Clinton County Fair Derby Makes the Move to Saturday Night
For the first time in recent memory, the Clinton County Fair Demolition Derby will be held on a Saturday night — and organizers say the change could make the July 11 event the best-attended derby in years.
The derby for the Clinton County Fair is set for Saturday, July 11, at the Clinton County Fairgrounds in Frankfort. The 7 p.m. start is a deliberate departure from the event’s traditional Sunday night timeslot, a shift that promoter Chase Thompson says removes one of the biggest barriers to participation.
“You don’t get those people that are going to go to work on Monday,” Thompson said during a Monday morning interview on WILO’s Party Line. “Saturdays are definitely fun. I think we have a little bit of an advantage with being able to bring cars in.”
Inspection opens at noon. Grandstand and pit passes are available, with pricing unchanged from prior years.
What’s at Stake
Prize money this year is substantial across all classes. Full-size cars compete for $1,500, $500, and $200. Compact cars offer the same $1,500 top payout with places paying $500, $200, and $100. Full-size street stock and street stock compact classes also carry multi-place payouts, with top prizes of $1,000.
Youth compact drivers compete for $500 first, $200 second, and $100 third place. All payouts are guaranteed based on a minimum of five cars per class. “I think we do a great job,” Thompson said of the fair’s prize structure. “That’s pretty common for a bigger county fair.”
More Than Bumper Cars
The derby is a far more complex enterprise than many spectators realize. Competitors in the modified full-size class can spend $1,000 or more on safety metal alone, and high-performance engines can run $10,000, with transmissions adding $3,000 to $4,000 on top of that.
“The engineering that goes into it would actually blow you away,” Thompson said. “It’s not just throw everything in, bolt it in, weld it in and pray — everything is planned out to make that car bend in particular spots.”
For those looking for a lower-cost entry point, street stock classes limit engine modifications and keep builds more affordable. Compact unibody cars are currently producing the strongest field numbers because they are easier to find.
“You can’t take anything away from the compact guys,” Thompson said. “They’re the ones bringing the most numbers right now.”
Youth Classes and Power Wheels
Youth divisions are open to drivers ages 10 through 16 who have not previously competed against adults. The popular Power Wheels class for young children returns as well. Power Wheels guardians must register their child in advance.
Thompson said the youth classes typically run first, and if a young driver is eliminated, a parent may re-enter the same car.
A Second Local Opportunity
Thompson also announced he is promoting the Boone County Demolition Derby again this year — scheduled for August 1 — giving area drivers a second event under the same rule set as Clinton County.
Drivers interested in competing can find rules and registration information at hammerincpromotions.proboards.com or through the Hammering Promotions page on Facebook.
The Saturday night format, combined with competitive prize money and multiple classes, sets up what Thompson expects to be a strong showing on July 11. “My hope is always that these cars put on a good show and give the spectators what they’re looking for,” he said.
“They’re looking for big crashes.”
