Demolition Derbies are Radical
I had the fabulous experience a couple weeks ago of shooting video at very close up at a demolition derby in the Poconos. I was right above the action, on the infield, in the middle of the mud. The producers parked a big truck for me to set up a tripod just ten feet from the edge of the dirt pit where the hulking skeleton cars were smashing each other up. Pure awesomeness! No, I won’t be videoblogging it, unfortunately. It was a gig for an ESPN show.
One of the most interesting thing about a demo derby is the people involved, of course. First of all, what would possess a person to spend untold hours modding an old car just to trash it in the matter of minutes? The prize money for this event was like $1000 for first place. I can’t imagine after buying the car, fixing it up, flatbedding it to the event, the gas, the food, etc. they’d even break even.
I guess that’s what makes it a uniquely American affair. Cars. Crashing. Loudness. Mud. Lots of mud. All because, well, it’s fun.
Technorati Tags: driving, cars, americana, demolition derby, hobbies
Add New Comment
Viewing 7 Comments
Thanks. Your comment is awaiting approval by a moderator.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Add New Comment
Trackbacks
(Trackback URL)