Judges' choice: The off-road race buggy built by Tim McCreary's auto shop classes at Vista High School took a best of class and best of show in the Student Showcase Division. It ran in the Baja 1000.

Background: The project was a way to grab the attention of the 130 students who took the class and to get them excited about something that was actually going out into the world.

How he got started: McCreary, who lives in Ramona, was substituting in science classes, but always wanted to be an auto shop teacher. He was thrilled when a spot opened up.

Comment: “I told them this was going to be in the middle of the Mexican desert and it had to be done right. It couldn't fail. They did a super job.”

Tip for learning more: Go to mccrearyracing.com, volunteer for a racing team or take classes.

TODAY'S PICKS

Summer Concert Series: Intocable with Los Horóscopes de Durango, 7:30 p.m., free with fair admission.

Summer of Sports Exhibit: Hispanic Sports Day, including an appearance by sports broadcaster Matias Santos Martinez, at 5 p.m.

Highlights: Fido-500 mini-dog races, 1, 3 and 5 p.m., Sparkletts Water Infield; Best Animal Noise Contest, 11 a.m., O'Brien Stage; Bayadera, 9 p.m., Coors Light Rock On Stage.

FAIR FACTS

Through July 6 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd. Gates are open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Admission: Adults, $12; seniors 62 and older, $6; children 6 to 12, $6; children 5 and younger, free.

Information: (858) 793-5555; (858) 755-1161; www.sdfair.com/fair.

On-site parking: Cars and motorcycles, $9; recreational vehicles, $15; preferred parking, $15, no motor homes.

Off-site parking: Free, with shuttles from 9 a.m. to midnight. Del Mar Horsepark, 14550 El Camino Real, daily; MiraCosta College San Elijo campus and Torrey Pines High School, weekends and July 4.

Public transportation: Hourly buses to and from Escondido Transit Center. A shuttle between the Solana Beach Train Station and the fair leaves every 25 minutes. Passengers with a Breeze bus or Coaster train ticket receive a $1.75 fair admission discount at the west gate. Information: (760) 966-6500 or www.gonctd.com

NEWSROOM
AT THE FAIR

The San Diego Union-Tribune's Newsroom at the Fair exhibit is in the Paddock Lounge next to Plaza de Mexico near the Grandstand entrance.

Meet opinion columnist Ruben Navarrette from 1 to 3 p.m.

Explore the technology that brings you the daily newspaper, Today's Local News, Enlace, multimedia site SignOnSanDiego.com and AmplifySD.com, the all-San Diego music online radio station.

Tune to “U-T in the Community” and “Community Spotlight” on SignOn Radio LIVE, hosted by Drew Schlosberg on Tuesdays and Fridays, except July 4.

Online: For fair news and information, go to fair.uniontrib.com