Demolition derby returns to county fairgrounds

Capacity crowds are expected tonight at the Garland County Fairgrounds as fans from over seven states cheer on the colliding competitors gathered for the largest demolition derby in the south.

Jeff Palmer, with K&P promotions, is hosting the annual derby, renamed “Hot Springs Havoc,” for the second time this year. He said the long running event was dropped last year by the previous host and within 30 days he was able to pull off hosting the inaugural Hot Springs Havoc in its place.

Palmer said the Garland County Fair has set a mark recognized by the Guinness World Records for holding the longest consecutive running demolition derby in the nation, and he wanted to continue the tradition.

“They’ve kept it alive and over the years Hot Springs fans have given it a lot of support. They’re drawn to the fastpaced action,” he said.

Palmer said he has seen the derby change over the past 20 years, with improvements to equipment, the arena floor and performance ability of the cars.

“The driving style has changed. Now you see head-on collisions. In the past you didn’t want to get hit in the front to protect the radiator,” he said.

This year’s demolition derby winner will be awarded $10,000, he said, noting the total purse for the competition increased $7,000, totaling $22,000 for this year’s top winners. 130 cars with drivers from Canada and the U.S. are expected to compete.

“Derby drivers are totally wired different. I’ve heard them described as the kids that used to take a hammer to their Hot Wheels. When you build derby cars you want to see how you can tear them up, that’s the goal,” Palmer said.

Palmer, a Lakeside alumni, said he

was inspired to create K&P promotions as a way to give back to the community.

“I’m coming from being a 15 year-old kid that ran my first derby in 1999, to promoting the biggest derby in the south on the same track I played as a fair participant. It’s awesome and humbling,” Palmer said.

He explained the mental challenge to the demolition derby, comparing it to a science experiment.

“In science class you build a cage around an egg and at the end you drop them off the football stadium to see whose eggs broke. Derby cars are similar, you’re given rules and parameters. 50 percent is seeing who can build the best car and the other 50 is the adrenaline rush,” Palmer said.

Palmer said they added a second night to the derby this year and Saturday will feature a performance from Charlie Farley at 4 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased at the door. Adult tickets are $15 per day or $25 for a 2-day pass and tickets for children ages 5-12 are $5; today’s derby begins at 7 p.m. and Saturday’s begins at 6 p.m.