Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Last Car Standing
Even in reverse, demolition derby drivers zero in
Dusty Richards has ridden many trails throughout his lifetime. An author of western novels, he’s learned much about the wild, wild west — and he’s seen the Ozark Demolition Derby in Springdale.
“It’s wild. It’s ‘Wreck Your Buddy Night.’ I’ve even seen a few get in fistfights,” Richards says of the drivers, who often are friends and family members.
“It’s smash ‘em up, bash ‘em up and tear ‘em up!”
Richards reports 33 drivers have registered cars for Saturday night’s 17th annual Fall Challenge Ozark Demolition Derby in Parsons Stadium. Richards serves as vice president of the Rodeo of the Ozarks, which sponsors the event.
Richards explained a demolition derby driver’s main job is to demolish and disable the cars of his competitors.
“The winner is the last one out that’s still rolling — even if the car can only back up,” Richards says. “(The driver) opens the throttle and tromps on the pedal. He’ll back up again and again to get you.”
Despite wrecks that would challenge the best of Northwest Arkansas’ emergency services to clear, the sport is relatively safe, Richards says. The drivers are restrained, and the cars carry only a few gallons of fuel, he explains. And Rodeo Board members David Dodd, Jimmy Bowen, John Gladden and Joe Rollins pull disabled cars out of the arena with a tractor time and time again.
The Rodeo of the Ozarks awards $5,000 and a trophy to the winner. The rodeo pays other surviving drivers through ninth place.
In addition to stock cars, the event features one heat of “minis,” says Rick Culver, executive director of the rodeo. The minis are smaller, front-wheel drive, compact cars, he explains.
“They are like little bumble bees,” he says. “They buzz around out there. They hit and bounce off each other. It’s really funny to watch.”