Twisted Metal demo crew returns

TIFFIN --- Twisted Metal Demo Crew returns to the 181st Seneca County Fair grandstand Saturday. Twisted Metal owner Dustin Stansbery said the event kicks off at 7 p.m. with an opening ceremony and the Power Wheels Derby for kids, followed by a Youth Class for children ages 11-16. The youth class, Stansbery said, requires a parent to ride along with each driver. Offering opportunities for kids at the derby helps "get people interested in it," he said. The Lawnmower Derby and Windshield Class events are next in the lineup, and Stansbery said both are a strong draw for Seneca County drivers. The evening's final events, the Full-Size Truck Heat and the Semi-Stock Heat are the highest paying classes of the derby, Stansbery said. Drivers "go all out on these two classes," he said. The entry fee for each event, except Power Wheels, is $50, and winnings vary per class. The Semi-Stock pot is $4,000, he said, with $2,500 to be won in the Full-Size Truck Heat. Stansbery said he has been involved with Twisted Metal for approximately 15 years, and "the sport has really evolved." Contrary to public perception, he said, demolition derby is "not just a hillbilly sport." Drivers from all backgrounds, including doctors and lawyers, have been involved, he said. Tickets to the Twisted Metal Demo Crew event are $20 and can be purchased at senecacountyfair.org.