As youngsters, demolition derby drivers such as Wyoming’s Chuck Tipton and Rye Womson dreamed of one day climbing behind the wheel and wrecking their own car. Both have done that several times and had success becoming one of the crowd favorites in Rock Springs. Weekends leading up to this year’s event have been spent not with a Campfire and friends but with a welder and dreams of bringing home this years top prize.

The Local 1499 Fire Department’s annual charity demolition derby is now in its 32nd running, with no signs of slowing down. The event schedule of this derby gives fans two days of smashing on a good sized dirt arena. Friday night’s show features the 80’s and newer class demo heats, a compact demo and approx 5 big iron heats with ten cars that are welded to the max. Those entrants lucky enough to finish first or second in the big iron heat will qualify for Saturdays “Big Dance”. There will be an 80’s class main event on Saturday as well.

Saturday’s action kicks off with a go-for-broke Full size truck derby that always brings the crowd into a frenzy. “Bob just doesn’t care; he’s full tracking everyone in sight,” Tory Thomas noted last year as eventual winner Bob Burns #81 laid the smack down on 2nd place #48 Randy Maynard. Once the trucks have sent each other off on the wrecker, the guys who stayed up all night in the pits making repairs to their Big Iron cars get a second chance; winners of the consolation heats get a ticket to the main. Usually, 16 cars qualify for the big money main that takes place following the local “Grudge Match”.

The grudge match features one car from each of the areas fire and rescue departments. Last year the Green River fire department took home the traveling trophy and more importantly the bragging rights as their Cadillac hearse took out the favored Rock Springs 1499’s clam shell wagon. Early word from Wyoming is the 1499 is ready to take back “their” trophy but several other departments have done their homework and look to take the Grudge Match. Tune in at 6PM Pacific/9 PM Eastern Friday night August 13, and again at 3PM Pacific/6 Eastern Saturday night for what will be a live event you won’t want to miss.
 

The dust has settled, the flags have been taken down and for the second year in a row Team Canada has left the states with some good old fashioned greenbacks and the Big Can-Am Trophy. The victory has not gone unnoticed in the states and many west coast drivers are calling for a few new team members for America. The Canadians team was already tough but when they added American turncoat Terry Ferrando from southern Oregon the Americans already slim chance of victory was all but extinguished.

Many of you remember Terry from the first jack ass movie skit rental car demolition derby. His car #V8 not only was one of the last Canadians running in the football game but he was a huge force in the main event. "Even if I'm not on the Canadians team next year I will be back, this was an awesome show, great fans and good drivers!" were the comments from Terry after the main event.

Eventual points champions Mike Craig #31 for the compacts and #1 Kelly Ensor for the bigs maintained an insurmountable points lead as the KDDA season draws closer to and end. The battles in both classes are really for 2nd through 5th and that has drivers doing whatever possible to accrue points. The Metal2Metal crew again had the 2 HD in car cameras planted in the right cars as #59 Tony Timlic showed when he rolled twice during a figure 8 with the camera on board.

Both main events had season high car counts which made for action from end to end at Thunderbird Stadium. The Canadians defiantly let their presence be felt taking 1 and 2 in the big main, and #424 Mike Thieblod shocked the compact world taking out KDDA's most successful group of drivers known as the eastside boys. After the event the compacts were given a standing Ovation for all the great hits. Until next year the Can-Am cup will be in the great white north enjoying Molson, Canadian Bacon, Rush and Pamela Anderson.
 

Spots on each team are not just handed out; each player has been hand selected as the best builders, drivers and showmen that each country has to offer. Team Canada features #196 Darren Chouney, #21 Randy Makowsky, #174 Sean Edwards, #166 Chad Raats, and new to the team with several years experience #V8 Terry Ferrando. There are no question marks on this team; if Las Vegas had Can-Am football odds, Canada would be the clear favorite beating the American’s two out of the last three seasons.

Captain Chourney says, “We enjoy coming down once a year and playing a little demolition derby football with our American cousin’s, and when we take the title home with us, makes it that much more fun!”
Be careful no to overlook the gritty bunch from the states who I assure you have done their homework this season. Captain John Yates explains his team,” Guys Like Jr. Sukut, Don Olin, Kelly Ensor, Joe Kowolski, and myself definitely want to take the title back and we're planning on playing a little different game this year.” In talking with them, I can certainly surmise that team USA has a surprise in store for the Canucks, we’ll just see how well they can execute it!

With the team announcements now begin the long nights in front of the welder to finish up the gridiron gladiators. This Saturday on Metal2Metal TV you will see five Canadians, five Americans and one official DDFL football (a brown mini van with laces) battle it out live from Thunderbird Stadium in the battle for North America’s bragging rights. The first team to score a Touchdown by moving the football into the end zone will win victory for their fans, their team, and their country! See you there……..Saturday July 24th 5pm PST

Oh, one more thing-there's also a few hours of figure eights, heavy contact heat races and some demolition derbies to get to as well……..
 

At over five hours long, this was the longest KDDA show (or any one day show anywhere) I’ve ever been involved with. No shortage of action at Thunderbird Stadium on July tenth, that’s for sure. Six great figure eights, four high octane heavy contact heats, and three demolition derbies were just a part of the night’s action.

The KDDA was able to generate nearly $8,000 for Seattle Washington’s “Cancer Care Alliance” and “Friends of Seattle Children’s Hospital” through a variety of funding sources, including the driver’s donating all or a portion of their pay, passing the hat through the stands, guaranteed cash from the KDDA, donations from the Metal2Metal crew, and a raffle for the derby car built by local Jim Toroni, who’s son is currently battling cancer. This was the fourth year of the annual Crash for the Cure and was a record setting event on two levels: the money donated and the car count in the charity derby (35).

The Metal2Metal crew was right in the middle:
• Ken “The Cone of Silence” Nelson in the charity dance-off (no, he didn’t win)
• Patrick “Mr. Mopar” Duncan derbying for the Purple Team
• Mike “Pinky” Nordstrom derbying for the Pink Team, naturally
Forks derby drivers Eric Anderson and Rex Allen stepped in for Pat and Pinky during the charity derby portion of the show.

 

This Saturday July 10th will mark year four of the quickest growing event on an already impressive Metal2Metal schedule. I guarantee you this event is like nothing you have ever seen and will be broadcast live 8pm EST. “The great thing about this event is nobody cares about the cash and politics of demo since all the money for this event goes to the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance and Friends of Seattle Children’s Hospital,” said purple team Captain Erik Nielsen.

Chain and go with 80 and newer cars allow everyone a chance for an easy quick build and 35 drivers have answered the call to duty. 17 cars will represent the pink squad including Co-captains’ Kelsey Payne and Mike “Pinky” Nordstrom. It’s great to have a demolition derby that is all about giving back to the community while putting on a very entertaining show,” Pinky says about making his 4th entry in the Crash for the Cure. The 17 Purple cars are anchored by Erik Nielsen, myself, and several honorary members like Erik’s brother Bjorn who lost his battle with cancer over two years ago.

And on a side of his own and driving the cancer car will be long time veteran and KDDA Hall of Fame member Rich Buhr. Rich has a Lincoln Limo that is build tougher than the regular cars and will play roll of enforcer. The event will start off with 11 cars from each side in a team demo, and Rich on a team of his own. Rich will be allowed hit any car on the track. Every 30 seconds a fresh car from both teams will enter the arena until all 17 are in the battle. Once all cars are in play the Limo then becomes fair game and the cancer car will be taken out. Last team running will be declared the winner.

Be sure to tune in to Metal2Metal.tv to see all the carnage because one way or another 30+ cars will be completely junked for a good cause. Now it’s time for me to plot a little strategy on everyone’s favorite punching bag who has finally answered my challenge. Pinky I’m coming for ya buddy!
 

What better way to celebrate our nations 234th birthday than with a good old fashioned forth of July from Forks, Washington. Once we finally pulled Brent and Pinky away from all the “Twilight” tours and mobs of vampire fans, the Hard Track Derby took center stage. Full size welded, compact and chain-n-go heats got down right nasty, sending several hopefuls home to light off their fireworks early.

The self proclaimed F-Town Mafia was in full force, bringing several cars for each event and highlighted by the Anderson brothers (#000 and #00) taking home one first place trophy each. Visiting drivers Corey Tucker (#08) and Steve Morgan (#35) each struck gold in the compact class representing the KDDA with a heat and a main win.

“Wow these guys sure take a lot of pride in their cars up here,” was the talk amongst the Metal2Metal team. “Every car has a professionally quality paint job, inside and out!” The action came hard and at full throttle, definatetly a derby worth the watch. Thanks to all of you who tuned in and made use of the live chat feature, you make the show better for all those who watch.

Stay tuned because I still have to get even with Pinky and that time is coming sooner than later!
 

It’s mid-way through the 2010 Kitsap Destruction Derby Association (KDDA) season and the points are getting critical. Kelly Ensor (Big Cars) and Michael Craig (Minis) lead their perspective classes, but both have quality drivers nipping at their heels. Add the excitement of the points races with the action of a Mini Car Football game and you’ve got one heck of a derby night!

On the Big Car front, Kelly (#1) enjoys a 10 point cushion over second and third place drivers Chuck Dano (#4) and Rick “Ricky Bobby” Hicks (#711). As many of you have seen, Chuck Dano has faired well against Kelly Ensor head-to-head, so Saturday night’s action could be the make or break for Kelly. Relative new-comer Ricky Bobby, a four year veteran of the KDDA, has one his first two full-contact races in the last two events and is looking for more.

In the Minis, Michael Craig (#31) enjoys a substantial lead over the field, and with second place driver Jason Lillybridge (#80) suspended for an unsportsmanlike penalty from June 5th, Craig could essentially lock up the 1st place trophy and bonus cash for the 2010 Mini Car Points Championship. There is a huge clump of drivers between 3rd and 8th place, including Mini Car football Captain Curt Bratcher (#85), Darcy Lester (#63.5), Scott Carter (#33), and others.

Lauren Acton will introduce you to Ricky Bobby and the other Mini Car Football Captain Victor Trent.  The Mini Car Football game will be fairly early in the night’s schedule and we hope to see you there!

It’s that time again for more out-of-the-car, off-the-track, and sit-down-lets-talk interviews with some of your favorite demolition derby drivers!

We’ve rounded up a few guys for another question and answer session. Let me tell you, these guys may handle the wheel like pros, but sit them in front of a camera and hook them up a to a mic…you’ll witness a whole new side of the drivers you already love to watch on the track. You’ll enjoy their answers as much as I enjoy asking the questions.

Tune in and watch! Learn more about your favorite drivers, behind the scenes information on the KDDA, and driver’s specific strategies when behind the wheel. Plenty of candid moments, you’re in for a good time!

In METAL2METAL's inaugural trip to Lynden's North Western Washington Fairgrounds, it was Randy Makowski who guided his "clamshell" wagon through Saturday's Consolation Heat and a Main Event win, making his pocket book $5,000 dollars fatter.

Many familiar names came across the border from the Great White North to take their best shot at going home with some US green backs.  Jason Ranker, Darren Chorney, Ryan Thieblod were unable to stop fellow countryman Makowski who was the talk of the track after his knockout performance in the Consi. "Makowski drove his butt off to get into the main," said Pinky after it appeared Makowski had used up all of his Chevrolet Wagon.

Second place went to Wayne VanLant who drove his #102 Suicide Lincoln to a heat win with no steering, and looked to have bested Makowski in the main until his steering box again failed. "The right man won.  Congratulations, Randy, you earned it having to race three times in two days," VanLant replied after Makowski picked off his final victim.
Race promoter and former winner of the Lynden demo said," The Lynden Derby has been around for years, and has been hugely successful as a local only derby.  Last June the doors were opened for out of towners to join in the fun...It once again was a great show and the program went smooth."

I had a great time bringing you some more METAL2METAL action, it's always interesting when you go to a new arena and see others interpretation of demolition derby. But as this years season continues to unfold and the devastation continues to mount, we will continue to bring you the best demolition derby show in the country. Thanks time to get busy I have a feeling that the next METAL2METAL event will be the best one yet!

Day one of the Lynden Spring Derby is "in the books"!

Who would have known we'd be calling a tractor pull? Certainly not us!!! That's ok though, a little diversity is good. Three great demos, a figure eight for the kids, burn-outs and the Honda-Crunch made for almost three hours of quality entertainment. We we also able to get some killer in-car camera footage of the 999 car's demo and will show that footage right after we go live tonight. There's nothing quite like watching a glass-house Buick "fold up nicely" from inside the car, is there?

Day two will feature two consolation-type derbies: the first will be the "consolation", which will have yesterday's 4-6 in each heat (those who can get their car running) and the second "last chance" heat encompassing everyone else.

Several of the last chance cars are essentially fresh (124 among others) and were stopped early due to strange circumstances (pushed up over the barriers, etc), so look for a sleeper to come out of the last chance derby. We already have our nine for the $5,000 main event with three to go (two from the consi and one from the last chance), for a possible total of twelve in that tiny arena. I expect fireworks!

Hope to hear from you tonight.
Thanks for watching, Brent, Pat, Pinky and Ken.

Hello everyone - this is Brent, your humble Demolition Derby announcer. We've got a great one planned for your viewing enjoyment.

On Friday, June 4th and Saturday, June 5th, Metal2Metal is going LIVE from the Lynden Washington annual TWO DAY Championship Demolition Derby! This type of demo is the best derby format: one day of demolition derby qualifiers and a day two filled with conciliation heats and the Main Event.

Richard Hamner, promoter of the event, says the car count should exceed 40!  This is going to be our first ALL-DERBY LIVE and I can hardly wait. See you there!

The KDDA season is now in full swing and, after all that went down on May 15th at our second Metal2Metal live event, things will be quite interesting throughout the summer.

KDDA's point leader and top man Kelly Ensor was held in check all night as a half dozen new Imperials did their job.  They caused Kelly all kinds of problems and sent him home without any hardware. Veterans Jim "the animal" Harp along with his nephew Axle Harp had big nights and moved up the leader board nicely for there first event of the year.

Mike Craig #31 continued his absolute dominance of the mini car class with 4 wins, and could have the season points championship on ice before July. Both classes of trucks put on a stellar demolition derbies and several epic hits were captured on our new in-car camera feature.

Travis Kowolski #330 tied with Jeremy Randle #78 in the big truck event, inwhich I placed third. Pinky brought two trucks but did not strap himself in, I'm sure it had something to do with the hard-hitting Mopar trucks out there. I will do my best to lock horns with the sneaky Pinky #114 at least once this season and currently have a few cars in various stages of completion.

Stay tuned for the next KDDA event June 19th where we will get our first look at a football game demolition style.

As is usually the case, the first demo of the season starts the ball rolling and the second night tends to bring out a fleet of drivers who failed to show on night one. Already set to make there comeback are past point champ #87 Dale Avery Jr., as well as KDDA veterans #42 Steve Melseth and #7 Jim Harp.

After Team Kowalski used a little father/son magic to both place in the big car main event during the last Metal2Metal production, the remaining drivers have set a plan in place to attempt to unseat the always tough Cow-dillac’s. Mini car action looks to stay at an all time high with up and comer Jason Lillybridge looking to expend his negative energy after a bad gearbox kept him from taking an early points lead over the lightning quick and odds on favorite this season, #31 Mike Craig. Metal2Metal on Saturday, May 15^th,  is sure to go down as one of the great nights of the season.

The first ever four and a half hour Live Demolition Derby from Metal2Metal Productions is in the books!  Three drivers had three wins apiece (Kelly Ensor, Chuck Dano and Michael Craig) and there were more rollovers during the races than we could count!  Thunderbird Stadium definitely got it's shots in…..

The Demos at the end had fairly low car counts but made up for it in high energy impacts!  The figure eights (all eight of them)lived up to expectations as well.  Two great rollover drivers wowed fans with 720s and the heat races certainly met the "Combative Racing"  guidelines.

Some trash was talked and a few driver's doors were scuffed up-look for some payback in the next production on May 15th!

Only two days away from our first ever live Demolition Derby Webcast!

Hello everyone - this is Brent, one of the announcers and producer of the Metal2Metal show that will make its debut on DDLeague.org in just over 48 hours. Our crew is pumped! We’ve been taping Demolition Derbies and making DVDs for about six years, but have NEVER gone live before! We welcome this challenging opportunity and hope Demolition Derby fans like it.

I’ve been putting together some driver interviews to run during intermissions. One of the interviewees you will see (in two parts) is the KDDA’s (the KDDA is the club we’re broadcasting Saturday) current President and last years Point’s Champion, Kelly Ensor (#47). After talking with him off-line, let’s just put it this way: If he doesn’t win at least 3 races on Saturday, I’ll be surprised.

Just to let everyone know what they’re getting themselves into, the LIVE event Saturday night will have a combination of oval and figure eight races (of the heavy contact variety or course) a Rollover competition, a boat (not on a trailer) figure eight (should get messy), and two huge Demolition Derbies at the end. Should last about 5 hours overall.

See you there! Brent