Demolition Derby and Autocross Event
July 5th, 2025 from 7 pm to 12 am
Venue:
Rush County Fair
1299 Park Rd W,
Rushville, IN 46173,
Demolition Derby and Autocross Event Details
Date: Saturday, July 5th 2025
Location: Rush County Fairgrounds Raceway
Time : 7:00 pm – until end
General Admission: Adults $10, Children $5
Pit Admission: $20 ALL AGES
Event Overview: Demolition Derby and Autocross Event at Rush County Fair
The Demolition Derby and Autocross event is a type of motorsport action usually held at country fairs and festivals. The competition involves drivers hammering their vehicles against each other. The last vehicle which is still operational is the winner. It’s a test of driving skill, strategy, and vehicle durability, often taking place in an arena or field. The event is a popular attraction at many fairs and festivals, and is known for its chaotic and destructive nature.
The competitions have different sets of rules, it is often pertaining to how much welding can be done and the class of the vehicle like for example compacts, trucks, minivans, full vans, and newer cars. Most competitions require the driver to be above 16 years old. The drivers should have a seat belt and a helmet.
Some rules require some drivers to have roll over bars and cages inside the vehicle. The rules usually allow the drivers to crash into another vehicle every two minutes. If not, they can be labeled as sandbagging and they can be disqualified. Hitting another driver in the door intentionally can also make a driver disqualified.
Here’s a closer look:
The primary goal is to disable the other competing vehicles by ramming them with your car, while also protecting your own vehicle from damage.
Drivers must avoid hitting the driver’s side door, where the driver is located, and often focus on hitting the front of other cars to disable their radiators or steering. Cars must move forward and in a specific direction (usually counter-clockwise).
Older, often pre-1980s cars are commonly used due to their availability and affordability. These cars are typically modified with safety features like roll bars and strengthened frames.
Demolition Derbies are known for the loud crashes, the flying debris, and the excitement of watching cars battle it out until only one remains operational.
Competitors range from casual participants driving their commuter vehicles, to dedicated competitors driving purpose-built cars with special tires. There are classes accommodating varying degrees of car modification, as well as classes specifically for women and children. Many events are open to spectators. Many local car clubs offer autocross novice driving schools to help drivers feel comfortable before a regular event.
Course:
Courses are temporary and defined by traffic cones. They are designed to test a driver’s ability to handle the car through a series of turns, slaloms, and other maneuvers.
Drivers navigate the course one at a time, and their time is recorded.
Autocross emphasizes precision and car control, as drivers must navigate the course accurately and efficiently to achieve the fastest time.
Autocross is considered a relatively safe form of motorsport due to the low speeds and the use of cones to define the course.
Autocross is a relatively inexpensive way to get involved in motorsports, with many events open to various types of cars.
Demolition Derby and Autocross Event – All You Need To Know
While rules vary from event to event, the typical demolition derby event consists of five or more drivers competing by deliberately ramming their vehicles into one another. The last driver whose vehicle is still operational is awarded the victory. In demolition derbies, serious injuries like whiplash are rare, but they do happen. Thus, drivers are required to sign a waiver to release the promoter of an event from liability.
The part of the vehicle used to ram opponents varies. Some drivers use both the front and rear of the vehicle to ram the other competitors, while others tend to use only the rear end of the vehicle to protect the engine compartment from damage
On the other hand, Autocross is a type of sports which involves timed runs through a course often marked by traffic cones spread over a large paved or tarmacked area. Drivers compete individually against the clock, rather than directly against each other. It’s a competition focused on car control and precision rather than outright speed, with an emphasis on safe, low-cost participation.
For more information, visit Rush County Fair and stay connected for updates on Demolition Derby and Autocross Event and other racing events, pricing, and more.
