The first invitational 4-H Automotive Care and Safety Contest was held at Timonium, Maryland on August 25-26, 1969 in conjunction with the Maryland State Fair. The competition included a written exam and a practical test of trouble shooting to measure the ability of the contestant to detect unsafe and hazardous mechanical conditions of the automobile, to test familiarity under the hood and identify unsafe items needing attention. Personal interviews and a start-to-finish exercise to test the manipulative skill in handling a motor vehicle also were part of the competition.

The teams were made up of a young man and a young woman enrolled in a 4-H Automotive project who hold valid driver's licenses with a preventable accident-free record for the past 12 months.

Contestants were guests at a banquet and were given an educational tour of the Baltimore automotive industry. The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company supported the program with travel grants to participants. The limited participation event was won by Susan Shanks and Tommy Crow of Maryland. (from Fall 1969 National 4-H Service Committee COMMENTS)

The Summer 1970 National 4-H Service Committee COMMENTS reports that two young people from New York State took top individual honors at the 2nd annual 4-H Automotive Regional Invitational Contest held September 5-6 at the Maryland State Fair in Timonium, Maryland. They were Deborah J. Nailos and James M. Stang of Erie County. Their combined scores earned high team honors too. The Maryland team of Kathy Durbin and Michael Maring placed second. Other high ranking tams were Illinois, third; Virginia, fourth; and Pennsylvania, fifth.

Participating were 4-H'ers from 13 states: Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Virginia.

The competition included a written exam and a practical test of troubleshooting to measure the ability of the contestants to detect unsafe and hazardous mechanical conditions of the automobile. The tests also checked participants' familiarity with the engine and related parts. Personal interviews and a start-to-finish drivers exercise to test their manipulative skill in handling a motor vehicle also were part of the competition. The contest was sponsored by The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company, national 4-H Automotive program donor, the Maryland State Fair and Agricultural Society, the Cooperative Extension Service and the National 4-H Service Committee.

The third Invitational 4-H Automotive Care and Safety Contest was held at the Southeastern Fairgrounds in Atlanta, Georgia on September 13-15, 1971. There were 28 states invited to be represented by a team of one boy and one girl. To be eligible, participants must have been enrolled in the 4-H Automobile program, have a valid driver's license and be accident-free (preventable) for 12 months or for the time licensed, including time with a learner's permit. Ford Motor Company provided automobiles used by contestants. Travel grants were made by The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company, national Automotive program donor, which also hosted the recognition luncheon and provided trophies. Contestants arrived in atlanta Monday afternoon for registration, an orientation banquet and a get-acquainted party. Tuesday morning the 4-H'ers took a written exam on highway regulations, maintenance and efficient car operation. They also were scored for their trouble shooting abilities in detecting unsafe and hazardous mechanical conditions and safety features of the automobile. In the afternoon they went on an educational tour of Stone Mountain. The driving contest, over a tight obstacle course designed to simulate typical daily driving hazards, was held Wednesday morning. Throughout the event they were also scored on safety. Two New Yorkers, Judith Drew of Niagara County and Wayne Warner of Suffolk County, outpaced contestants from 13 other states. A recognition luncheon concluded the event.

In 1972 there were three regional events which made up the Invitational 4-H Automotive Driving Contest sponsored by The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company and conducted by the Cooperative Extension Service. The first was held September 13-15 at Oklahoma State University's Southwest Center for Safety Education and Research at Stillwater. On September 18-20, the second was held at the Rock Eagle 4-H Center, Eatonton, Georgia, and the New York State Fairgrounds, Syracuse, New York, set the scene for the third regional event held October 1-3.

At all three, contestants participated in an orientation banquet and a get-acquainted party. 4-H'ers took written and practical tests on automobile operation, highway rules and driving attitudes. They were also judged on their ability to identify key auto parts and how to diagnose and correct problems in an automobile. Educational tours of the respective areas also were a part of the program. During the driving skill event, contestants drove over a tight obstacle course designed to simulate typical daily driving hazards. Throughout the invitationals 4-H'ers also were scored on safety. Travel grants were made by The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company, 4-H automotive program donor, which also provided trophies at the concluding recognition luncheon at each location.

Topping 1972, the fifth Invitational 4-H Automotive Driving Event actually was hosted at four different locations with nearly 35 states participating - more than ever before. Sponsored by The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company and conducted by the Cooperative Extension Service, the regional events were held at Newark Delaware (September 6-8); Stillwater, Oklahoma (September 12-14); Charlotte, North Carolina (September 17-19), and Decatur, Illinois (September 24-26).

At all four, 4-H members took written and practical tests on automobile operation, highway rules and driving attitudes. They were judged on their ability to identify key auto parts and how to diagnose and correct automotive problems. Educational tours of points of interest in the respective areas were also part of the program. Each of the three-day educational regional events concluded with the announcement of the winners at a regional luncheon hosted by Firestone. Travel grants and trophies were also provided by the national donor.

Some time between 1973 and 1976 it is believed that this event was no longer offered as a separate event, but became a part of the two National 4-H Engineering Events, offering an automotive contest and with The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company as an additional sponsor.