Editor:

To clear up a few things (about the Demolition Derby at the Stanislaus County Fair):

1. The Turlock Lions Club is contracted with the Stanislaus County Fair to begin the Derby at 6:30 p.m. and complete it by 8:30 p.m., making it almost impossible for a four-hour car event plus a motor home derby.

2. Two tow trucks did not show up, therefore it took longer than usual to remove the wrecked cars.

3. Many participants do not pre-enter as requested, and we cannot decide the number of heats until right before start time.

4. All drivers were told immediately after the second heat that there would not be an elimination heat due to time restrictions.

5. I personally told each driver many times that they had until 8 p.m. (25 minutes) to get their cars into the arena. We kept the gates open until 8:10 p.m. (35 minutes).

6. The two drivers mentioned (in the Journal's July 15 story about the Derby) were told numerous times to get in the arena. They run as a team, and waited until all three of their cars were ready to go.

We are one of the most successful derbies in the state and one of the few to put on "back-to-back" derbies on consecutive days. It is very challenging due to logistics, people and personalities.

In the past 50 years, the Turlock Lions Club has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for our community. We take great pride in presenting the most anticipated event at the fair.

— Buster Lucas, Turlock Lions Club Derby Chairman