May 3, 1953
Memphis, Tn.
Parking Stall Proves Biggest Bugaboo
At Fairgrounds Teen-Age Road-eo
By MENNO DUERKSEN, Press-Scimitar Staff Writer
A 20-foot parking stall was villain of the show at the Teen-age Road-eo at the Fairgrounds yes-terday.
More sweat, tears and frustration were spent on this pesky stall than any other obstacle as 38 teen-agers battled for honors as Memphis´ best teen-age driver.
Today and tomorrow the remain-ing 36 contestants will get behind the wheels of the new Fords, Chevrolets and Plymouths to take a crack at the obstacle course.
The big night is Friday, at the Fairgrounds Casino, when the 13 winners will be announced. Num-ber one winner not only gets a console television-radio set but will get a crack at the state title in Nashville.
And, of course, the Nashville winner goes to Washington to com-pete for the national title.
Everyone thought the two rows of balanced tennis balls would be the tough one, but several drivers came thru this test with flying colors only to come to grief on the parking stall.
Several young drivers simply gave up in despair when their three tries failed to get them into the box, within six inches of the curb and without knocking over any stanchions.
No official scores have been an-nounced, but Dud Curry, co-chair-man of the Jaycee Road-eo com-mittee, said one young driver had scored 360 out of a possible 400 for high of the day.
No contestant will be told his score until Friday night. One of the high scorers yesterday was a girl, said Curry. with three girls going thru the serpentine course in the first day of qualifying.
The tennis ball bogey was prob-ably number-two villain.
In this test, the young drivers were required to put the left wheels of their cars between the two rows of balls, balanced in rows 11½ inches apart, first forward and then in reverse.
With most young hopefuls, the balls were flying all over the place, but the boy who scored 360 knocked over only one ball in his tro trips thru the rows.
All Memphis teen-agers, whether they qualified for the contest or not, are welcome to the dance Friday night if they have a driver´s license.
Dick Covington, WHBQ disk jocket, will be master of cere-monies with the Swingsters making Music.
As soon as the first Road-eo is over the negro Road-eo, sponsored by the negro Jaycees, will begin, using the same equipment and same course as that now being used.
Honor to Road-eo
Champ Tonight
Big Announcement
At Teen-age Hop
Tonight is the big night for Mem-phis teen-agers who have competed in the Teen-age Road-eo. Mem-phis´ young champion will be an-nounced at the Teen-age Hop at Fairgrounds Casino.
James Curry, Road-eo co-chair-man for the Junior Chamber of Commerce, sponsor, said all Mem-phis teen-agers with driver licenses are invited.
Two girls, he said, were in the list of the 13 winners.
More than 400 Memphis teen-agers from city and county high
schools took part, more than 70 in actual driving competition com-pleted at the Fairgrounds Wednes-day.
The grand winner gets a console television-radio and goes to Nash-ville to compete in the state finals for a chance at the national finals in Washington.
On Sunday, 48 teen-agers from Memphis negro scools will take the same tests at Melrose Stadium for top honors in a Teen-age Road-eo, sponsored by Negro Jaycees.
Winner of the negro Roas-eo will be announced at the teen-age hop at Hippodrome Ballroom, 500 Beale, Monday night.
Winners in the first three places will receive plaques, said E. L. Henderson, negro Jaycee presi-dent.
All text found by Francesc Lopez