Jaycees look into changes in derby

The Havre Jaycees asked the Hill County Fair Board Tuesday about making some changes in the demolition derby held each year at the Great Northern Fair, including the possibility of allowing competitors younger than 18.

Jaycee Emily Vaughn told the board the Havre service group would like to expand the entries to include youths, either in general competition or in a special heat.

She said many youths in the area are interested in joining the competition.

Fairgrounds manager Tim Solomon said the main issue is insurance — if the Jaycees can get a policy that allows the younger competitors, and covers any liability, that would be possible.

"That is our biggest concern, " he said, adding that any proposal would have to be reviewed by the Hill County attorney.

Vaughn said the group is researching that issue, and that they would get back to the board. Any change might wait until the 2012 fair, she said.

She said the Jaycees also wanted to explore the possibility of moving the day for the derby to Saturday instead of Sunday.

Historically, the derby had been held on Fridays during the fair, then was moved to Sunday, the last day of the Great Northern Fair.

Board member Andy Owens said the only problem with that move would be that the truck pull now is scheduled for Saturday, which is done in conjunction with another truck pull to give competitors two straight days of competition.

He suggested the Jaycees talk to Bill Mangold, who organizes the event, to see if a change in scheduling could be arranged.

Solomon said that if the switch were to happen this year, the Jaycees would have to make the arrangements quickly to allow the scheduling changes.

Vaughn also asked about bringing back a reserved seating section for the derby, and if there was a way to allow people in the beer garden to watch the derby.

Solomon said the reason the 300 reserved seats were taken away last year is that the tickets weren't selling — only about half of the reserved seating was sold in 2009.

He also said trying to set up a beer garden section could complicate ticket sales, which could hurt the event, normally a sellout every year.

"I think we'll be willing to listen to ideas, " he said. "I think (they're) ideas for (the Jaycees) to kick around and bring back to us. "