Clinton News-Record, 1987-05-27, Page 43page It
Demolition derby is a big draw
If past years are any indication, the 1987
version of the demolition derby should be a
smashing success.
For last year's spectacle, there were
over 3,000 spectators present, and the
organizers of the event hope this seventh
annual showing will have an equally large
draw.
According to one of the organizers, Ron
McKay, the derby is the best draw for the
fair. The crowds spill over from the grand-
stand at Clinton Community Park, into
bleachers set up for the event and carry
over to standing room only.
For the derby, a type of pen is set up on
the racetrack in front of the grandstand,
running the length of the grandstand and
about the width of the track. The bull pen
consists of hydro poles staked in place.
Approximately 40 entries are expected
this year for the derby. Of these there are
local drivers from areas like Clinton,
Wingham and Stratford, but a number of
drivers also make the trip from the Wind-
sor area and from the United States. Mr.
McKay pointed out that there were three
entries' from Michigan alone last year.
While many of the drivers undoubtedly
join the fracas for the pure fun of it, about
$800 in prizes will be awarded at the derby.
Trophies will also be given to the winners.
The final winners are chosen after the
running of the preliminary heats. About
eight cars run in each heat, and from these
heats, two winners are chosen to go on to
the final. The final car running is the even-
tual winner.
Cars can also be bumped out, however, if
they are pinned for too long in a corner by
another driver.
Mr. McKay explained some of the rules
and regulations involved in demolition
driving. He noted that it is illegal to hit the
driver's door broadside, and that gas tanks
are limited. Each driver gets a set amount
of gas, so there is a chance they might run
out of gas.
Cars can be restarted if they stall, but
only if they will restart on their own. Rein-
forcement of the vehicles is also limited,
and all of the glass is removed from the
cars.
"The cars are actually inspected before
they are allowed into the bullpen to ensure
they don't have steel sticking out and
things like the battery or the gas can are in
the right place," Mr. McKay said.
Incidentally, the proper place for the gas
tank, or actually the gas cain in a demoli-
tion car is in the back seat, not the place
you'd find a regular gas tank.
Mr. McKay pointed out one important
tip for the car drivers, and that is to pro-
tect their front ends, where the rad hap-
pens to be. To this end, the drivers do all of
their ramming with the rear ends of their
cars.
A few safety precautions are also strict-
ly adhered to for the races. Drivers must
wear helmets and they must be strapped
in. Another precaution taken is having the
fire department on hand, because they
have had the occasional fire.
The show is expected to last approx-
imately one and a half to two hours, and it
will begin at 7:30 p.m. on the opening night
of the fair, June 5.
Baby show is crowd pleaser
One of the toughest jobs at the fair has to
be judging the Baby Show. They're all so
cute, how do you decide?
Once again, proud parents are invited to
enter their little darlings in the Baby
Show, to be held on June 6 in the arena.
Those entering must make sure mom and
dad have them registered at 2:30 p.m.
As always, there will be four classes -
under lour months, five to eight months,
rine to 12 months and twins.
The first place winners in each category
will receive a silver spoon donated by the
Summerhill Ladies Club and an $8 gift cer-
tificate for their first hair cut at Reflec-
tions By Design.
The top baby in the show will receive a
silver cup from the Huron County
Agriculutral Society. The runner-up in the
show will get a $10 gift certificate from
Aiken Bros. to give to his or her father.
If you have a child that fits into the
above age categories, be sure to enter him
or her in the contest. And if you don't have
a child that fits into the categories, come
out and watch.
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Homemade treats
If horses, rides, poultry and cattle aren't
exactly your cup of tea, be sure to visit the
auditorium in the arena for the homemak-
ing division.
Once again, the auditorium is expected
to be filled with arts and crafts, sewing,
photographs, crocheting and knitting,
needlework, quilts, baking, floral exhibits
and woodworking.
In the arts and crafts division, items
range from a pyjama bag for a child's
room to ceramics in stains to a handmade
doll to a pair of refrigerator decorations.
Also included are silk flower ar-
rangements, Christmas stockings and li-
quid paintings.
The photography section has an amateur
and a junior amateur photo contest.
In the amateur contest, one 8 X 10 por-
trait, a collection of four pictures of a local
scenes, four pictures of a pet or animal,
four pictures of your favorite sport and one
picture dipicting family life, any size, are
required.
In the junior amateur contest, photos, of
any size, must be - one of an animal, one of
a sport and one of any local scene.
In the sewing class, infants sleepers,
smocked dresses, bathing suits, jogging
suits and aprons are a few of the several
items that will be judged and displayed.
There is also a category for junior
sewers. Their entries will be along the
same lines but will be judged separately.
The crocheting and knitting division will
carry a large range of items. There will be
baby bonnets and sweaters, slippers.
and work socks, afgahans and baby car-
riage covers to name but a few of the
pieces submitted for judging.
Needlework is always pleasing to the
eye, and at the fair there will be p1 to
see.
Articles in this division will range from
pillowcases to tablecoths to crib quilts.
And of course, the quilt competition will
cause everyone to stop and have a look.
If you skipped breakfast or lunch, the
baking, or domestic science, class will
have the old stomach begging to be fed.
Bread, muffins, tea biscuits, tarts, pies
and squares will bion display. There is
also a junior baking division in this year's
fair.
Those with a green thumb, or those
without a green thumb, will take delight in
looking at the floral exhibits. On display
will be African violets, spider plants, baby
tears and geraniums. The junior wood-
working division has been broken down by
grades. Those in Grades 9 and 10 will be
judged on one of three creations: bir-
dhouse or feeder made from wood; a lathe
article made from wood; any other project
made from metal or wood.
Those in Grades 11, 12 and 13 also have
three choices: a lathe article made from
wood, a table made from wood and any
other project made from metal or wood.
To see who's the best baker, knitter,
photographer and so on, come on up to the
auditorium and take a look.
We'll Be There...
We invite you to drop by our
booth and see what we have
to offer you. Steve and Bob
IT IS WITH GREAT PRIDE THAT
I REPRESENT THE PEOPLE OF
HURON-MIDDI.F.SEX IN THE
ONTARIO LEGISLATURE
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE
HURON CENTRAL AGRICULTURAL
SOCIETY AND CONTINUED SUCCESS TO
THE 133RD ANNUAL CLINTON
SPRING FAIR
Jack Riddell
M.P.P. HURON -MIDDLESEX
MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD