The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
Demo derby a grand spectacle
Fair continues today at Brookfield Fairgrounds
BROOKFIELD, N.Y. » Clouds of smoke and dust could be seen from a mile away coming from the Madison County Fairground’s opening day and the first ever Team Demolition Derby.
While many fairgoers come for the food and rides, the drivers of the derby formed teams of two to three and had one goal in mind once they entered the arena: pummel the other teams’ cars into submission.
It’s an adrenaline rush to be behind the wheel, driver Christopher White said. Driving car number 11c of White’s Welding, White has had his fair share of collisions.
“I’ve been doing this for around 20 years. It’s a lot of fun to just smash cars together and it’s a great adrenaline rush,” White said.
It takes a lot to get a car ready for a demolition derby, White said. The most important step is to first get everything flammable out of the car, from the seats to any plastics.
Oneida firefighter Timothy Cowan said that nowadays, fur-
nishings -- from couches to seats -- are nothing more than solidified gasoline and can go up in seconds.
Bridgewater Fire Chief William Deking has been a member of the fire department since 1972 and has been overseeing the Madison County Fair demolition derby for almost as long. It’s up to the firefighters, paramedics and EMTs to be there when needed and the Bridgewater Fire Department, Hubbardsville Fire Department, West Edmonston Fire Department and Edwards Ambulance if something goes wrong.
“There’s all sorts of risks to drivers. Mostly fires, hard hits and roll overs. We do see a lot of whiplash,” Deking said. “Over the years, people have started wearing collars around their neck to protect from whiplash and better safety belts for hits. But other than that, there’s not a lot the drivers can do. Over the years, we haven’t really seen any major injuries. Maybe a back injury and injured wrists fromwhen the steering wheel got spun around, but nothing serious.”
White’s vehicle had been prepared to make sure he was as safe as possible; ev- erything non-essential was torn out, anything flammable removed and anything that could hurt the driver was tossed.
“Personally, I haven’t been hurt but I know a lot of people who have. Stuff like whiplash, but its all in good fun,” White said.
Kurt Bradbury was one of the spectators at the Madison County Fairground’s Demolition Derby, but back in 2013, he retired from the track after winning Madison County Fair’s 2013 derby.
“I walked away from the derby because of a bad back,” Bradbury said.
Bradbury said he didn’t know if it was because of the derby, but did admit it probably didn’t help.
Around 23 years ago, Bradbury got into the demolition derby game with his wife’s brothers and found it to be an experience like nothing else.
“It was a good adrenaline rush andwe liked building, but it built a bond of family time,” Bradbury said. “It’s a good family time and we all enjoy it. My son even does the Power Wheels Derby.”
Aaron Bradbury, 8, gets into his Power Wheels car and drives for ten minutes against other children. Participants need a helmet, a seatbelt and at the end, win a trophy.
“I like winning a trophy and its a lot fun to drive. It’s a rush,” Aaron said.
Aaronmay be the youngest in the family, but he’s not the only one who likes to smash cars together.
Bradbury’s daughter Kursten has been a part of demolition derbies before and his son Cody was actually a participant of this year’s Team Demoltion Derby in the 23 car on Team Nasty.
Becoming part of a demolition derby is getting easier nowadays, White said. Cheap cars on places like Craigslist, eBay or even Facebook that have been on the road for a long time are getting easier to find and are sturdy enough for the derby.
Sunday, July 15 is Local Agriculture Day. Gates open at 8 a.m. with the Tractor Pull spinning off at 9:30 a.m. At 2 p.m. the bicycle giveaway will take place for ages 15 and younger (must be present to win). At 3 p.m. Matt Chase and the Thunder Canyon Band will perform. The Chainsaw Art silent action winners will be announced at 3 p.m.
General admission is $5. Children younger than 3 are admitted free every day. Anyone who brings a nonperishable food itemwill receive free admission.
For more information, visit madisoncountyfairny. com.