Department 22: Demolition Derby

Exhibitors must adhere to the General Rules for the Harford Fair listed here.

Please see entry form below for a complete listing of rules and classes.

Demolition Derby Classes:

1. Pre-Show Power Wheels - ages 3-13, sign up in the Main Arena. Helmet required.
2. Youth Class - Youth ages 14-17 with a guardian. $35.00 entry fee
3. Compact Car Class - Driver must be 18 years of age. $35.00 entry fee.
4. '80s Wire Class - Driver must be 18 years of age. $35.00 entry fee.

Demolition Derby Rules

Drivers must be 18 years of age, with the exception of the Youth Class. Youth ages 14-17 may drive with a guardian in the vehicle. Driver must furnish his/her own car. All drivers and pit crew must sign a liability waiver before entering the pit area or track. All drivers must attend the driver’s meeting prior to race time. Any driver under the influence of alcohol or drugs will not be allowed to compete. No alcohol or drugs are permitted on the Fairgrounds.

GENERAL RULES:

1. These rules are only for the COMPACT, and YOUTH Classes. IF ANY VEHICLE IS A 4X4 OR AWD, ONE DRIVE AXLE MUST BE DISABLED. No jeeps, trucks, vans, Blazers, Suburbans, utility vehicles, flower cars, limousines, SUVs, or carry-alls allowed.
2. COMPACT CLASS: Any year foreign or domestic mass produced 2 or 4 door sedan or station wagon that is a front wheel drive k-member originally equipped car with a 4 or 6 cylinder engine is permitted. Additionally, any rear wheel drive car that came originally equipped with a 4 cylinder engine is permitted. Any questions, please call to clarify.
3. YOUTH CLASS: youth class will follow compact rules EXCEPT: bumper must be a compact bumper or 1980 and new style.
4. all cars must have an identifying number or slogan (aka) displayed on each side and the roof. The numbers must be large enough to be seen from the announcer’s booth.
5. STOCK MEANS STOCK! These vehicles are to be considered stock unless specifically mentioned in these rules. No altering, swapping, welding, or manipulating parts unless specifically mentioned.
6. Drivers must hit a live vehicle every 60 seconds.
7. Drivers are required to wear a DOT approved helmet and safety glasses/goggles or face shield. Drivers must also wear full length pants and footwear that completely covers feet (no shorts or sandals, for example).
8. Safety is our first priority while on the grounds. There will be no tolerance of unsafe acts. Conduct of a driver or crew member can disqualify the driver and car from the event.
9. All decisions of the judges are final. Please call Scot Wallace at 610-781-7931 or Mark Benjamin at 607-215-2149 for any rules clarification and questions.

STRIPPING:

1. All unnecessary glass, plastic, chrome moldings, mirrors, emblems, and flammable materials must be removed. No broken windows in doors.
2. The car must be clean and free of loose debris in the driver’s compartment and the trunk.
3. All airbags must be completely removed. Drain air conditioners and associated rubber hoses must be cut or removed prior to arrival at the track.
4. All trailer/towing hitches must be removed.

CAGES AND DRIVER PROTECTION:

1. Cage bars must be sheet metal to sheet metal. Bars must be single bars, not stacked or double. All components of the cage must be at least 4” from the center of the firewall AND floor at one point including transmission and driveshaft tunnels. The rear bar may not be any further back than where the kick panel meets the bench seat. Front bar may not contour the body. It must run straight across. All cage bars may be no bigger than 5”x5” except side bars. Side bars may be c-channel up to 8”. Side bars cannot go past the firewall or past the center of the rear doors. Side bars may not be INSIDE of the doors. If side bars are not used, mounting plates not exceeding ¼”x8”x12” may be used on the ends of the seat bar and dash bar. All bars MUST be inside the driver’s compartment except if a roof/halo bar is used. Roof bar must come off your rear seat bar or door bars (max. 5”x5” bars or 8” c-channel). Roof bar must go straight across. Roof bar may be bolted or welded to the roof only. Halo bars may not have any tip outs. Non-door past cars may weld 1 post to each side of the car, centered on the door seams, 4”x ½” max. with no more than 4” extending down the door or onto the roof.
2. TWO window shield bars or chains may be attached from the roof to the cowl area on the front window shield area only to protect the driver. Minimum size 4” wide by ¼” thick bar OR 3/8” chain. May not extend more than 4” on roof and cowl. This may not be used as a strengthener or to keep a car from bending. No rear window bars allowed.

FUEL TANK AND BATTERIES:

1. ORIGINAL FUEL TANKS MUST BE REMOVED COMPLETELY if located behind rear axle. Any unused fuel tanks must be removed.
2. Metal fuel cells or approved marine style metal tanks are required when mounted inside of car. No gas or plastic tanks. Minimum capacity of fuel tank permitted is 10 gallons. Any type of liquid fuel may be used. Any fuel leaks will disqualify car from participating. Please use secure leak proof fittings and good hose clamps and make sure they are tight.
3. Tanks must be located behind the front seat and must be securely fastened with chains, bolts, or both. ZIP SCREWS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE. It you choose to use a frame for the purpose of mounting your gas tank, it must be either mounted to the rear seat bar OR bolted to the floor sheet metal (no combinations). All fuel tank frames/mounts may be no wider than 24” and must start a minimum of 4” away from vertical sheet metal on both used and fresh cars. All parts of a cage mounted fuel tank mount/frame must be at least 4” above floor that is below said fuel tank frame/mount. Additionally, fuel tanks may not be used as a technical advantage on a vehicle.
4. All fuel tanks should be covered with a rubber mat, a metal cover, or both.
5. You may run an electric fuel pump, but it must have a kill switch that is clearly marked.
6. Two batteries per vehicle are allowed. Batteries must be mounted securely to the passenger side floorboard and covered with a rubber mat. We recommend metal frames bolted or welded to the floor or chained. Do not use zip screws or rubber straps.

BRAKES AND STEERING:

1. A working hydraulic brake system is required. You must exhibit the ability to stop. Any losing their brakes during an event will be disqualified.
2. Steering may be altered from the steering box to the steering wheel.

TIRES AND RIMS:

1. No studded tires. No liquid or concrete filled tires. Any ply rating, foam filled, doubled, etc. will be allowed. All wheel weights must be removed, including on the inside of the wheels.
2. Valve stem guards, variable lug centers, full weld in rim centers, and bead locks will be allowed.

BODY AND FRAME:

1. ALL BODY MOUNTS MUST REMAIN IN STOCK LOCATIONS. If OEM body mounts are used, the portion of the OEM mount between the frame and body cannot be altered including the metal cone inside of rubber mount. If you chose to replace OEM body mounts, the OEM mounts may only be substituted with an actual rubber hockey puck (no homemade plastic or metal spacers allowed). They must be positioned in the original location and with the same intent as the factory installs them, but bolts may travel through the top of floor. BODY MOUNT BOLTS MAY ONLY BE REPLACED WITH BOLTS NO LONGER THAN 5/8”x8” LONG. A washer, no larger than 4”x4”x1/4” may be placed on the top (inside car where bolt sticks through floor) and bottom of body mount bolts inside of frame. No welding washers to car body or frame. DO not add or relocate any body mounts and/or bolts. K-member and subframe mounts will be considered body mounts. Maximum size of k-member or subframe bolts permitted is the OEM size for that vehicle. Compact cars with subframes and full size subframes and pinchframe cars may replace OEM mounts with hockey pucks. Please call if you have any questions regarding the body mount rules.
2. Notching and pre-bending will be allowed. Do not weld notches back together. Wedging and lowering of trunk area will not be allowed. Trunk lids may be cut or bent to tuck. Quarter panels and tail light panel must remain vertical. Fenderwell sheet metal may be cut or rolled for clearance purposes and may be bolted back together in 5 spots use 3/8” bolts on each opening.
3. Front frame may NOT be shortened past the front of the factory core support location and core support MUST be bolted in the factory location.
4. Do not paint or undercoat frames inside or out. Do not grind or buff frames. No frame shaping/manipulation in front of rear humps is allowed. No welding of frame seams unless cleared with Scot Wallace (610-781-7931) or Mark Benjamin (607-215-2149).
5. Any frame/unibody/rocker panel/body panel, etc. may be drilled to scope inside if deemed necessary for inspection. All rear inner decking panels must be removed from station wagons.
6. Patching and rust repair to body and/or frame will be allowed only if cleared in advance by Scot Wallace (610-781-7931) or Mark Benjamin (607-215-2149) and may require pictures before and after any repair.

HOODS, TRUNKS, DOORS:  

1. Hoods must have at least a 10”x10” hole near the center for fire personnel access. Hood/trunk cutout bolts may be used (max. 12 per hood/trunk, no larger than 3/8” bolts, and bolts must only be placed around perimeter of hole). If you are using engine driven plastic fan or clutch type fan, hood must cover fan and extend 10” past fan blades. Hood may be secured in 8 spots with chain (3/8” max.), wire, and/or bolted (max. size 3/8”) through angle iron (max. size 2”x2”x4”x1/4”). Chain or wire may wrap around the bumpers. All hoods MUST open on stock hinges or be removed completely for inspection regardless of cutout size. Factory hood latches must be removed.
2. EACH door and trunk lid/tailgate may be secured in a total of 8 places of your choice on each panel by welding metal plates (4”x4”x1/4” max.), chain (3/8” max.), #9 wire, and/or banding. ONLY THE DRIVER’S DOOR MAY BE FULLY SEAM WELDED OR SKINNED WITH 1/8” MAX. STEEL (MAY NOT OVERLAP DOOR SKIN PAST DOOR SEAM) for safety purposes (4”x1/4” straps max.). NO inside seams may be welded. If trunk lid cannot be fully opened for inspection, a 10”x10” inspection hole MUST be cut in trunk lid.
3. All body seams must be visible for inspection, unless it is a pre-ran car that is bent or a fresh car that is prebent.
4. Unlimited 9 wire is allowed to be used to prepare car for feature after a car qualifies in heat. If at any time, the 9 wire used is deemed unsafe by track officials, we reserve the right to shut the vehicle down for safety measures. Decisions of the judges are final.

BUMPERS:

1. Any year OEM car bumper us permitted. You may cut or bend bumper ends for clearance. Excessive size of number of bolts and/or washers will have to be removed completely (please call with questions prior to show). You may weld inner and outer bumper seams together. NO ADDITIONAL METAL MAY BE ADDED IN OR ON BUMPERS OR MOUNTS. Please call head official if any filler is needed to mount bumpers to mounts or frame (any exceptions must be approved prior to the show). Bumpers must retain all factory holes. -YOUTH CARS MUST USE COMPACT OR 1980 AND NEWER STYLE BUMPERS.
2. Brackets must be used in their STOCK manner and may not be altered in any way. Bumper brackets may only be welded to the first 6” of frame. Any part of bracket welded on past the 6” will have to be COMPLETELY removed. If a non-factory equipped bumper bracket or bumper stock is used, no welding and/or bolting will be allowed after the first 6” of the frame. For mounting bumper purposes only, you may run on 5”x5”x1/4” plate on each frame rail to mount a bumper. Plate may be welded to the side of the frame but must be attached to the bumper. Plate may not be any further back than 5” on the frame rail. No additional metal may be used. You may weld bumpers solid to shocks, brackets, and frames. We don’t want bumpers falling off. No homemade bumper shocks will be allowed. Bumper shocks must remain in one piece and be attached to the bumper.
3. Bumpers MAY be chained (3/8” max.) or wired to car body in four places. If chains or wire pass through hood or trunk, they will be counted as tie down spots. No welding bumpers to bodies (only exceptions must be cleared by the head judge prior to any welding).
4. Any factory non-bumper stock equipped vehicles may add 2 unaltered OEM style bumper shocks to mount bumper.

ENGINES, TRANSMISSIONS, AND DRIVE SHAFTS:

1. Engine and transmission swapping between manufacturers is allowed. Do not strengthen frames or crossmembers with mounts. Motor mounts/cradles may be bolted or welded to crossmember ONLY. One engine chain per side may be used. The chain may be bolted to a factory hole in the frame OR wrapped once around the frame only (not welded) OR one link on each side may be welded directly to engine cross member or k-frame only. If bolting, it can NOT act as a pin through the frame. A factory transmission crossmember must be used but may be altered in center for transmission mounting purposes only (4” wide x 12” long x ¼” thick max.).
2. Any car with a factory aluminum cradle and rack and pinion steering can NOT swap cradles and factory rack and pinion steering must be used. If lower engine cradle is used, it MUST be mounted to the aluminum cradle ONLY.
3. Aftermarket shifters, gas pedals, ignition switches, drive shafts (slider), suspension shocks, transmission coolers, electric fans, lower engine cradles, pulley protector, and throttle linkages are allowed. Pulley protector may not be used in any way to strengthen the car and cannot be used as a motor mount or connected in any way other than to the engine cradle.
4. Distributor protectors and transmission braces are NOT allowed. Aftermarket transmission bellhousings and tailshaft housings are NOT allowed.
5. Water only in cooling system. Please drain antifreeze prior to arrival at the track. No solid mounted metal engine fans allowed. All cooling fans must be under the hood. No external radiator guards/protectors. A piece of expanded metal or screen may be used between radiator and cooling fan under hood.
6. Exhaust may exit under the car of straight up through the hood. Some type of air cleaner may be used. No open carbs will be allowed.
7. All holes in the firewall MUST be covered by tin, heavy rubber, or a fire resistant material.

SUSPENSION AND REARS:

1. Cars may use a rear-end provided it is from a car (5 lug or less). Aftermarket axle shafts are permitted. No added braces or axle-savers allowed on rear-end housings. Any remnants of prior rear end braces must be COMPLETELY removed.
2. Front suspension may be raised or locked by using torsion adjustments, spring spacers, a metal rod (1” diameter max.) from the top of LOWER control arm to BOTTOM of vehicle’s frame (no chains) OR front shocks may be replaced with 1” threaded rod in the stock shock location, no combinations allowed. If you use the 1” thread rod option, nothing can be welded which includes any washers and/or nuts. If rod option is used, rod may not overlap side of frame. Front control arms and spindles may be interchanged between manufacturers, provided no extra metal or welding is added to frame of vehicle. Ball joints must be OEM or equivalent.
3. Rear suspension may be locked or chained. One loop of chain (3/8” max.) per side in rear is allowed. Chain must extend straight up and down from rear-end housing to package tray area OR around frame rail. Chain may not be welded to frame. Factory leafed vehicles must have factory spring packs with correct step-downs (minimum 2” step). No more than tow replacement clamps will be allowed on each spring pack. They may not exceed ¼” x 2” x 5”. A factory trailing arm may be shortened to accommodate pinion angle with a maximum of 2” overlap, no additional material may be added. This includes Watts link style cars. ZTR brackets may be used. Tops MUST be bolted to the package tray ONLY, bottoms can be welded, but cannot be used to stiffen any part of the frame.
4. Rear shocks may be clamped or stuffed with rags OR may be sleeved with pipe but pipe cannot be welded to frame of vehicle. OEM shocks may be replaced with aftermarket shock replacements up to 1.5”x1.5” maximum square or 1.5” diameter if round. All shocks must be mounted in OEM location. NO TRUCK SUSPENSION PARTS ON CARS.

80s and Newer Wire Class – Rules

IF YOUR CAR IS OVERBUILT, YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO RUN THIS CLASS.

GENERAL:

1. Any 1980s or newer Foreign or domestic mass produced 2 or 4 door car or coil spring station wagon is permitted. No leaf spring station wagons. Minimum 107” wheelbase.
2. NO 4WD Jeeps, Trucks, Blazers, Suburbans, Vans, Utilities, Flower Cars, Limousines, or Carry-alls permitted.
3. All cars must have an identifying number displayed on each side and the roof. The numbers must be large enough to be seen from announcer’s booth.

STRIPPING:

1. All unnecessary glass, plastic, and chrome moldings, and flammable material must be removed. No broken windows in doors.
2. The car must be clean and free of loose debris in the driver’s compartment and the trunk.
3. All airbags must be removed. Drain air conditioners. Rubber hoses must be cut or removed prior to arrival at the track. All trailer/towing hitches must be removed.

BODY AND FRAME:

1. BODY MOUNTS MUST REMAIN STOCK AND IN STOCK LOCATION. However, up to four (4) mounts have bolts replaced if broken. They may be replaced by bolts no larger than ½”. Washers may not be larger than ¼”x3”x3”. They must be positioned in the same place and with the same intent as the factory bolts but may travel through the top of the floor. All factory spacers must remain in place and remain as intended by the factory. No welding washers to car body or frame. Do no relocate or add extra body mounts. FACTORY BUSHINGS MUST REMAIN IN PLACE AND INTACT. K-member bolts will not be considered body mounts. PATCHING – CALL WITH QUESTIONS – EXCESSIVE PATCHING WILL BE CUT!
2. Frame patching – you may patch rusted or bent frames. Max two (2) patches per car. Each patch must be no larger than 3”x6”x1/8” thick and retain all factory holes. Original frame being patched must be cut out, and patch must be exact fit with no overlap, stitch welding 1” on, 1” off only. You may not re-weld any frame seams. If creative patching creates reinforcement, it will be cut.
3. Body patching – you may patch rust using same thickness of metal as area you are patching. Two (2) inch overlap only on rusted areas. No overlapping of patches and no patching over factory seams. Body patching is limited to four (4) patches per car, max 12”x12” each. You MUST prove your rust! (Patches for safety issues, including floors, will be at official’s discretion – CALL AHEAD).
4. Notching and pre-bending will be allowed. Do not weld the notches back together. Do not “enhance” or crease body lines.
5. Wedging and lowering of trunk area will not be allowed. Trunk lids may be cut or bent to tuck. Quarter panels must remain vertical.
6. Do not paint or undercoat frames inside or out. Do not grind or buff frames.

CAGES AND DRIVER PROTECTION:

1. Driver’s door reinforcement is recommended and may be put on the outside or inside of the car. This is not to extend more than 10” in front of and 10” behind the driver’s door seams. Inside padding is recommended for the driver’s door. No sharp or protruding edges. A simple four (4) point cage is allowed.

HOODS, TRUNKS, AND DOORS:

1. Hood must have at least a 10”x10” hole on each side of the air cleaner for fire personnel. Hood/trunk cutout bolts may be used. Max 12 per hood/trunk, no larger than 3/8” bolts. If you are using engine driven plastic fan, hood must cover fan and extend 6” past the fan blade. Hood and trunk lids may be secured in four (4) places with two (2) wraps of #9 wire and/or banding. They may wrap around bumpers.
2. Only the driver side door may be welded shut with 3”x1/4” strap. All other doors may be wired in no more than two (2) spots per seam.

BUMPERS:

1. Any car bumper may be used. You may cut or bend bumper ends for clearance. Bumper brackets may be re-bolted by no extra bolts.
2. NO WELDING OF BUMPERS OR BRACKETS.

ENGINES, TRANSMISSIONS, AND DRIVESHAFTS:

1. Any engine or transmission may be used. Motor mounts may be welded solid and chained. Floor shifters may be used. Aftermarket gas or brake pedals are allowed.
2. Metal engine drive fans must be removed. One plastic racing style fan or one electric fan with plastic blades will be allowed per car.
3. Water only in cooling system. Please drain antifreeze prior to arriving at the track.
4. Two batteries per car are allowed. Batteries must be mounted securely to the passenger side floorboard and covered with a rubber mat. We recommend metal frames bolted or welded to the floor with chains. Please do not use zip screws or rubber straps.

SUSPENSION AND REARS:

1. Any five (5) lug car rear may be used. They may be locked. Suspension must remain stock. Axle tubes may not be reinforced.
2. Factory trailing arms must be used. Watts link may be converted. Must be bolted in without strengthening car or frame.

GAS TANKS AND GAS:

1. ORIGINAL GAS TANKS MUST BE COMPLETELY REMOVED.
2. Fuel cells or approved marine style tanks are required. No gas cans. Tanks must have secure, leak-proof fittings.
3. Tanks must be located behind the front seat and must be securely fastened with chains, bolts, or both. ZIP SCREWS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE! Tanks must be covered wit a rubber mat, metal cover, or both.

TIRES AND RIMS:

1. No studded tires. No liquid or concrete filled tires. Any ply rating, foam filled, doubled, etc. will be allowed.
2. All wheel weights must be removed, including on the inside of the wheels.
3. Valve stem guards and variable lug centers will be allowed.

STEERING:

1. Steering may be altered from steering box to steering wheel.

IF IT'S NOT IN THE RULES, IT DOES NOT MEAN THAT YOU CAN DO IT.  PLEASE CALL OR TEXT WITH ANY QUESTIONS TO SCOT WALLACE (610-781-7931) OR MARK BENJAMIN (607-215-2149).

ALL DECISIONS OF THE JUDGES ARE FINAL.