MONROE - One man's trash is another man's treasure when it comes to searching across the country for a demolition derby car.
Racing at the demolition derby in the Green County Fair is a sibling rivalry for Jeromy Ballard and his brother, Jeff. Although the Ballard brothers are on the same team, they won't back down from a duel on the grandstand.
"We wouldn't mind the opportunity to hit one another," Jeromy said. "We would kind of like that, too."
Jeromy has competed in demolition derbies since 2000 and he is ready for the Demo Derby on Sunday, July 26, at the Green County Fair.
The Ballard brothers used to drive around and look for cars in barns that they could salvage.
Jeff Ballard said the best part of the demolition derby time is getting the opportunity to work on cars.
Building a derby car starts in the winter for the Ballard brothers. They usually buy a car from down south or find one by searching on the Internet. Jeromy always looks for a General Motors car built between 1971 and 1976.
"They are the most well-built cars with the thickest frames and gauge steal," Jeromy said. "Chevy 350 motors are the best derby motors to use."
If the car Ballard purchases is not drivable, the first task is using a skid loader to get the car back to Monroe. Then Ballard takes off the body and frame. He completes the framework for the derby car and ensures the motor and transmission are in top order. Then Ballard puts safety bars inside the car.
Ballard said it takes about 40 to 120 hours to complete the work on a derby car.
Jeromy Ballard will never forget being hit in the side door in a demo derby several years ago. Ballard responded like any competitive demo driver would.
"I blew my flames into his car door to let him know that I didn't like how he was driving," he said.
Jeromy is superstitious when it comes to the derby.
"I don't like anyone around my car the day of the derby," he said.
Reserved seat tickets for the demo derby go on sale today (July 20) at 8 a.m. for two demo derby shows at 4 and 7:30 p.m. on July 26. All seats are reserved. Grandstand tickets are $5. Bleacher seats are $3 and seats across the track are $4. Cash is accepted only. Checks and telephone orders are not accepted.
"The day after it's over, we look forward to next year," Jeromy Ballard said.
Racing at the demolition derby in the Green County Fair is a sibling rivalry for Jeromy Ballard and his brother, Jeff. Although the Ballard brothers are on the same team, they won't back down from a duel on the grandstand.
"We wouldn't mind the opportunity to hit one another," Jeromy said. "We would kind of like that, too."
Jeromy has competed in demolition derbies since 2000 and he is ready for the Demo Derby on Sunday, July 26, at the Green County Fair.
The Ballard brothers used to drive around and look for cars in barns that they could salvage.
Jeff Ballard said the best part of the demolition derby time is getting the opportunity to work on cars.
Building a derby car starts in the winter for the Ballard brothers. They usually buy a car from down south or find one by searching on the Internet. Jeromy always looks for a General Motors car built between 1971 and 1976.
"They are the most well-built cars with the thickest frames and gauge steal," Jeromy said. "Chevy 350 motors are the best derby motors to use."
If the car Ballard purchases is not drivable, the first task is using a skid loader to get the car back to Monroe. Then Ballard takes off the body and frame. He completes the framework for the derby car and ensures the motor and transmission are in top order. Then Ballard puts safety bars inside the car.
Ballard said it takes about 40 to 120 hours to complete the work on a derby car.
Jeromy Ballard will never forget being hit in the side door in a demo derby several years ago. Ballard responded like any competitive demo driver would.
"I blew my flames into his car door to let him know that I didn't like how he was driving," he said.
Jeromy is superstitious when it comes to the derby.
"I don't like anyone around my car the day of the derby," he said.
Reserved seat tickets for the demo derby go on sale today (July 20) at 8 a.m. for two demo derby shows at 4 and 7:30 p.m. on July 26. All seats are reserved. Grandstand tickets are $5. Bleacher seats are $3 and seats across the track are $4. Cash is accepted only. Checks and telephone orders are not accepted.
"The day after it's over, we look forward to next year," Jeromy Ballard said.