Dem-Derbies Take A Hit From High Scrap Prices-

[AB195]

Reading and article here, states that demolation derbies are becomming an increasingly unaffordable sport because of soaring scrap metal prices, which is making demo-type cars harder to find. Strong consumption by domestic steel producers is driving up prices, along with raw material demands from India, China, and Korea. Junk yards are paying out nearly triple amounts per ton of scrap metals and iron.
All States but Hawaii have at least one demo-derby a year, mostly at the State Fairgrounds. Hit hard the most is the Mid-west, which are accostomed to seeing 100 cars at a single event, now are seeing about 40 to 50. and when car counts drop, so does attendance, and host's profit margins. Sound familiar? States that aggrivating the situation of low car counts, is an increasingly growing interst in a new breed of participants; doctors and lawyers, willing to dump $5000.00 in a single engine, weeding out the little guy that's on a limited budget.

[Boneman]

$5000 deme derby engines? Are some of our Florida promoters involved in that deal? Sealed, spec demo engines, gee whiz.

I think the theory is to use very low compression and very high clearances, so they keep running when they are very hot.

With fewer demos, we'll have to find a way to keep the less civilized competitors occupied. Maybe they can focus their efforts into dog fighting, poaching gators and meth labs.

[ronabneysr]

demo derbys you don't need 5000..00 motor

my son races cars dirt - asphalt ever were all kind of cars . and has ran seven or eight times in the crash a rama . the first time he ran a demo derby in big cars nice big ole caddy police impound 500 dollar car and he won it well that's what don nerone said when he called me that night . but by time the flag man got down and found out who was second that guy won it and my son was second . and flag man and moe and his son and the gang was out in boat next day celebtrating that's ok ain't it chuck rush did you all catch any

fish

and then the next time we ran a crash a rama my son ran his second demo derby and guess what same flag man and yes he finished second again in and ole big ford another police impound 300.00 car i think this was one of chucks buddys from new york that flew down here and hung around with them for couple weeks /// i guess it's who you know not how fast you go or how hard you hit

[Boneman]

Yep, demos are just like figure skating. The winner is decided by a judge, and most are won by little girls.

[Todd McCreary]

that there is some fine, quality hatorade you're throwing around, Boneman.

keep up the good work!

[Todd McCreary]

on a more constructive note, i think Airborne Park Speedway has figured out how to attract a crowd for an enduro ( i'm assuming this would also work for a demo derby ).

no entry fee, but you leave the car. that ought to cut down on the $5k dollar motors too.

http://www.airborneparkspeedway.com/