Thrills every second at Tioga County Fair’s demo derby nights

The demolition derby at the Tioga County Fair draws spectators of all ages, and for generations competitors have thrilled packed crowds in attendance at Owego’s Marvin Park. This year’s derby features qualifying heats on Wednesday, Aug. 8 with finals scheduled on Friday, Aug. 10.

New this year is a Team Demolition Derby scheduled on Thursday, Aug. 9. All three derby nights start at 7 p.m.

Also new at the fair this year, there is no separate admission to the grandstands to watch the derby. A $10 all-inclusive price includes gate admission and entry into the grandstand.

Early entry fee to run the derby is $25 and must be received on or before July 25. Registration on the day of the demo derby is $35. The registration fee covers the driver, and includes access to the pits and fair. The fee includes one helper.

A derby entry form with detailed information and regulations can be found at: www.tiogacofair.com/files/2018derbyentry.pdf.

Classes for the 2018 derby are – 1) Modified Compact for six and four cylinder vehicles; six cylinder cars must be front-wheel drive; no all-wheel drive or 4×4 cars will be allowed; 2) V8 1979 and older – run what you bring; 3) Stock v8 – 1980 and newer; 4) Stock compact – 4 and 6 cylinder; 5) Mini-vans and mini-trucks.

Modified and stock compact will each have a final this year. Payouts to be determined; the securing of funding and sponsorships for this year’s derby will be announced.

For additional derby rules, visit www.tiogacofair.com/files/2018derbyrules.pdf.

Derby organizer, Ken Tunnicliff, a 23-year veteran of derby action, ran his first derby at age 16. Although he occasionally gets behind the wheel, he now enjoys managing the event and watching his own son participate.

Tunnicliff shared that the Stock V8, 1980 and newer, was added to the line-up this year as a way to, “Bring people back to the derby that want to run V8.”

Tunnicliff hopes that this addition, along with some other positive changes, will make the derby even more exciting.

“Team derby is a new event this year,” Tunnicliff said, and explained that its concept is similar to what derby fans might see at other regional fairs, such as those featuring Road Rage Entertainment.

Tunnicliff hopes the three-on-three qualifier, along with extra rounds, and then a feature show where winner-takes-all will interest participants enough to schedule the event again in future years.  

Last year the derby drew about 70 cars on both nights, and it is Tunnicliff’s goal to draw as many as 120 over the course of the three derby nights.

Along with multiple payouts and awards, for the hardest hitter in a heat and feature run, Tunnicliff remarked, “We will be giving out Mag Dog trophies.”  

For more information about the Tioga County Fair, visit tiogacofair.com, or find them on Facebook at: Tioga County Fair, Owego, NY.

Questions about the derby can be directed to Ken Tunnicliff at (607) 242-3295.