York's Muscle Car Madness organizer Darwin Doll likes to brag he gets the largest collection of drag racing legends in the country to attend his annual July event.

He might be right.

Headlining this weekend's event at York Expo Center is Arnie "The Farmer" Beswick. Not surprisingly, Beswick is a farmer by day who drag races competitively on the weekends and has since the 1950s.

At 80 years old, Beswick still gets behind the wheel.

"He's just a laid-back individual," Doll said. "When he's not drag racing, he's farming and I think that appeals to the people. He's just an ordinary Joe that goes drag racing."

Also appearing is Carol "Bunny" Burkett, the first and only female driver to win an National Hot Rod Association National Event in Alcohol Funny Car competition. Alcohol competitions refer to cars with alcohol (methanol)-burning or injected nitromethane-burning engines.

"Ohio George" Montgomery will also be there. One of the earliest drag-racing stars, Montgomery first hit the track in the late 1940s. He contributed several racing innovations during his 40-year career, such as the "concrete spare tire" for optimal rear weight distribution.

Many other legends of the sport will also join them. These include Phil Hill, Arlen Vanke, "Miss Mighty Mopar" Judy Lilly, "Miss Hurst Golden Shifter" Linda Vaughn, Bud Faubel, Bob Harrop, George Nye, Tom Sneden, Bruce Larson, Joe Jacono and Wally Bell.

The show/reunion will feature a tribute to Pontiac, with a special display of a "Smokey and the Bandit" Trans-Am and the Buford T. Justice police car.

It's the 11th year of an event honoring the York US30 dragway and it has become very popular, Doll said. About 5,000 people attend annually, he said.

"That raceway held some of the biggest events in the nation in its day," Doll said. "There's a tremendous amount of people that went to York and enjoyed it a lot. They come back and rub elbows and have a wonderful weekend."

The York County SPCA is the event's charity of choice, and the Eastern Museum of Motor Racing will be the recipient of some added support from the show/reunion.

A special tour of the Harley-Davidson plant is scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday, with sign-up located in the lobby. There will also be a regular shuttle schedule to the Eastern Museum of Motor Racing museum in York Springs each day.

Admission is $15. Children 12 and under are admitted free. Active members of the military get in for free with proper identification. The event has free parking.

- JOHN HILTON,
FlipSide Staff

Remember when...

Brian Morgan of York shared his memories of hanging out at the York U.S. 30 Dragway in a Remember series article from July 2011. Morgan grew up around the drag strip in the 1970s.

Remember series is a monthly feature that challenges readers to remember poignant moments in personal, local and national history.

Read Morgan's story, along with other memories of the York U.S. 30 Dragway, here: www.ydr.com/remember/ci_18440362.

If you go

WHAT: 11th Annual Muscle Car Madness at the York Reunion

WHEN: 1 to 8 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to

8 p.m. Saturday

WHERE: York Expo Center, 334 Carlisle Ave., West Manchester Township

COST: $15

DETAILS: Visit www.yorknostalgia.com