Grass Drags attract hundreds to Harrowsmith as Billy Day awaits council vote

Sep 08, 2011

Photo: Billy Day at the Bill Day Memorial Grass Drags at his family farm in Harrowsmith

Close to 300 people gathered over the weekend at the Day farm in Harrowsmith for the Bill Day (Sr.) Memorial Grass Drags, which are put on by Bill's son, 24-year-old Billy Day. The event attracted racers and spectators from all over Ontario, Quebec, and New York and Michigan states and included races for riders of average, improved and custom stock sleds, as well as sport and utility ATVs.

Day described the event as “the longest running grass drag event in all of Ontario.” It has been taking place for 30 plus years on the property and Day said his dad began the event and was passionate about the sport. “I'm continuing on the tradition that he started. In the 1970s he raced Kawasaki Invaders and in the early years he used to announce as well.” Day is hoping to offer a regular motocross at the site and both engines and emotions at the two-day Grass Drag event were running high as Day and enthusiasts eagerly await the outcome of South Frontenac Council’s upcoming vote, which will determine if Day will be allowed to proceed with his plans to run motocross on the property adjacent to the grass drag site.

The proposed motocross event has caused some friction in the community, with some neighbours opposing it because of noise and dust. Billy Day hopes that council will grant him the votes he needs to put on the event, which is what he is most passionate about.

“Unfortunately a few neighbours are opposed, but it looks as though council will go ahead with the one-year trial so that they can have a chance to come out and see it for themselves,” he said.

Day also said that he has resolved the dust issue by purchasing a water truck that will dampen the track prior to and during the event. As far as the noise goes, Day said that is what has yet to be determined but that it should not be an issue. “The nearest neighbours are 1500 feet away and in fact the grass drags are louder than the motocross event by far.” Day has every intention of abiding by the Ontario noise standards at the event and there will be sound testing on site if and when it goes ahead. “The only real issue is the fact that motor vehicle racing now is not allowed in the township but I'm hoping that this area will made exempt from the by-law.” Day stressed that this is not a business for him and not a money maker, but more of a hobby that brings enthusiasts, their friends and families together. He said, “At the end of the day there is not a lot of money to be made. There is a lot of work involved for comparatively little return. This event is a good thing in that it gets kids off the streets, gets them together with their families and gives them a chance to race in a safe environment.”

Asked what he would say to the neighbours in opposition, he replied, “It's hard and a bit frustrating. Council has asked them if there is anything I can do to make the event more agreeable to them and there should be bit of leeway there, but they are unwilling to offer up any suggestions. That and the fact that racing has been going on here for 30 years. This is definitely not something new to the area.”

I asked Day what would happen if the vote does not go through and he said, “I'll definitely appeal the decision. I have put so much into this up to this point that I feel that I should not have to back down.”

Day was circulating a petition at the Grass Drags for enthusiasts to sign with the intention of presenting the signatures to council on Tuesday night. By Saturday afternoon a total of 200 local residents had already signed on their support.