All photos by T. Hynd
Start your engines and put your pedal to the metal. That was the theme and strategy to crush the competition at the Lion’s Demolition Derby today. Crowds were cheering, and laughing at the revving engines, spinning tires and smoking engines as the derby cars and trucks got more and more smashed. As damaged as the vehicles were, many continued to run even with the hoods and trunks smashed and wheels bent.
At the end of each heat, the winners drove out of the ring while tow trucks and cranes lifted the losers away. Even with large cement blocks and a fence as barriers to protect the crowd filled bleachers, one cement block was knocked out of place and dirt was flung into the crowd. Pieces of vehicles were picked up in between heats, including one of the side door protection bars. The announcer reminded drivers they would be automatically disqualified if they hit the door of another vehicle.