first timer

that was some cool shit! Can someone explain the rules though, b/c either there's something I'm not figuring out or some of those people couldn't drive to save their lives. (I'm aware you can't hit the driver's side door).

that was also my first time at the state fair, which I thought sucked till I started watching the derby...

10/27/2008 10:19:09 PM

first time at the fair?

man ive been practicing for like 18+ years or so trying to nail down those games....

here's to another year of practicing

btw, the only auto sport ive ever seen at the fair was the tractor pull or something like that.. and that was like yeeeaaaarrs ago

10/27/2008 11:53:22 PM

only thing ive seen is the joey chitwood show

10/27/2008 11:57:45 PM

I spotted derby car carnage in front of Jeepman's place today.
How did the wagon do, Matt??

[Edited on October 28, 2008 at 12:15 AM. Reason : missed the fair completely this year first time ever]

10/28/2008 12:14:24 AM

the wagon did ok but the negative cable came loose and the car was done. shoulda moved the battery to the passenger compartment but glen (the driver) didn't want to, so oh well. next time.

10/28/2008 12:33:19 AM

thats why you need to run a diesel, and clip off the fuel shutoff soleniod pin, it wont quit till it locks up no matter what

10/28/2008 8:05:39 AM

what makes it look like they can't drive is the fact that it's muddy down there and there's not much traction

10/28/2008 9:55:33 AM

^x4 hard to tell at matts house, it always looks like derby carnage in the yard

10/28/2008 10:42:09 AM

True but I saw this one being prepped a couple of nights before (thought welding supports for the new battery location was part of the plan, too...??) Looks like the wagon had a pretty good run anyway!

10/28/2008 12:53:43 PM

^^^I'm aware of that, but you can't blame mud for intentionally missing someone for a good solid hit, or slowing down before "dinking" someone inflicting no damage at all, instead of really doing a number on them. I mean isn't the point to be the last car running?

Jeepman, do you live on Crest? I've seen a smashed up wagon there for a bit now.

10/28/2008 5:50:56 PM

crest rd. fab to death yo

10/29/2008 9:58:40 AM

yeah I live on crest. the driver didn't think moving the battery was a big deal so we didn't move it. getting a derby car ready in a day and a half FTL

10/29/2008 12:19:34 PM

^^^well, the key is to tear everyone else's shit up without rendering yours inoperable

10/29/2008 1:09:03 PM

Stay Crest to Death

10/29/2008 4:06:52 PM

^^dude, I know. But if you're about to wail on the front or front quarter panel of a competitor's car with the back of yours, why all of a sudden stop or slow down and barely hit them at all?

10/29/2008 4:14:25 PM

lots of speculation in here. no doubt the cars can be a handful to drive. slick surface, welded diffs, shitty worn out steering/brakes, driving backwards, etc. all adds up. top that off with blown tires, screwed alignment, and broken/bent steering parts as the derby progresses and it's a real challenge. that's not really the main reason though. speaking as a driver, the truth is this:

1. you have people working together. they may be friends or from the same team, or, they may just be two similar cars that agreed to stay off eachother beforehand. for example, if you've got two really strong cars going into a heat, you benefit by working together to take out the "lesser" competition. or, as a weaker car it's always nice to keep the beasts off you until you have to face them.

2. friday night and all of saturday are just heats. there's a lot of people out there trying to get qualified for the state championship on sunday, which includes winners of any other derby in nc or va and the winners of any heat at the state fair. they want to win, but they don't want to tear their cars up so bad they can't compete in subsequent heats or the main event. also keep in mind they take the top two cars from each heat, not just one. basically, it's a lot of sandbagging going on simply put.

i don't really agree with those strategies or see the real point of them personally. it's not like there's big money at stake or anything. i just go balls to the wall the entire time. if i win, great... if i don't, i still probably had more fun than the winner. my only goal is to get wild and tear some shit up!

matt, when did you guys run? i was there saturday night. surprised you passed tech with the battery still in the engine compartment. even if it wasn't in the rules, as you learned the hard way it's imperetive to get your electrical stuff out of harms way. cheap marine battery box from walmart, cheap jumper cables to pirate for the wiring, a few fasteners, and you're done.

10/29/2008 9:25:48 PM

Ahh, now thats what I'm talking about. I was actually intending to ask you personally about this stuff b/c I know you do it

10/29/2008 9:28:46 PM

Quote :

"cheap marine battery box from walmart, cheap jumper cables to pirate for the wiring, a few fasteners, and you're done."

well that, and cut some holes in the floorboard, then hook a 2.99 ratchet strap through it so the battery box dosent jump up and sucker punch you when you get creamed.

10/30/2008 7:32:31 AM

donkey punched by a battery

10/30/2008 7:51:33 AM