With a name like his, Rick Reid was born to race. It’s not hard to imagine the breathless commentary as the Sparwood man rips up the Fernie Lions Demolition Derby grounds, obliterating whoever dares stand in his way.
That’s exactly what Reid plans to do when he returns to defend his title in Fernie this weekend.
The owner of Mangled Radiators competes on the B.C. and Alberta circuit, and Fernie will be his fifth demolition derby this year.
“Fernie is a big show, you will not find a better crowd,” he said.
“There’s upwards of 3000 plus people, it’s been running for I believe close to 50 years, 20 of which I’ve been there. This year with first place prize money of $5000, we should see a lot of people from out of town.”
Reid is the son of a race car driver but it was his friends who inspired him to enter his first demolition derby.
“You go and help one guy then next thing you know, you’re hooked and you’re in it for 20-plus years,” he said.
At Reid’s workshop in Sparwood is an impressive display of trophies collected over his derby career.
He has spent an estimated 80-100 hours modifying his car – a 1974 Chrysler New Yorker, built fresh for the race.
“It’s a very competitive sport now and there’s more money invested in these cars than people realize,” he said.
“They’re not just junkyard throw togethers anymore, they’re modified race machines.”
All derby cars must have safety features, such as rollover protection and window bars, while helmets and safety glasses are mandatory for drivers.
Reid has never been seriously injured in a race but he still takes extra precautions with steel-toe boots and fireproof clothing.
He revealed his strategy going into Sunday’s race, which will be held at Railway Avenue from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“It’s always good to have a few buddies in there to help out in case you get hung up or stuck,” he said.
“Most of the time I go in I just kinda see what’s happening on the track, go with the flow.
“If the guys are driving hard, I drive hard. If they’re laid back, I’m laid back. But make good countable shots to break your competitor down.
“As far as that, there’s not a lot of strategy.”
More than 1000 cars have been pounded, pulped and punished since the Demolition Derby started in Fernie more than 40 years ago. The event is traditionally held over Labour Day weekend and this year is no different.
Gates open at 11. a.m. and the competition begins at noon, with categories for regular cars, small cars and pick up trucks.
Entry costs $10 for adults and $5 for youth, students and seniors. Children under 10 are free.
All proceeds from the Demolition Derby go to the Fernie Lions Club, with almost half a million dollars raised over the years.
For more information, visit Fernielionsclub.ca.
