Demolition Derby
"Crash-A-Rama"

What is Demolition Derby?

It's non-stop smashing, crashing, metal crunching, and bone jarring action with cars inside an enclosed arena.   The derby is held on a dampened dirt, sometimes muddy surface.

The first documented demolition derby was allegedly held at Islip Speedway, owned then by Larry Mendelson. It's been said that the sports' inception was the result of an automobile accident, in Ohio in the mid-1950's, at a busy city's intersection where a driver stopped abruptly in the intersection with intentions of turning left without signaling those intentions to the driver directly behind them.  The ensuing collision infuriated the rear driver to the extent that he promptly shifted his car into reverse, proceeded backward a few feet, then quickly rammed forward into the driver who neglected to signal.  A passerby happened to notice that the pedestrians, at this crowded intersection began to applaud the entertainment being provided and so he decided to launch this unusual spectator attraction at local racetracks.

The New Alexandria Lions, looking for ways to raise money for the community and local charities, decided to hold their first attempt at this event and here we are 33 years later!

The arena is large enough to hold up to 40 cars at one time, is contained within a perimeter of rubber (hi-lift) tires to retain the competing automobiles

Each race is started with a countdown from the spectators, from 10 to blast-off, lead by 12 year veteran announcer Barry Miller.

Prior to the derby events, officials begin the task of thoroughly inspecting cars on the night of the Demolition Derby. Scott Miller and Aaron Slezak, demo co=chairpersons, head up a group of 8 officials.

In the history of Lions demolition derby, over 500 men and women from as far away as New York and Ohio have strapped on a crash helmet to compete to be a New Alex Lions Demo Champion  

Demolition Derbies can be a lot of fun!  Whether you're a driver or a spectator or someone that has never been here, you can't beat Friday nights during the summer in New Alexandria!  See our Schedule page for dates, prices and times! 

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