The Chino Challenge Demolition Derby is a demolition derby that takes place annually on the second Saturday of July. It is held at the Chino Fairgrounds located in Chino, California. The event is hosted by Sunnyside Promotions and the most notable sponsor, M.K. Smith Chevrolet. The Dutch dairy rich community quickly turned this event into the premier Demolition Derby in California.
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Derby Rules
Before the derby begins, an auction car is brought out. Crazy patrons bid on a car that they themselves can race in the derby. The derby is then divided into three qualifier heats of 11 in which 6 cars qualify. A last chance qualifier then takes place to enter 6 more cars into the final heat. The final heat consists of 24 cars and is no holds bar wrecking game. The last car still running is declared the winner.
Safety
A 2-foot trench is dug between the fences and the track. Also, Chino, California fire personnel are on hand in the event of a fire. All drivers wear helmets and their cars contain either duct taped windows or a wire mesh insert. In addition, a yellow flag is attached to the car. As long as the flag is up, a car is deemed to be in the running and in the race.
Accidents
In the derby of 2001, a man was nearly killed as he was knocked unconscious and the derby was forced to a halt. Fire crews were forced to use the jaws of life to free the man after 1 hour in the car. He was rushed to a local hospital where he was treated for numerous bone fractures and a head concussion and released a week later.