Demo Derby Days

Yup, I'm still around...just couldn't think of anything to say!

So while trying to find a picture for a post, (the weather is dull, the knitting nonexistent and the cats aren't particularly interesting right now either) I found 1st DS's first demolition derby car. I thought it might make an interesting post and that it is summer with all the lush green grass probably doesn't hurt either!

These pictures are after the derby. It didn't look great going in but not this bad!

Right after college 1st DS got a job in a town in NE North Dakota and met new people and made good friends. One of those friends was into demo derbies. And so they concocted the idea to get a car ready for a derby.

It takes quite a lot of time, planning and effort. Certain cars are more desired than others and there are some that are not allowed because they are so durable and heavy duty.

The gas tank was removed and the plumbing redone so there was just a small gas can inside the car. Some people screwed the tires to the wheels so they couldn't go flat. The trunk was screwed to the body. All the doors were welded shut. All glass was removed. And there were probably some super secret things that each contestant did that they thought was the best way to reinforce their cars.

The fun part was deciding what paint job to give it. One of the harder things was getting sponsors to give you money so you could afford to do a derby car at all.

The derbys were held in an open field that had high dirt barriers pushed up around the area where the cars bashed into each other.

There was usually some seating provided but mostly people arrived in their pickups, backed up to the ring and sat in lawn chairs in the back end of the pickup. There was also usually an organization selling food as a fund raiser but lots of people brought their own.

The cars were inspected before anything started to make sure they had done everything they were supposed to and to have not done anything against the rules.

They were required to wear a helmet, a long sleeved shirt and have a fire extinguisher inside the car during the derby. There were several heats and if you could survive your first you could work on your car until it was your turn again. And so they always took a pickup loaded with tools, air compressor and a generator for power. It helps to be a farm boy with access to dad's shop!

But one of the most important things to bring is this:

Yea, it was a bit nerve wracking but all 3 of our boys are excellent drivers and have enough common sense to get them by and so I relaxed and enjoyed the shows. Yes. This was the 1st of...if I remember correctly...3 derby cars!