YORK AND THE EVOLUTION OF DRAG RACING
Wed, 2008-07-02 09:00
In the early days of drag racing on the East Coast one race track stood out from all the rest and that was York US 30 Dragway
operating on an active runway in Thomasville.
The airport was closed to daily flight activity when the races were scheduled and cars from far and wide came to the "diamond in the rough" in York. Occasional necessary flights would stop racing activity until the aircraft could leave the airport or arrive from distant areas.
The York US 30 Dragway contributed more to the evolution of early day drag racing than any other Eastern race track and became the track that everyone that was anyone in drag racing had to lay claim to competing at one time or another in their storied careers could say "I was at York". It is a fact that stands in drag racing history.
These memories are relived the second weekend of July every year at the York Expo Center, York Fairgrounds, Toyota Arena
with this year's presentation of the 7th Annual Musclecar Madness at the York Reunion. In the early days of drag racing on the East Coast one race track stood out from all the rest and that was York US 30 Dragway
operating on an active runway in Thomasville.
The airport was closed to daily flight activity when the races were scheduled and cars from far and wide came to the "diamond in the rough" in York. Occasional necessary flights would stop racing activity until the aircraft could leave the airport or arrive from distant areas.
The York US 30 Dragway contributed more to the evolution of early day drag racing than any other Eastern race track and became the track that everyone that was anyone in drag racing had to lay claim to competing at one time or another in their storied careers could say "I was at York". It is a fact that stands in drag racing history.
These memories are relived the second weekend of July every year at the York Expo Center, York Fairgrounds, Toyota Arena
with this year's presentation of the 7th Annual Musclecar Madness at the York Reunion.
Staff and management of the former track make their annual visit to "York" to revisit the many memorable feats that were presented on Saturday nights. The event has become the annual reunion for the Legends of Drag Racing who converge on the York Expo Center to visit with their many loyal fans and fellow racers who they competed against in a "lovefest" of memories of days gone by.
This year's event will feature Arnie "Farmer" Beswick, Bill "Grumpy" Jenkins, Arlen Vanke, Linda Vaughn "Miss Hurst Golden Shifter", Bud Faubel, Jere Stahl, Gene Altizer, Tom Sneden, Wally Bell, Sam Auxier, Jr.,"The Voice of Drag Racing" Jon Lunberg, Tommy Marras, Larry Reyes, Bob Harrop, and the list goes on.
The show runs from Friday, July 11th at 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday, July 12th from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m.
A special presentation "Remembering Elvis" will be presented on Friday evening at 7:30 p.m. following the annual Legion of Honor awards ceremony at 6.
The event will feature a "Tribute to Oldsmobile" all weekend with entries from throughout the United States appearing in respect to the marque and to the late Dale Smith the head of Oldsmobile Performance projects and the late Paul Mayo.
Cruise In activities on the outside begin on Friday 1 p.m. until 7 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. with special displays by the Ford Fairlane Club of America on Friday, and a Corvette show under the auspices of York County Corvette Cub on Saturday.
Admission includes both inside and outside shows. Tickets are $15.00 single day, $25.00 two days, children under 12 free and free parking.
The weekend's activities are capped by the presentation of the York Nostalgia Nationals at Beaver Springs Dragway on Sunday, July 13th with gates opening a 8 a.m. The event provides an opportunity to see many of the Legends participating in this popular race.
operating on an active runway in Thomasville.
The airport was closed to daily flight activity when the races were scheduled and cars from far and wide came to the "diamond in the rough" in York. Occasional necessary flights would stop racing activity until the aircraft could leave the airport or arrive from distant areas.
The York US 30 Dragway contributed more to the evolution of early day drag racing than any other Eastern race track and became the track that everyone that was anyone in drag racing had to lay claim to competing at one time or another in their storied careers could say "I was at York". It is a fact that stands in drag racing history.
These memories are relived the second weekend of July every year at the York Expo Center, York Fairgrounds, Toyota Arena
with this year's presentation of the 7th Annual Musclecar Madness at the York Reunion. In the early days of drag racing on the East Coast one race track stood out from all the rest and that was York US 30 Dragway
operating on an active runway in Thomasville.
The airport was closed to daily flight activity when the races were scheduled and cars from far and wide came to the "diamond in the rough" in York. Occasional necessary flights would stop racing activity until the aircraft could leave the airport or arrive from distant areas.
The York US 30 Dragway contributed more to the evolution of early day drag racing than any other Eastern race track and became the track that everyone that was anyone in drag racing had to lay claim to competing at one time or another in their storied careers could say "I was at York". It is a fact that stands in drag racing history.
These memories are relived the second weekend of July every year at the York Expo Center, York Fairgrounds, Toyota Arena
with this year's presentation of the 7th Annual Musclecar Madness at the York Reunion.
Staff and management of the former track make their annual visit to "York" to revisit the many memorable feats that were presented on Saturday nights. The event has become the annual reunion for the Legends of Drag Racing who converge on the York Expo Center to visit with their many loyal fans and fellow racers who they competed against in a "lovefest" of memories of days gone by.
This year's event will feature Arnie "Farmer" Beswick, Bill "Grumpy" Jenkins, Arlen Vanke, Linda Vaughn "Miss Hurst Golden Shifter", Bud Faubel, Jere Stahl, Gene Altizer, Tom Sneden, Wally Bell, Sam Auxier, Jr.,"The Voice of Drag Racing" Jon Lunberg, Tommy Marras, Larry Reyes, Bob Harrop, and the list goes on.
The show runs from Friday, July 11th at 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday, July 12th from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m.
A special presentation "Remembering Elvis" will be presented on Friday evening at 7:30 p.m. following the annual Legion of Honor awards ceremony at 6.
The event will feature a "Tribute to Oldsmobile" all weekend with entries from throughout the United States appearing in respect to the marque and to the late Dale Smith the head of Oldsmobile Performance projects and the late Paul Mayo.
Cruise In activities on the outside begin on Friday 1 p.m. until 7 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. with special displays by the Ford Fairlane Club of America on Friday, and a Corvette show under the auspices of York County Corvette Cub on Saturday.
Admission includes both inside and outside shows. Tickets are $15.00 single day, $25.00 two days, children under 12 free and free parking.
The weekend's activities are capped by the presentation of the York Nostalgia Nationals at Beaver Springs Dragway on Sunday, July 13th with gates opening a 8 a.m. The event provides an opportunity to see many of the Legends participating in this popular race.
Categories:
