Commissioners plan to crash demolition derby
For the final demolition derby of the year at the Greene County Fairgrounds, organizer Bob Croushore is anticipating ghouls, goblins and a few politicians. Dubbing it the first “Monster Mash Demolition Derby,” Croushore has recruited three county commissioners to participate in what he hopes will be an annual event. Greene County commissioners Scott Blair and Farley Toothman have signed on to participate as well as Fayette County commissioner Sean M. Cavanagh.
Croushore, a German Township supervisor and the promoter for the Greene County Fairgrounds, said he will keep his fingers crossed for Indian Summer. The event will be held Saturday beginning at 2 p.m. Anticipating that warm weather may not be on the horizon, Croushore said the event will be held “rain, snow or shine.”
What began as a quest to recruit a celebrity driver has turned into a competition that crosses political affiliations and county boundary lines. Croushore said Blair agreed to participate first, and wanted to challenge Cavanagh and then Toothman became involved.
“What you won’t do for politics,” Blair said. The only Republican commissioner in either county added that he is looking forward to his first demolition derby because it will give him a chance to hit other politicians.
“It ought to be fun. I’d do anything to draw a crowd at the fairgrounds,” Blair said.
While Blair is a novice driver, his Democratic counterparts have experience. Toothman said he has been in three or four derbies, although he is usually taken out first. Cavanagh said he had a similar experience when he “got smashed like a tin can in 10 seconds.” This time, both men are anticipating a different outcome.
Although Croushore said he is unsure if just the three commissioners will be placed in the arena alone to see who will be the champion or if they will participate in the heats, what they will be driving is certain. The men will drive vehicles that have been donated for the event. Blair will drive a 2-door 1976 Chevrolet Malibu. Cavanagh will drive a 4-door 1975 Chevrolet Malibu. And Toothman will drive a 1977 Chevrolet station wagon.
Toothman said he is looking forward to the challenge. “I haven’t been in a good accident in a long time,” he said. “I think it will be fun.”
In what could be considered fighting words, Toothman said Cavanagh should stay on his side of the river and keep the competition confined to Greene County.
Cavanagh said he is ready for the challenge. “These Greene County guys have turned this into a pre-election grudge match and I’ve accepted their challenge,” he said. Cavanagh said he may take it easy on fellow Democrat Toothman, but plans to really go after Blair.
Aware that he is “going behind enemy lines,” Cavanagh said he had to go to Greene County because the Greene County commissioners were afraid to come to the Fayette County Fairgrounds.
“I’m looking to come out of Greene County with a victory for Fayette County,” Cavanagh said.
Croushore, a demolition derby driver for 28 years and promoter for 16, is anticipating drivers from circuits including the Greensburg area, Indiana County, West Alexandria in Washington County, as well as Greene and Fayette.
He said there will be at least four qualifying heats and the feature event. Four drivers from each heat will participate in the feature event. When the feature event is down to the final three cars, the crowd will get to select a favorite.
Although he is anticipating between 75 and 100 cars, Croushore said if 200 come, it’s not a problem.
In addition to a $4,000 purse, prizes will be given for the scariest, prettiest and ugliest Halloween costumes. Other events include a bumper toss for adults and a wheel toss for kids. Although the event won’t begin until 2 p.m., the gates will open at noon. Cost is $7 for adults and kids under 5 get in free. Food and refreshments will be available.