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| Bring on the destruction |
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| Written by Marc Aceves | Patterson Irrigator | |
| Wednesday, 09 July 2008 | |
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At a glance WHAT: Destruction Derby I: Traditional Turmoil WHEN: 7 p.m. July 28 WHERE: Stanislaus County Fair, 900 N. Broadway, in Turlock INFO: www.stancofair.com/entertainment/motorsports.html The Stanislaus County Fair’s bestial display of crunching metal has become a time-honored, can’t-miss hit.  READY TO RUMBLE: The 1978 Buick Grand Marquis (above) of Patterson resident Matthew Holloway gets a last-minute paint job for a little extra shine going into the Stanislaus County Fair’s demolition derby. Photo by Elias Funez/Patterson Irrigator “It’s the destruction. It’s something they can’t go see anywhere else,” driver Kyle Guido said of the derby’s appeal to fairgoers. “It’s controlled mayhem. The crowd loves destruction.” This year’s competition — sponsored by the Turlock Lions Club — is slated for a Monday night, July 28, and features eight competitors from the West Side, including Patterson’s Guido. The 19-year-old plans to bully other drivers in this year’s fair, using his entry — a 1963 Dodge Polara — to steamroll through the competition. Last year, Guido used a 1983 Town Car as his battering ram. “The ’60s cars are so much simpler,” he said. “I picked (the Polara) up at an auto wrecker in Modesto. It’s a definite step up from what I drove last year.” Guido has been working at a frantic pace to prepare his new ride, employing his usual team of friends and family to get him ready for the competition. “Right now, it’s a real team effort,” Guido said. “We’ve got people from other teams helping each other, and that’s what it’s all about. My car would not be in the shape that it’s in now if not for the camaraderie of the guys at my shop.” Still, it’s not the driving that grabs the attention of casual derby fans. What spectators spend hours waiting to see are the crashes.  Patterson’s Kyle Guido, meanwhile, is putting his trust in a 1963 Dodge Polara, after his 1983 Town Car got battered in last year’s smashup. Photo by Elias Funez/Patterson Irrigator It takes a certain person to do what Guido does. Not everyone was born with the passion to invest hundreds — maybe thousands — of dollars and months of labor in a car just to destroy it in a matter of minutes. “I’ve been working day in and day out for the past two or three weeks just trying to get my car together,” Guido said. “My car is pretty solid. I’m really looking forward to the fair and to seeing what it can do out there.” Despite the splashy carnage, serious injuries are rare, as contestants don fire suits and helmets and coat their cars’ interiors with foam padding. For the most part, injuries are limited to dislocated elbows and aching backs. Various rules, including a ban on smashing driver’s-side doors, help keep participants safe. The threat of disqualification aside, there’s ample reason to limit road rage. Wield your wheels like a wrecking ball, and it might be you who gets KO’d early. “It doesn’t make sense to go out and make crazy hits,” Guido said, explaining that contestants are likely to damage their own car as much as their target. Guido finished first in his heat at the fair in 2007 before settling for a top-20 finish in the finals of the Traditional Turmoil event. This month’s will be the young driver’s fourth career derby. “My finish last year weighs heavy on my shoulders,” he said. “I’ve got a better car this year, and it’s hopefully going to work for my benefit. “Everyone wants to win, of course, but I also do this just to have fun.” To reach Marc Aceves at the Irrigator, call 892-6187 or e-mail him at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
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