to Upper Salford PA. This new location offered an on site race shop with room to expand and park the race cars and hauler.

2001 and 2002 saw the team slowly growing , a second car was added for asphalt racing, a 1934 style Ford sedan also numbered 17R. The highlight of the 2002 season was winning the Legends Car point championship at Wall Township Speedway. A very long and trying season was rewarded on the final night with many memories that could never be forgotten.

For the beginning of the 2003 season the 37 Ford coupe was rebuilt and renumbered. The car became the 7R, a 1934 Ford sedan for dirt racing, the 17R sedan was Jason’s asphalt ride. In addition a Stealth 600 micro sprint was added to the stable. In September of this year, the team asked veteran driver Ronnie Dunstan to join them on a road trip to NC. Both the 7R and 17R cars would be run on southern dirt tracks. This was the first time the drivers ran together and the very beginning of a successful, old dog, young dog team! In October the drivers and entire RMR team headed to Joplin MO for the Legend car dirt nationals. RMR was extremely happy with the 3rd and 4th place pro division finishes for Ronnie and Jason.

For the 2004 season Ronnie was asked to join RMR as a full time driver, the 600 micro sprint was sold, and two additional Legends cars were added. RMR would field two 7R’s for Ronnie, both dirt and asphalt, and two 17R’s for Jason both dirt and asphalt cars. The goal for 2004 was successful dirt racing. The RMR team was proud to have 12 wins in 32 events. Ronnie won the inaugural Susquehanna Speedway Park Legends Car Championship and Jason captured the Keystone Legends Car Tour Series for 2004.

2005 began with the four RMR cars freshened over the winter months. The season started in January with a win on the dirt at Lake City FL, and ended with a win in November at WTS Turkey Derby. Over the year the RMR team competed in 36 events, winning 18 times! Ronnie earned a second consecutive championship at Susquehanna Speedway Park and the title of PA state Pro Division Dirt Champion. Jason Rochelle earned his second consecutive championship with the Keystone Legends Car Tour Series. Jason also won the Turkey Derby at WTS for the 3rd consecutive year!

2006 saw Ronnie and Jason return as premier drivers and also the addition of a 5th car the number 77R as a team backup car. In 2006 the RMR team also expanded to a new division of racing, the Tobias Slingshots. RMR partnered with Tom Mayberry and his son TJ Mayberry in a slingshot car # 27R painted in the now familiar RMR colors of Red and Black. 2006 was a special season for the team, Ronnie moved to the masters division of INEX dirt racing and Jason remained in the pro division, this allowed the teammates to accumulate national points in each division and work toward dual championships. In October after a long season of local dirt racing, RMR traveled to Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, MO for the INEX Dirt Nationals. Ronnie succeeded in winning the masters race and the National Championship. Jason secured the Pro division race and the Pro National Championship. Locally Jason won the Legends championships at Path Valley Speedway, Susquehanna Speedway and the Central Pa Legends Tour. Ronnie was second in all three titles, all in all an amazing season.

The 2007 Season began with high hopes as every racing season does, Ronnie and Jason returned to the 7R and 17R respectively, TJ Mayberry was in his second year running the 27R Tobias Slingshot and Tom Mayberry was committed to run RMR Legends car #27R when available. Ronnie had 6 feature wins on the season including a memorable one June 23rd at Crystal Motor Speedway in MI. Ronnie put on a great show for the fans that evening, the Legends dirt master showed the fans exactly how it is done! On the evening of August 9th an event occurred that changed Ronnie and our entire team dramatically. Ronnie experienced a severe stroke and was partially paralyzed. The entire racing community rallied it’s support and slowly Ronnie is improving. Tom Mayberry and Jason Rochelle finished the season in fine style, and the decision was made to have TJ step up to the Legends division full time in 2008.

2008. By February the RMR team had prepared the race cars for the Reading Reunion Mall Show and the season. 7R for Ronnie Dunstan hoping he had progressed enough to return. 17R, Jason Rochelle, 27R, Tom Mayberry and the 16JR, for TJ Mayberry’s rookie season in legends. Along with these four primary cars, the team had two back up’s the 76R coupe and the 77R sedan. Jason Rochelle had 3 wins in the RMR cars when he left the team in May. Tom Mayberry had two wins on the season, one on a road trip to Mercer Speedway July fourth when trouble arose. Tom was suddenly sidelined due to a torn shoulder muscle injury, although Tom wanted to wait until the season ended for surgery, it was not in his best interest to do so. Tom joined Ronnie on the sidelines helping where ever possible with each of them having only one good arm. Several drivers were called on to helped fill the gaps left by Ronnie and Tom. First the team would like to thank Tom’s brother Mike Mayberry, one of the best crew members ever, stepped up and piloted the 76R several times. Rob Sobieski also ran the 17R for the team. Doug Manmiller put in a couple of great runs in the 17R at TOTH shows. Doug has real promise as a Legends driver. Finally a huge debit is owed to Frank Polimeda, Frank was able to jump into the 77R and have some awesome runs this past season. Frank set fast time at the dirt nationals in October at Big Diamond Raceway. Tom was able to climb back into the 27R by October and also ran fantastic at the nationals. TJ had a great rookie season and is ready for more next season.

Special Thanks to the following people who help make RMR Motorsports what it is.

Eric Landis

Jerry Eshelman

Corinna Mayberry

George “Sparky” Gettys

Jolene Weikel

Jon Geiger

Glenna Henry

Joe Kaminski Jr

Don Stevens

Dave Glick

After ten years of Legends Car racing we have decided it is time to step back and take a break. Throughout these years we have been fortunate to make many good friends and racing memories that will remain with us forever. We would like thank all the drivers that sat in our cars and the people who helped crew the cars. RMR would not have enjoyed the success it has without all of you. We would also like to take this time to thank the promoters that provided us the wonderful opportunities to race.