Demolition Derby!

This weekend we did what any self-respecting Spanish Forkian would have done. We went to the Demolition Derby! I have somehow fallen in love with redneck activities. And dragged the whole family with me. I even wore my new belt buckle! But, since I had the camera, no one got a picture of it. You'll have to wait until the rodeo next year.

It was a little warm at the beginning, but not for too long. Sister Accountant and family came with us!

Before the Demolition Derby the Firemen had to get ready in case of Fire.

Last weekend, in Nephi, apparently three different cars caught on fire and needed Firemen.

And some random guy had a nice new haircut.

The Pink Pig won Best Paint Job. For obvious reasons.

The Lightning Car came in second.

And I don't think this one won any prizes.

Here were all the cars we had voted for, before any of them were crashed.

It finally begins! The cars come out and circle around at the beginning of the first match.

Some are prettier than others.

And some are just banged up.

And they're off!

The General Lee, pre-crash.

There was a lot of dirt in the air.

And lots of crashing.

And smoking, from the cars.

And cars were pushed out of the arena.

It wasn't just the Pink Pig pushing.

Lots of crashes.

The cars almost became unrecognizable.

This flame was on purpose.

After every round it took at least 15 minutes to clear the arena. This tow truck has special help.

I bet this is a Tow Truck's dream job!

My favorite car in the next round. 

Zoom!

And by now you're probably sick of Demolition Derby pictures...

But there's more!

And if you don't wanna see them next year you'll have to come with us.

Pile up!

See all the dust?

And Exhaust Smoke?

My lungs definitely need some cleaning today.

Crunch!

Bang!

Oh No! I'm missing a wheel! I can't go anywhere!

And it speeds off...

And T-bones the Green Car...

And Rolls it over...

And gets High-Centered? Is that the correct term? This isn't a usual position for a car so I'm not sure of the lingo.

And the action was temporarily paused while the cars were laid flat again.

But not for long!

Ouch!

Half the cars ended up moving the cement bumpers.

Or landing on top of them.

More dirt in the air.

Axles started getting bent.

And bumpers unattached.

Crunch!

The only way out at the end of the round.

Grudge Match! Losers chance to get in the Winner's Match. At this point the break between matches started stretching to a half hour, these poor cars needed to get back into running shape.

The Grudge matches were the best!

Just when you thought it couldn't be crushed any more...

Of upended again!

Or crushed....

Oh they were speedy!

Gotcha!

The cars are beginning to fall apart.

And the dirt flies even more furiously.

And the smoke gets thicker.

3 1/2 hours after the start. The championship match, finally!

Crunchier cars.

Front ends begin curling upwards

And the pileups get bigger.

His front wheels started this way at the beginning of the match. By now he's finished.

This car has lost his back wheel. But he's not out! He's one of the last two, gunning for first place and the $5,000 prize, barely enough to recoup some of their costs. He keeps running around the arena. He gets stuck once in a while and just when he's about the be DQ'd ,he gets going again! And the crowd goes wild! he's the favorite of the crowd. He's getting ready to crash his only running opponent.

And he smashes him so hard that both engines immediately stop. It's silent in the arena. But only for a moment. And then the announcer calls for everyone to stay in their seats, the driver of  the Green Car appears to be injured. It stays silent. The EMS run out.

The EMS crowd around the Green Car, checking on the driver, wondering how to get him out of this mess. The anticipation mounts. The ambulance comes to the entrance of the arena. And just as it is about to enter the All Clear is given! The Driver is ok. And not only is he ok, but he WANTS TO FINISH THE RACE!

The 3-wheeled car just can't ever get his car started again, so the green car runs around the arena, hits him and wins the Demolition Derby! Since he's back from the almost-dead everyone cheers and cheers for him! And his wife runs out and hugs him dearly. And he wins just enough money home to buy a new car and outfit it for next year.