In 1955 Don Gamble went to the MonDuke Speedway in Export, Pennsylvania to watch Dick Linder, Herb Scott and Buddy O’Connor race in the popular coupe division of the Pittsburgh Racing Association. Sixty-Three years later, he is spreading the word about racing.
He built his first racecar in 1959 to race at Greater Pittsburgh Speedway. His spirit of competition was very intense and as a result, Don finished in the top ten every year of competition except during 1960-1964 when he was earning his Bachelor’s Degree at the California University of Pennsylvania in Industrial Arts. He completed his Master’s Degree in 1970 in Technical Education.
Over the years Don has worked at several of the local speedways in various jobs from flagman to promoter. Since the 1980’s Don has hosted popular talks shows such as Rappin’ on Racin, Trackside and Fast Track. Gamble uses his years of racing experience to entertain and inform motorsports fans. In addition to all his other activities Don wrote weekly motorsports columns in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, RPM Racing News and Hot Rod News. In 2003 Don worked as an on-air reporter for the Fox Sports Net television program, “We’re Going Racing.”
In addition, he was the producer and host of Rappin’ On Racin’ and Trackside radio programs on at AM Stations WEDO, WIXZ, WTAE and KDKA.
Other items in Don’s biography include the Steinbach Memorial Media Award, Pittsburgh Circle Track Club, Twin State and Lernerville Hall of Fame Member, Motordrome Speedway Promoter, Auto Racing 101 & Race Car College (Orlando Florida) Instructor, Fox Sports Network TV Reporter, Challenger Raceway, Lernerville Speedway, Mercer Raceway, North Hills Raceway, and Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway Announcer, Host Rappin’ on Racin, Trackside, and Fast Track, Member Eastern Motorsports Press Association (EMPA), American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association (AARWBA) Champions Committee for Heinz History Center Motorsports Museum, 1975 “Outstanding Secondary Educators of America” for the state of Pennsylvania.
