writer seeks some information

[dawnflemington]

I know this is derby related - however being this is a hypothetical question for a story I am working on - I thought I would post here...

I'm Dawn Flemington - a writer, who after reading this demolition derby board, was hoping to pick some brains for information regarding a demolition derby scene in the novel my husband and I are currently writing.

First off, let me state that I enjoyed reading this site. I love demolition derbies and grew up in northern Michigan at time where all the local county fairs had them as a main event on Saturday night. Though I am only a fan in the grandstands - your website gave me LOTS of inside information (that I, as a total novice) needed to make the derby scenes factual and believable. And because you guys did such a great job helping me understand, I am personally reaching out on this next leg of my derby scene...

My major character is in a derby heat. He has done a fair job and has a good chance of advancing to the big final. However, I want something to go wrong... I would like something dangerous to happen to the car (fire? explosion? sparks and smoke? <--- something that alerts the officials that's dangerous) My character will be trapped - perhaps he can't get out of the seat belt, or maybe he got hit hard enough that even with the helmet on, he is knocked out and has to be saved...

Now the kicker here is -- what ever happens - I need the car 'sabotaged' -- it has to be something that was done to the car in advance -- and after a few rounds of hits, the driver would be jeopardized... but I don't want something so severe that it will kill him (I don't mind if he has to go to the hospital - I just don't want him dead or severely disfigured by burns).

Would you have any off hand ideas what I could do to write such a scene? You don't have to go into much detail - just enough that it would be a believable thing to happen - and afterwards, the police could prove that the car had been tampered with before hand...

A little about myself (so you don't think I am a complete wacko here) - I've been a hobby writer for years. In 2009 I started writing book reviews and short stories which where published in various magazines and e-zines. Currently, I have yet to publish a full length book - but I am working on it! My husband decided to co-author with me and we have three works in progress - hoping to have them completed and handed into a publisher before July. We write alternative romance stories - with elements of either suspense or paranormal.

If you do not think you can help me with this request, could you point me in the direction of someone who you think might be able to help me with this particular? Again, I need something tangible enough for the reader to believe - and something that could be proven in the end that the car was indeed (or at least highly suspicious) tampered with...

Thanking you in advance,

Dawn Flemington - romancewiththeflemingtons.blogspot.com or [e-mail]

[Shorty Thompson]

Well Mrs. flemmington . There are so many thing that can happen during a heat that nearly anything is not unbelivevable . Good driver's go through their cars after every heat checking everything . However here's an idea for ya . After a frustrating heat , and barely making to the advance position the driver limps his car back to the pits where he normally has some and at times little help to get his car back to main. He gets into a dispute with 1 of his pitcrew members for becoming too intoxicated to perform his part . While the driver is distracted , the pit member loosens a tranny line enough to take hm out of action . During the heat the boiling tranny fluid hits a engine headers causing a fire . the fire has backflashed into the driver's compartment . True story . I actually seen this happen .

[dawnflemington]

Thanks Shorty... I like it...

I know so little about car engines - thank you for taking the time and suggesting this... it's a start I think I can work with.

Best to you and yours...

[derbydad]

Shorty is exactly right when he says thers not a whole lot that would be considered not believable in the demo derby world. Always expect the unexpected in this sport. Fire is probably the most common issue in derbies that can become dangerous in a hurry. Also, some drivers run different forms of alchohol, race fuel, etc that sometimes have different flash points than gasoline, and are sometimes much harder to detect at first. Ironically, Shorty & I are good personal friends, so I happen to know that he absolutely HATES fire LOL! The other thing to consider is what fan base are you trying to appeal to? Some over the top, flashy Hollywood scene will probably appeal to the general public, but would probably be a turn off to the real derby/race car/ car guy types. I hope this helps you, & good luck.

[Shorty Thompson]

Btw , if you need more , please don't be afraid to ask . John's right we've been personal friends for quite sometime now and certainly have seen our share of mishaps . Be more than happy to share , elaborate , or even be as realistic as necessary .