Destruction Derby smashing things up for Spicewood VFD
DANIEL CLIFTON • PICAYUNE EDITOR
SPICEWOOD — After 21 years, the Spicewood Volunteer Fire Department and EMS still loves a good smash-up.
Of course, we’re talking about the department’s 22nd annual Destruction Derby.
“I think when we held that first one, none of us knew what to expect,” said Donna Wall, the SPVD and EMS secretary. “I’m not sure people coming to the first one knew what to expect either. But it’s grown into our most popular and probably most important fundraiser.”
This year’s derby is Sept. 20 at the fire department, 9805 Texas 71 in Spicewood. Gates open at 4 p.m. with the destruction derby starting at 6 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and younger. Tickets are available at the gate.
The first derby drew several hundred people, but Wall said the event now brings in 2,500 to 3,000.
The number of competitors has increased over the years as well. During the early registration period, Wall said 20 drivers had already signed up, which was higher than expected for pre-registration. Even if the drivers miss early registration, that doesn’t mean they’re shut out.
“Oh no, they can show up and register the day of the event,” Wall said. “We usually get several more on the day itself.”
If you haven’t figured it out yet or never heard of one of these, the main goal of a destruction derby is for drivers to try and knock the other opponents’ vehicles out of commission. The last car moving wins the heat and eventually the entire event.
The drivers follow specific rules when it comes to their vehicles, and safety officers inspect each one the day of the race.
“We get drivers from Houston, Dallas, Marble Falls, Spicewood, Cottonwood Shores, Burnet, San Antonio and just all over Texas,” Wall said. “It’s one of the few around, so people know they can come here and drive in it or just enjoy watching the drivers try to hit each other’s cars.”
A rain-out date, if necessary, is scheduled for Sept. 27.
Go to spicewoodvfd.com for more information.
daniel@thepicayune.com