Engines Roared as The Demolition Derby Rocked Madoc Fairgrounds: Feature Winner Announced
- alyxewing019
- Sep 16
- 2 min read
Engines roared, sparks flew and the grandstands shook with cheers as the demolition derby delivered a night of crunching collisions at Madoc’s Fair Saturday night for their 120th year celebration.
The event opened with the national anthem before the crowd turned its attention to the ring, where young drivers in toy Power Wheels cars popped balloons in a lighthearted warm-up to the main competition.
The miniature car division came first, with 32 vehicles split into three heats. The first heat included eight drivers and the remaining two heats had 12 drivers in each heat. The top four drivers from all three heats moved on to the demolition feature.
Between heats, the crowd was treated to fiery performances by Darling Darling of the North Fire Circus Company, who dazzled with a flame-filled act that drew loud applause with crowds shouting their loudest “yee-haw!”.
The trucks followed with six drivers battling for dominance, ending with some smashed-up trucks and unharmed drivers.
Darling returned to the ring for one last performance with some more fire acts with hula hoops, ending it with a fire-eating act with batons lit a blaze.
As the night went on, the hard luck heat gave 14 competitors one last chance to smash their way into the feature. For many drivers, this was a tough heat, having to go against other drivers from the mini car heat for a spot to try again. The top four drivers moved on to the feature for a third attempt to win tonight’s demolition derby feature.
Behind the ring, in the pits, many drivers participating in tonight’s feature prepared to get their cars ready for another thrill-seeking round. Switching out flat tires and oil filters, securing loose pieces of steel on their trunks, topping up any oil and bolting down their hoods.
The full-size cars entered the ring as the feature contenders prepared. The full-size car heat had six drivers and got the crowd engaged, ready for the feature to begin.
The feature began shortly after with 16 drivers, each ready to give the crowd a show. As the crowd cheered, engines roared. The night neared an end as the final two drivers did a stand off, circling another mini car driver that had come to a stop, before crashing into each other with squealing tires and smoke.
Madoc-local, Mike McGrain, had won tonight’s feature event. McGrain had participated in the second heat of the mini cars, placing third in his heat.
By the end of the evening, with smoke hanging over the ring and cars reduced to twisted metal, fans left the grandstands buzzing from a spectacle that organizers say remains one of the fair’s most popular traditions.
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