Following my second visit to the Lebanon Valley Expo Center in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, for the forthcoming York event on January 12-13, 2019, I have the following observations that I feel are extremely important to share.
The event is the 18th Annual York Reunion which is first and foremost of importance. With my over sixty years of involvement in motorsports with every sanctioning body from NHRA, NASCAR. CART. USAC, SCCA, IMSA, NMRA, etc., I have seen many things come and go thru the years. Good things that many wished they had back, but once gone they were gone forever.
Being involved in the York Reunion for seventeen consecutive years and passing the baton to new leaders of the drag racing history movement with the York event for 2019, we have already experienced the doubting Thomases. Why January? Why Lebanon? Why did Darwin sell the show?
Darwin is 85 and wants to see the show continue into the future. We found the most capable promoters to move the show to new heights for the future. A new approach in January when the drag racing activity level will be low in comparison to racing season in July! And Lebanon because the York area facilities became too cost prohibitive. Clear minds need to prevail in order for our performance heritage to continue to thrive. Negativism will only hasten the demise of our valued history. There is nothing in stone that says dates and location cannot change in the future following the evidence of support and attitude adjustment in the cost arena.
The National Nostalgia Drag Racing Association has my undivided attention now and into the future to assist the growth of the nostalgia fraternity. We will not waver. The Facebook page is updated daily and the web page as needed.
Our future looks bright with the capable Motorama group carrying our torch into the future. The 2019 York US30 Heritage Days is going to offer a vast contribution to our history going forward.
We need you positive thinkers to support us as the plans are tremendous for the future and we want you to be a part of it. The added areas that this show encompasses will be a plus to building more interest. The facilities are just tremendous including junior dragsters, some current drag racing and displays, and games for the future drag racers, We are not staying stagnant, but are providing new ideas for the future drag racing enthusiast. Those who miss this show will be the losers and it would be sad to see that happen to anyone truly interested in our sport.
It is all up to you. After all, it is the 18th Annual York Reunion — we can’t lose sight of that. Your support is a vital component of keeping our heritage alive and well, and we will be counting on you to be a winner!
I plan to be right there with you!
Darwin Doll
