MOTORSPORT - Derby magnet for young fans

It seems there's something exciting about cars deliberately smashing into each other. The knowledge that there will be plenty of collisions at demolition derbies, usually makes for a big crowd at the Whangarei Speedway.
The club's publicity officer, Paul Thornley, says a different type of spectator makes the trip to the club's Port Rd track when a "demo derby" is on the programme.
"We always get reasonable numbers and that's because it draws a different kind of crowd and that's generally because it seems to appeal to younger people," he said.
The attraction of smashing up cars was especially popular the younger the person was.
"Certainly that's way it is in my family. My little kids like to watch things being demolished. They love it for some reason," he said.
Teenagers often entered the demo derbies and brought their friends along to watch. "It's a lot of fun to watch people go for it," Thornley said.
The demo derby may be the headline act at this Saturday's meeting, but the racing for the "real" speedway fans will revolve around the "Saloon Spectacular", headlined by the Real Deal Super Saloons and the Murray Tonks Limited Saloon Series.
There will be a travelling contingent for the latter two races, with drivers already confirmed from Mt Maunganui, but Thornley hopes there will be further interest from Rotorua, Huntly and Auckland.
"The usual suspects, drivers from Taipa, Kaikohe and Dargaville will also be coming so we are expecting some good racing," he said.
Racing starts at 1pm with racing in Quad Bikes, C Grade, Production Class and Youth Grade as well as Super Saloons and Limited Class, with the Demo Derby due to start after 4pm.