Tag Archives: demolition derby

Brick of Mass Destruction

Last summer I spotted this brick at the NJ state fairgrounds and met the owner, Joe. He was preparing for the evenings demolition derby. Turns out he’s at it again this year with a 240 sedan. He’ll be competing at the Sussex Co. Fairgrounds on Sunday, Aug 7 and Monday, Aug 8th, both nights from 7:30-9, but he’ll probably be around on Sunday getting ready. Good luck Joe!

Here’s his rundown of the event last year, plus a gallery of pics:

This 240 wagon raced 3 times. 1st time disqualifed 4th place for an oil fire in the compact class, 2nd time disqualifed 4th place for a slight gas leak in the compact class and on the final race i raced the car among the six cylinder class of cars (intepids, luminas, bonnevilles, montecarlos, etc) and destroyed them getting a second place only due to an electrical short.

Black Death on Wheels

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This war-weary brick was preparing for an epic confrontation at the Sussex, NJ state fairgrounds a couple weeks ago. I wasn’t able to catch the evenings event but spoke with the owner, Joe, and found out this was his third demolition derby with a Volvo 240. He totaled his first 244 but this 245 lived to smash another day after an oil fire put him out in the middle of competition last year. He tells me he makes the entry fee by selling plastic interior parts to bricksters in Europe.

I tried to contact the driver last week to find out how he did but haven’t heard back. Joe, if you’re out there, send us a report!

Brick as Political Billboard

volvo-240-demo-derby

Way back in 2008, Illinois entrepreneur and demolition derby driver Keith Gray launched a campaign for Illinois State Senate against Terry Link. Under the theme “Demolish Politicians” Gray drove his 1990 Volvo 240 DL station wagon in the Lake County Fair Demolition Derby in July of 2008.

From Team America’s 10th District Blog:

“I’ve raced in the derby seven times, but this year it’s different,” Gray said. “I’m in the middle of my campaign for state senate, and I saw an opportunity to utilize my derby racing tradition to spread the message that Iâ€™m not doing this as a career politician or to gain political clout. Iâ€™m a normal guy who is sick of being taken advantage of by the Illinois political machine.”

volvo-240-keithgray-demo-derby

volvo-240-keithgray-demo-derby-after

He placed 3rd after busting the steering system and losing the ability to turn. His chariot lived to race another day, however, as the block, tranny and chassis went relatively unscathed. As for Keith Gray’s dreams of the Illinois Senate? He was defeated by Terry Link, who is now running for the office of Lt. Governor of Illinois.

BONUS: Anyone care to interpret the text written on the windshield in this photo?