Demolition Derby

After winning the Jessamine County Fair demolition derby small car division and receiving his trophy Wednesday night, David L. Warner Jr., 36, received something else - a set of handcuffs as Nicholasville police arrested him and charged him with DUI. “He won the demolition derby in the small car division,” NPD Capt. Chris Cain said. “We had some complaints from officials and the crowd that he was drunk.” When police began to investigate, Cain said Warner, whose listed address is 1620 Phillips Lane,  took a preliminary breath test but allegedly refused other field tests.

CAMP DICK — A tale of two cars unfolded Tuesday night at the Garrard County Fair demolition derby. On one side of the grass parking area outside the motor track sat Cliff-Ed Irvin, a Lancaster native with nearly 20 years of experience wrecking cars in the ring. Everyone in a souped-up, stripped-down vehicle seemed to know his name, a phenomenon he attributed to the length of time he’s been racing, which is precisely “too long.” But the friends around him and the business sponsors on his all-black Lincoln Town Car begged to differ.

The Clark County Fair may be over, but that doesn't mean you have to wait another year for a demolition derby. The fairgrounds will be the site of another car-smashing extravaganza Saturday night. "We haven't had one of these in probably five years," said fair president Henry Mattingly. "We're trying to get the facility to be used more and more. " He's expecting more than 60 cars to register for the derby, which will begin at 7 p.m. and last until the last round is won. There should be about eight "heats," or rounds with about that many cars facing off in the pit. The top contestants from each heat will move to the feature round, which pits the best against each other as the finale to the derby.

Chris Jones laughed nervously when someone asked him how old he was, and for a moment, he couldn't remember. You'd be nervous too if you knew that within an hour you were about to crash your car on purpose. Several times. Jones, 35, of Winchester, was sitting in his '85 Chevy Impala, talking with friends, fidgeting, trying on his helmet and making sure his seat belt worked while his buddy Brad Perkins put his muscle into tightening down two huge bolts on the front of the car. The Chevy was freshly painted, but it was about to get some scratches and dents - big ones - in that new coat.

Halloween isn't until October, but Wednesday night at the Boyle County Fair was all about things that go bump in the night - mixed with a whole lot of screeching, screaming and a few scary moments. Demolition derbies bring on that kind of stuff. The bleachers facing the track filled by 7:30 p.m., and by the time the crashfest started at just after 8 p.m., a lack of seats pushed patrons up against fences on both sides of the track. America's more than 50-year fascination with car carnage came to the forefront at the fair, and few left their seats until the final event ended after 11 p.m. Depending on who you believe, the demolition derby roots run back a long way. Bill Lowenburg, an enthusiast of the sport, writes on PBS.org that several get credit for organizing the "first" derby, including stock car driver Larry Mendelsohn in Long Island, N.Y., in the late 1950s; West Coast racing promoter Don Basile in 1946; and a used car dealer named "Crazy Jim" Groh in Franklin, Wis..

HARRODSBURG - A graveyard of brutalized machinery sprawled before the motorsports track of the Mercer County Fair Friday night. Although the mangled cars, which littered the dirt field, appeared to be on their last legs of life, the cranking and pounding of on-going tune-ups signaled that these Frankenstein jalopies still had some kick left in them. When the twisted shells roared to life and began to make their way toward the concrete-block-enclosed pen that would be their battleground, it became clear that the demolition derby is a sport fueled by a peculiar fascination with destruction.

The county fair continued Friday with a swine show, karaoke contest and a small car demolition derby. It ends tonight with the Demolition Derby at 8 p.m.

Roger Brown of Lexington, right, smashes into Matthew Hunter of Winchester in the second heat of the Clark County Fair Demolition Derby Saturday night. Jamilia Conner, 4, of Winchester got a good view of the Demolition Derby from the shoulders of her father, James Conner, while her big brother, Jordan, 10, watched too. Standing behind them in the orange shirt is Steve Charles, also of Winchester.

FRIDAY, JULY 25 7 p.m. - Horse Show begins 8 p.m. - Demolition Derby SATURDAY, JULY 26 9 a.m. - Horse Show (Academy Classes) 7 p.m. - Horse Show begins 7:30 p.m. - Clementsville Mud Race

CAMP DICK - The Garrard County Fair continues through Saturday at the fairgrounds on U.S. 27 eight miles north of Lancaster. Tonight's schedule includes hogs and dogs at 6; Tiny Miss and Mister and Little Miss and Mister pageants at 7; and demolition derby at 8. Admission is $8.

The horse show has long been the signature event of the Mercer County Fair and Horse Show - after all, it's right there in the name - but this might be the first time the horses will have the stage to themselves. No carnival lights, no truck pull, no demolition derby. Nothing at all, in fact, for the entire five-night run of the horse show. Mercer fair officials have separated the horse show from the rest of the fair, creating what is essentially a two-week, two-part fair. So while most of the fair activities will be held this week, one week earlier than usual, the horse show will remain in its traditional spot on the calendar, beginning July 24. “This is definitely something different for us,” horse show manager and fair board member Brad Noel said.

Demolition-derby driver found not guilty of DUI The demolition-derby driver arrested last July on DUI charges was found not guilty by a Jessamine County jury Jan. 13. David L. Warner Jr. had been charged with DUI following a July 13 demolition-derby small-car-divison event during the 2011 Jessamine County Fair. Broke-down truck causes U.S. 27 wreck A broken-down Penske truck in the right northbound lane of U.S. 27 near Ashgrove Pike caused an accident involving three vehicles Tuesday around 12:40 p.m. According to Nicholasville police, a pickup truck had pulled in behind the Penske truck to render assistance when a van traveling in the right lane did not realize the trucks were stopped.

After a weekend full of activities, including the Miss Clark County Fair pageant, a parade and the open beef show, the Clark County Fair continues this week with carnival rides, a rodeo and a demolition derby. Today's events begin at 7 p.m. with the ATV drag. The Miss Teen Clark County pageant begins at 8 p.m. Hay entries will be accepted from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and 4-H and home economics entries will be accepted from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be no carnival rides today, and admission is $6. Children 3 and under are admitted for free.

Monday 7 p.m.: Bumper to Bumper Truck Tug on the Pulling Track Tuesday 7 p.m.: Dirt Drags at the Motorsports Track 7:30 p.m.: Horse show Wednesday 7 p.m.: Horse show 7:30 p.m.: Mini Car Figure 8 Races Thursday 7 p.m.: Horse show; demolition derby on the Motorsport Track Friday 7 p.m.: Horse show; diesel truck and tractor pull on the Motorsports Track Saturday 7 p.m.: Horse show; Clementsville...

After winning the Jessamine County Fair demolition derby small car division and receiving his trophy Wednesday night, David L. Warner Jr., 36, received something else - a set of handcuffs as Nicholasville police arrested him and charged him with DUI. “He won the demolition derby in the small car division,” NPD Capt. Chris Cain said. “We had some complaints from officials and the crowd that he was drunk.” When police began to investigate, Cain said Warner, whose listed address is 1620 Phillips Lane,  took a preliminary breath test but allegedly refused other field tests.

CAMP DICK — A tale of two cars unfolded Tuesday night at the Garrard County Fair demolition derby. On one side of the grass parking area outside the motor track sat Cliff-Ed Irvin, a Lancaster native with nearly 20 years of experience wrecking cars in the ring. Everyone in a souped-up, stripped-down vehicle seemed to know his name, a phenomenon he attributed to the length of time he’s been racing, which is precisely “too long.” But the friends around him and the business sponsors on his all-black Lincoln Town Car begged to differ.

Chris Kersey of Winchester, in car 801, won the 2009 Demolition Derby at the Clark County Fair Saturday night. The 33-year-old painter, who has been participating in similar competitions for 13 years, since his uncle, Cecil Stone, got him interested in the sport, has won more than 36 trophies in his career. "It's a rush that you can't explain," he said, when asked what he likes about the sport. But he admitted it's dangerous. "My biggest fear is catching fire," he said. The car Kersey drove Saturday night was a 1989 Lincoln with a 383 stroker engine rebuilt at Dave's Machine Shop.

Every year, local residents look forward to a highlight of the summer, the Clark County Fair. From the tractor pull and the livestock shows to the Miss Clark County Fair pageant, there is much to see and do. The 2009 fair kicked off Aug. 1 and has been going strong all week. County Extension Agent Frank Hicks said this year's fair has all the traditional rides, games and exhibits that keep fair-goers coming back year after year. "It's something for everybody in the family to do, and it's close to home.

The annual Jessamine County Fair officially kicked off last Saturday with the Open Jessamine County Horse Show AAA. The fair kicks into high gear beginning Monday when the Kissel Entertainment rides begin at 6 p.m. Fair board president Jay Bruner Jr., said this year's event has a few added wrinkles he feels will be popular. "We're having a pull-off (Tuesday at 7 p.m.) between the two mayors on a pedal tractor," he said. "It's going to be some fun and excitement and some friendly competition in the community.