Double the derby

It may only be one day, but it’ll be double the destruction.

Demolition derbies return to the Jay County Fair grandstand this evening, and instead of the traditional two days it’ll be just one.

“The competitors are really loving this,” said Rick Neargarder, the fair board’s demo derby liaison. “They have to get ready for one day instead of two days.

“We’ve had nothing but compliments on what we’re doing.”

Demolition derbies at the Jay County Fair have traditionally been a two-day event, generally on the Friday and Saturday evenings as the final grandstand entertainment.

This year, it was supposed to bookend the extended nine-day fair, but the coronavirus pandemic forced the fair board to shorten the fair to just four days.

The board also made the decision to cram the carnage into one day.

Logistically, not much changed for event planners.

“Just more hours in one day,” Neargarder said. “It just makes it a longer day. Probably putting in the same amount of hours in one day instead of two.”

The gate opens at 8 a.m. for drivers to get registered and have their vehicles inspected.

Registration closes at 3 p.m, with the action beginning at 4 p.m.

The event is being promoted by Gettin Junked Promotions, and it is the second of three derbies scheduled at Jay County Fairgrounds; the first was Derby Icons’ Metal Mayhem on June 27 and 28, and the next will be Turkey Derby on Nov. 28 and 29.

It will also be one of more than 30 events sanctioned under ME527 Announcing’s Unified Points Series.

The series, started by Mark Elliot of Eaton, Ohio, works in conjunction with more than 60 sponsors and 17 promotors to put on its schedule.

“Drivers in every derby class, at every show in Jay County, will score points for a top-three finish and could potentially be the 2020 United Points Series champion in December,” Elliott said. “The series will bring drivers to Portland from states near and far to try and score points.”

John Shipley of Madison Township, Ohio, is the current points leader with 30 points and he is expected to make an appearance in Jay County tonight. So, too, is Steven Sickles (20 points), a Uniontown, Pennsylvania, native who is one of five drivers tied for fourth place.

Jeremy Riley (fifth) of Kentucky and Don Santel, a three-time Metal Mayhem winner, are also expected to make their way to Jay County for tonight’s action.

“The significance for ME527 Announcing in Jay County during 2020 is that we are working for three different promoters at (the) facility,” Elliott said. “No other facility of our 30-plus show schedule provides a place for smashing cars for more than one promoter let alone three promoters.

“This could be a trend Jay County takes credit for sharing. It will certainly help the local economy.”

Pit passes are $20 per person, and each driver needs to purchase one in addition to their race entry fee. Box seats are $15, and grandstand seats are $10.

“Hoping for a great event,” Neargarder said. “This is the only paid event we have to make us money. This is where the profits have to come from.”