Council hears concerns about ‘burn-outs’ from car club, police, public

The C.L.A.S.S. Car Cruise and Show is a popular event, but club members and law enforcement, along with a host of others want to try to make the event even safer for continued success.

Kirk Kraft, a member of the C.L.A.S.S. Car Club, spoke to the City Council Monday night.  Kraft told the Council that the car cruise, which draws more than 850 vehicles, received some “unwanted attention” when a driver lost control of his vehicle while performing a “burnout.”

The squealing of tires, known as a “burn-out,” has been a concern of the C.L.A.S.S. Car Club and law enforcement since the event’s inception several years ago.  As vehicles are checked into the car cruise drivers are handed information about the cruise - including a warning not to do burn-outs and a liability release form which signifies the driver’s agreement to “refrain from excessive acceleration…. and from tossing any objects, i.e. candy, flyers, etc., while enroute.”

“We are very fortunate no one was injured.  Burnouts are dangerous and we don’t approve of them,” said Kraft.  “We are sorry this happened.”

According to a report filed by the Clear Lake Police Department, Aeric Younge, 46, of Hayfield, Minn., lost control of the 2008 Chevrolet Corvette he was driving in the 4600 block of North Shore Drive.  He was cited for careless driving after “operating a vehicle in a reckless, erratic, careless, negligent manner.”  Police report Younge operated his vehicle in a manner to cause unnecessary tire squealing for a distance of 346-feet.  His vehicle struck a parked vehicle, which in turn moved backwards and struck another vehicle.  Younge reportedly then accelerated forward and struck another car parked in a private drive.  Damage to Younge’s vehicle was estimated at $15,000.  Damage to the first vehicle hit was estimated at $10,000; the other two vehicles had minor damage.

It remains unclear if the vehicle was a registered participant in the Cruise, or whether the driver joined the event in progress.

Kraft said club members have invited Police Chief Pete Roth to come to their September meeting to discuss possible ways the club can improve on the cruise and encourage safe participation.

Roth said he supports the car club’s event and promised his department will work with organizers.

“It’s a good event, from our perspective,” said Roth.  “I heard a lot of

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positive comments.”

Bennett Smith also spoke to the Council, offering a citizen’s perspective about the car cruise.

“It’s a terrific event, but I want to express my concern that these burnouts could lead to tragedy,” said Smith.  “I don’t know the solution— maybe designate areas for burnouts?  We need to put our heads together.  Let’s be proactive rather than reactive.”

Kraft noted a greater appeal to the public may need to be made to discourage watering streets and cheering for burnouts to occur.  “These guys are showing off their cars and there are signs and cheering egging them on.  Sometimes the temptation is more than they can handle.”

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