A demo derby like this one begins at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 6 at the Sherburne County Fairgrounds in Elk River. It will raise money for charity.
by Joni Astrup
Associate editor
The largest demolition derby charity fund raiser in Minnesota kicks off Saturday, June 6 at the Sherburne County Fairgrounds in Elk River.
There will be a car show and swap meet from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. that day and the derby will begin at 7 p.m.
One hundred to 125 participants from seven states are expected to compete in the demo derby.
Tickets are available at Coborn’s in Elk River or at the gate. Admission is $12 for people age 12 and up and $5 for children ages 5–12. {snippet instory}
The Elk River Area Women of Today and R&R Total Destruction Promotions of Prole, Iowa are joining forces to put on the event.
Proceeds will go to:
•programs which provide for area foster children
•scholarships for Timber Bay youth for summer and after-school programs for at-risk youth
•Elk River’s Relay For Life for child cancer research
•community youth programs
“We want our community to be healthy and this is one way to make it that way,” said Sharon Robinson of the Elk River Area Women of Today. She said their goal is to raise about $10,000.
She said the Women of Today decided to do a demo derby fund raiser after a foster care child approached one of their members with the idea.
Robinson, who has a background in drag racing, said the idea excited her.
“Women like cars, too,” Robinson said. “It’s just been a fun ride.”
The demo derby will be run by R&R Promotions, which is putting on 42 shows in eight states this year.
Rob Baker of R&R Promotions said he became involved in this charity event after being referred to Robinson by local drivers.
“I think it’s a great thing,” he said. He particularly likes that the money raised will be used locally for kids.
He will bring in a crew to run the event, and said his job is to put on the best show possible for the crowd while raising money for charity.
About 70 percent of the drivers will come from within an hour’s drive of Elk River, he said.
“You’re going to see a lot of local people compete, but you’re also going to see a lot of what some people consider professionals, who travel all over,” he said. “We have a pretty good following.”
Drivers will compete in three classes: full-size cars 1980 and newer; full-size pickups; and compact cars.
A total of $17,500 will be paid out in prize money, believed to be one of the largest payouts in Minnesota.
A film crew from Nebraska will be at the demo derby to make DVDs of the event to sell.
Raffle tickets also will be sold at the derby.
Business sponsors are still needed. For more information, call Robinson at 763-257-4985.
For more information about the demo derby, go to www.randrpromotions.com .
