Mon, Jul 06 2009
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Published August 09, 2008 02:21 am - JEFFERSON — Why would anyone devote untold hours, energy and precious financial resources to do something they know probably isn’t going to last very long? A Karl Pearson column: It’s loud, muddy, violent... and a blast! Demolition derby competitors keep coming back KARL PEARSON Star Beacon JEFFERSON — Why would anyone devote untold hours, energy and precious financial resources to do something they know probably isn’t going to last very long?
There are some fairly simple answers. Many do it because they love the persons for whom they’re doing it. There’s nothing like the joy they see on the faces that have benefited from their act. Who knows, there might even be a thank you that results from it? Ladies, you know all about this. Why invest hours in preparing a sumptuous Thanksgiving meal, only to see it polished off in 20 minutes? Why spend hours sewing a dress or knitting a sweater, only to see it worn once or twice and then cast aside? Because it’s a labor of love. If they’re fortunate, they might receive some accolades for their efforts. There might be some applause attached. Perhaps there is some monetary reward that goes with it, but it isn’t much. It’s probably a bit of a stretch, but there is evidence the same elements apply to competitors in the Nationwide Demolition Derby at the Ashtabula County Fair. They do it because they love it, their families have signed on for the ride and they enjoy putting on a show for the crowds that pack the grandstands. Dean Clark of Pierpont has been competing in demolition derby at the fair since shortly after he earned his driver’s license. At 32 years old, the 1995 Pymatuning Valley High School graduate was in Friday’s competition with a 1984 Buick station wagon he bought for $250 as part of a seven-car package deal that cost him $900. He had also competed in Thursday night’s demolition derby. Clark has had some success over the years in demolition derby, earning “a lot of fourths and fifths in some of the features.” But it’s probably not anything approaching the amount of time and energy he invests in his vehicles. So why does he do it? “My kids just love it,” Clark said of his sons Wesley, 5, and Rodney, 16 months. “They’re sitting up there in the grandstand tonight. They just sit and laugh about it.” He’s definitely not in it for the money. “It’s all a hobby,” Clark said. “There’s definitely no money in it. I’m not in it for the trophies.” Neither is Adam Pilarczyk of Leroy, who was driving a 1974 Buick Electra Limited. He was in his third year of racing at the Ashtabula County Fair and his 10th year in the sport overall. “I just enjoy being in the garage trying to make the car stronger,” the 29-year-old said. “I like playing around in the mud (which the area where the demolition derby is held quickly becomes).” The thing is, Pilarczyk’s wife, Amanda, probably loves the sport nearly as much as he does. How much, you ask? Consider the following: “This car cost $500,” she said. “I bought it for his birthday off of eBay. We drove out to Illinois to pick it up. 
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