Demolition Derby Cars »

No sport matches the metal-smashing excitement of a demolition derby. Learn about how this sport got its start, and what it has become today. Discover how drivers modify their cars to stay safe during bone-crunching crashes.

Norah Piehl - Children's Literature

Profiling the most democratic of motorsports, this introductory look at the demolition derby phenomenon includes plenty of action-packed shots of demolition derby events, with color photographs of cars smoking, crashing, and even starting on fire. Because demolition derby has a short history and almost no rules, much of the text focuses on safety issues. Most interesting is a step-by-step discussion of how amateur drivers choose their cars and make simple, inexpensive modifications for optimum safety and derby effectiveness. A short glossary highlights key words from the text, and a bibliography and a FactHound link to Internet sites will lead readers to more information on the topic. This easy-to-read book may entice reluctant readers not only to enjoy learning about demolition derby but perhaps even to enter a competition themselves one day. Part of the "Wild Rides!" series on extreme motorsports. 2003, Capstone Press, Ages 8 to 12.