Crashing for a Cause

It’s almost impossible to imagine that the 1973 Chevrolet Impala in Bill Taylor’s driveway was ever once a shiny, new “family sedan.”

The interior looks like something driven in a Mad Max movie — one lone driver’s seat surrounded by thick steel bars, bare metal floors and a single t-shaped shifter below the gutted-out dashboard. Every inch of glass has been removed and heavy chains are welded over the doors.

“It looks like a beast and it’s going to be a beast,” said Bill Taylor, also known as ‘Wild Bill’ in the demolition derby circuit.

Taylor, who lives in Redmond, is one of about 30 drivers who will descend on the Deschutes County Fairgrounds Juniper Arena on Father’s Day for the 46th Annual Lion’s Club Demolition Derby.

The annual crash-n-bash derby is a loud and fast nonstop afternoon of adrenaline surging, and happens to be the biggest fundraiser for the Bend Sunrise Lions Club, said Kevin Korn, Lions club member and one of the promoters of the derby.

Last year’s derby raised a little over $15,000, and it all went directly back into the community for the club’s sight and hearing project, said Korn.

“That’s one thing about Lions club — anything that is raised in the community stays in the community. It doesn’t go to administrative costs,” he said.

The Bend Sunrise Lions Club’s main focus is providing free hearing and vision testing for all ages, and glasses and hearing aids for those who can’t afford them. The club also funds scholarships, and many of its members are involved in local food banks and others serve as volunteer firefighters, said Korn.

The annual Father’s Day derby is always a crowd pleaser, attracting anywhere from 3,000 to 4,000 people, said Larry Peterson, longtime derby organizer and club member.

Peterson, who has worked in the pits at the annual derby for 25 years, is a familiar fixture with many of the drivers.

“I am the idiot with the flag in the middle of the mud hole,” joked Peterson.

That sounds like a dangerous place to be, but Peterson said he’s never been hit by a car.

“My drivers love me dearly … I’ve never been run over,” he said.

Peterson and several other Lions Club members inspect the cars thoroughly before the race to make sure they are modified under the official rules.

Modifications ensure driver safety, which is the number one priority. This includes removing all glass and rubber from the interior, removing standard fuel tanks and replacing them with a four-gallon can placed behind the driver’s seat, strapped down and often protected inside a roll cage.

Every car is required to have an emergency engine kill switch in the case of fire, and batteries are encased in rubber and double strapped to prevent any sparking, said Peterson.

“I take the safety very seriously,” said Peterson, adding that he has a reputation for running the muddiest derby on the west coast.

“The wet field controls the fire and speed,” he said.

Fire is a big safety concern, so volunteer firefighters are ready on the sidelines during the derby.

Almost all the drivers wear fire suits, and helmets are required along with gloves and high-top leather boots. If a driver shows up on race day and doesn’t have all the required safety equipment, Peterson explained that he will borrow whatever he can from another driver.

“Most of these drivers have great big hearts. They have cars in their blood and they do this for the charity of it. But they also like to win. It’s truly a good bunch of people,” said Peterson.

The Redmond derby attracts drivers from all across the state as well as a group from Nevada. They range in age from 14 to 72, said Peterson.

There are several different races, or “heats,” during the day. There are two large car races, a midsize race, a powder-puff race for women drivers and the all-time crowd favorite — mini cars. The mini car race is popular because the cars are small and can turn fast and dodge quickly.

The powder puff race is typically between five to 14 women, and, according to both Peterson and Korn, the girls are ruthless.

“They put the men to shame! And you can put that in the paper,” said Peterson.

Prizes are awarded, with the top prize of $1,500 going to the last car running in the Grand Slam.

It’s not unusual for entire families to get involved in demolition derbies, said Peterson.

As a boy growing up in the valley, Taylor helped his dad build demolition derby cars and after his father passed away, he wanted to continue the legacy. He’s been driving in derbies around the state for 15 years.

He is a skilled mechanic and modifies his own cars and won last year’s derby. His wife Patsy Taylor also got into demolition racing, and won third place in her very first race, and won first place the next two years.

“People don’t realize how much work goes into one of these cars. It’s not just busting out a few windows and throwing on some chains,” said Bill Taylor.

“It’s a money pit,” chimed in Patsy.

But both agreed that the adrenaline rush is worth it.

“Cowboys get eight seconds in the rodeo arena,” said Bill Taylor. “But most derbies generally run eight minutes before you’re done.”

Both the Taylors agreed that a key strategy to “staying alive” during a derby is to keep moving.

“If my motor dies, I’ve got three people pounding on me,” said Bill Taylor.

Bill Taylor has been roughed up a few times during a derby and came close to a broken arm, but hasn’t sustained severe injuries.

“I lost a tooth,” he said with a grin.

Patsy Taylor said she clears her mind, forgets about people and the car and focuses on aiming for the back wheels of her opponents while they’re rolling in hopes of breaking their axle.

“I feel really safe in what he builds for me, the adrenaline kicks in. I’ve never gotten hurt, so don’t have a really big fear factor,” she said.

Bill Taylor is passionate about building derby cars and racing, but for him it’s more than the feeling of victory.

“It’s for the kids. When I was a kid growing up, I got glasses from the Lions Club in the valley. It’s my opportunity to give back. There’s a not a lot of things I can do, so this is a good way for me to give back. It helps,” he said.