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Demolition Derby

Christine DeLessio/The Tampa Tribune

Evan Freeman, an art student at West Zephyrhills Elementary, paints the bumper on a car that the school is entering in the Pasco County Fair's demolition derby.

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By GEOFF FOX | The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 16, 2008

Updated: 02/16/2008 02:36 pm

ZEPHYRHILLS - The engines roar.

The dirt flies.

Metal meets metal in a mosh pit of machinery.

In the midst of a demolition derby, some competitors drive to win; others endeavor only to please the crowd with a smash-'em-up style that can leave vehicles battered and bent.

Count veteran driver Jeremy Graves among the latter.

Graves, 29, a tow-truck driver with Atlas Towing in Wesley Chapel, has been competing in demolition derbies around Florida for about eight years. Next 2/24Sunday, he will be one of about 30 drivers expected to compete in the first Pasco County Fair Demolition Derby.

"It's been so long ago I don't remember why I went and did it" the first time, Graves said. "It was in St. Petersburg. I was working for a towing company, and they had a car that fit the bill. I enjoyed it so much, and I've been doing it ever since.

"It's an incredible rush, man."

The demolition derby is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. in the rodeo arena. The winner will receive about $650 and the second-place finisher will take home $250. Winners of individual heats receive $50; entrance fees are $25 per driver.

On Feb. 24, Graves will drive a 1985 Oldsmobile station wagon that was painted for the occasion by art students at West Zephyrhills Elementary School, attended by his daughters, ÖSkylar, 9, and Hannah, 7.

Christine ÖCostanzo, an art teacher at West Zephyrhills, said about 17 students helped paint the car, mostly fourth- and fifth-graders who received an "E" in art the previous quarter.

She said Graves told them to "make it as colorful as we could."

"Our school mascot is the Bulldogs, so the kids brainstormed," she said. "We wound up with big circles with paw prints and a bulldog face in the back. It was a great experience and really fun. All the kids really seemed to like having a big junky car on campus."

Costanzo said she is hoping a large group from the school will attend the event.

"I sent home a notice and found out that on Sunday kids 12 and under get in free with an adult," she said.

Graves said he got the station wagon from a Tampa towing company. In the past he has used vehicles obtained through connections in the towing and junk yard businesses.

"The early- to mid-'70s GM cars are the best, in my opinion," Graves said. "They had heavier frames in the late '70s. By the early '80s they had the crumple zones to absorb impact. In the '70s the philosophy was 'the harder the better.'"

Sunday's derby is organized by Stoney Roberts Promotions of Harriman, Tenn. The company is run by Frank Roberts, son of demolition derby pioneer Keith "Stoney" Roberts.

Frank Roberts said the company was inspired to approach Pasco fair officials because of successful promotions at fairs in Hernando and Sumter counties, among others around the state.

"I think it will turn out to be an annual event in Pasco," he said. "All drivers will [reside] within a 75- to 100-mile radius of Dade City. That's why it works so well at fairs. It's local people and neighbors, and that's what draws such a big crowd."

The Pasco County Fair is Roberts' first promotion in 2008. He said he expects to promote about 70 events this year, "from 20 miles to the Canadian border down to Florida."

While a demolition derby might not look sophisticated to the casual observer, Graves said the competition does require strategy.

"Obviously, you want to use the back of your car and go for the fronts and the tires," he said. "You want to knock those out. … I've never been seriously hurt, you just get sore. You just wear a helmet and a long-sleeve shirt. You're not required to wear a fire suit or anything like that. We use the seatbelts that come in the cars."

He obviously can't wait for next Sunday.

"I don't consider myself a good driver, but I'm competitive," he said. "There are some guys out there who I have a lot of respect for and put on a good show. I'd rather put on a good show than not be remembered.

"I'd rather make a mess out of my car. It's a demolition derby, not a game of 'possum.'"

Reporter Geoff Fox can be reached at (813) 948-4217 or gfox@tampatrib.com.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: The 61st annual Pasco County Fair

WHEN: Monday2/18 to 2/24Sunday. Hours are 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 3 p.m. to midnight Friday; 10 a.m. to midnight Saturday; and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday.

WHERE: Pasco County Fairgrounds, about 7 miles east of Interstate 75 on State Road 52.

COST: Admission is $7 for adults and $4 for children ages 6 to 12. Parking is free.

INFORMATION: For information, Call the fair office at Ö(352) 567-6678 or visit Öwww.pascocountyfair.com.

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