It didn’t take much for Kyle Strzesinski and Levi Anderson to get hooked on the Demolition Derby.
A staple of the Monroe County Fair, the Demolition Derby returns for its annual Tuesday night show at this year’s county fair, sanctioned by the Temperance-based Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA).
Similar to last year, there will be one show starting at 7 p.m. It will include derbies for youth power wheels, semi-stock cars, modified class and a compact car exhibition event.
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Strzesinski, from Ida, and Anderson, from just across the border in Ohio, are first-time entries into the derby and can’t wait to feel that first hit — either one they are delivering or one they are receiving.
“Hopefully delivering,” said Anderson. “I’m excited. I don’t have a whole lot of strategy right now. I’m just going out there to have fun.”
Anderson and Strzesinski are both involved due to Kyle’s brother, Ryan, who talked them into it.
“My dad used to do the derby a long time ago, but got out of it,” Anderson said. “I’ve always watched the derbies and I’ve been interested in being part of it. I figured it was time. I talked to a few people about it, got a car and we’re going to do it. I’m going to build a car for next year.”
Anderson has been working on the car off and on since the end of March. A few adjustments remained last week but he thinks the car is good to go.
“I’m going to go out there and try and hit someone as hard as I can,” he said. “I’ll see what I can do this year and get ready for next year.”
Strzesinski, 21, knows it’s his first time but he’s hoping to pull off a shocker and win.
“Perfect scenario will be me making it to the feature and win it all,” he said. “You can always hope.”
He and Ryan will have similar paint schemes. Ryan will have the number 01x on his door while Kyle will be piloting the No. 83.
“My dad wanted to help a little bit,” he said. “I let him pick the number.”
Kyle has had some advice.
“They’ve all given me advice on what I should do, who I should go after. We have a little plan together. “It’s just sort of ‘make yourself known,’ but try and save your car so you can make it to the feature.”
Lot of family will be there watching. Several of them helped with some piece of getting the car ready.
“We all live in Ida and a lot of family members will be coming,” he said. “We’ve got friends that will jump in here or there. There are always people willing to lend a hand.”
The Demolition Derby annually is one of the biggest attractions for the fair. It’s often made up of second, third and even fourth generations of participants. Last year, the Derby celebrated its 50th annual event. Joe Nash was the feature winner.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Friends ready to give Monroe County Fair Demolition Derby a try
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