A big shout-out to the following CNC4x4 members for participating in this event....
- Rob B.
- Mike F.
- Danny H.
- Doug J.
- Robert and Lisa T.
- Ron W.
And a special thanks to Ken C. for doing all the logistics to set this up.
The club received payment for our services, plus free entry to the show and the 'best seats in the house' for the demolition derby...right up close and personal!
Unlike last year, we we're not allowed to "show" our rigs in the main show area. Most of us do not meet the criteria for having rigs 1972 or earlier, however, starting at around 7:30AM we set up a table, banner, and out-reach information just outside the registration building so people knew we were there and could come out and visit us while taking a break from the main show.
Thanks to Robert, Lisa and other club members for talking up CNC4x4, handing out our business cards, and in one case, a hardcopy application to a couple of guys with a nicely built-up TJ(?) Sahara with a snorkel. (Note to Scott: Watch for an application from 'Eddie'. Thx.)
Weather was perfect and CNC4x club members had plenty of time to look at great examples of 1972 and earlier American made cars, from total restorations to wild custom jobs. From one perspective, if you had a '32 Ford hot rod or a restored '55-57 Chevy, you were in good company. That's not to say there wasn't plenty of other Detroit iron from all makes and models. Visit Good Guys Car Shows or ask one of us for a copy of this year's show catalog if you want to know more.
Fair food? Check. CNC4x4 members dined on the finest 'gyros, sausage, ribbon fries and funnel cakes' the state has to offer. Didn't see anyone go for the deep-fried oreos this time!
Again unlike last year, yesterday's weather was perfect...at least from our point of view. The 'tacky but not muddy' track meant easier towing and almost no de-mudding afterwards. Some of the derby drivers loved it...some preferred last year's ankle-deep mud...but every one of those guys and gals put on a great show for packed stands. Thanks to one of our members for taking the time to cover their car seats, gas/brake pedals, and carpeting with plastic...thus ensuring perfect weather and almost no mud! ;-)
There were two preliminary heats of eight full-size cars each, followed by one jaw-clenching heat of about 20 'mini-cars' (4-cylinder, front wheel drive), ending with a deafening championship heat of ~10 full size cars.
At the end of every heat, CNC4x4 was out there with our chains, straps and J-hooks quickly and safely clearing the field for the next heat. Typically, a little less than 1/2 of the cars were able to limp off the field under their own power with the exception of the mini-car heat...the majority of them were totally smashed! The others were left for either CNC4x4 to tow, or if they were too badly damaged and hung up on the concrete barriers, a fork lift truck would either get them unstuck for us to tow, or in the worst cases lift them straight up and move them to the pit area.
New CNC4x4 member Danny H and his companion in their '01 black Wrangler Sahara didn't need much encouragement as they jumped right in there to clear out the disabled derby cars.
CNC4x4 got a couple of nice shout-outs from the announcer early in the program and club members had lots of good interaction with drivers and promoters. It was great PR for CNC4x4 and a great business deal for the promoters..
Unfortunately there were some driver injuries, some requiring an ambulance trip and there was one very small fire immediately put out by city and county firemen. There was great support from both fire departments and EMS. It's a rough sport.
At the end of a long day (around 10 PM), CNC4x4 had safely towed over 30 disabled demo derby cars and made new friends with fair officials, Good Guys promoters, demo derby drivers and staff.
Got a feeling we're going to get invited back next year. Be ready for some fun!
Pictures/Videos of the Event
