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Arnie
Beswick Recovering After Weekend Accident
August 6, 2003 - Drag racing legend Arnie "The
Farmer" Beswick is listed in critical but
stable condition at St. John's Mercy Hospital
in St. Louis, Mo. Beswick, 73, of Morrison,
Ill., suffered serious burns following an exhibition
pass at Mid-America Dragway in Wentzville, Mo.,
on Sunday, August 3.
An explosion, and subsequent fire in Beswick's
car while he was stopped after making a run,
resulted in burns to his hands, ankles and face,
but vital signs are normal and X-rays of his
lungs showed minimal to no damage.
Beswick has dedicated most of his life to racing
Pontiacs, and after more than 45 years of competition,
has earned a permanent place in Pontiac's motorsports
history. Beswick first began his drag-racing
career behind the wheel of a new Pontiac Chieftain
in 1958.
A popular figure among four generations of motorsports
fans, the Hall of Fame drag racer has maintained
a hectic schedule in recent years racing Pontiac
Super Stockers, Funny Cars and nostalgia door
slammers. Beswick is a member of the NHRA Division
3 Hall of Fame as well as the Super Stock, A/FX
and Funny Car Hall of Fame.
Cards may be sent to Arnie Beswick at St. John's
Mercy Medical Center, 615 South New Ballas Road,
St. Louis, MO 63141. Regular updates on Beswick's
recovery will be posted on www.arniebeswick.com.
This
weekend nearly 10,000 Pontiac enthusiasts will
be in Norwalk, Ohio for the 12th annual Ames
Performance Pontiac Nationals on August 8 -
10. Beswick well-wishers can stop by the Pontiac
Motorsports display trailer on the Norwalk Raceway
manufacturer's midway for a chance to enter
a raffle for an autographed racing helmet signed
by many drivers. Each raffle ticket is $5.00,
with all proceeds going to the Beswick family
to help offset medical expenses.
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