NP demo derby driver looking forward to county fair crashes

A week ago, he said the likelihood his truck would be ready for the Scott County Fair’s demolition derby was 50-50. Sunday, July 21, the odds had improved to 70-30.

Corey Fehler is looking forward to crashing into someone. Just for fun. The New Prague resident is preparing a 1999 Ford F250 for the trucks category of the derby. He’s made the vehicle as stiff as possible within the context of the rules. His work has addressed the truck’s engine, its transmission, the wheels and frame. He’s acquired nearly all the parts and equipment he expects will be needed to have the truck ready to go. The challenge will be if the existing equipment works properly, he said.

The work keeps him in his shop until late at night and into the early-morning weekday hours and on weekends. Is it worth it?

“I’ve been trying to figure that out myself for years,” he said.

Fehler will be one of dozens of demolition derby competitors in six different classes. The competition begins at 6 p.m. Saturday, July 27, in the fairground’s grandstand.

Fehler grew up in Rosemount. He has been attending demo derbies since he was a youngster. He entered his first demolition derby in 2013. As a welder accustomed to fabrication, he’s self-taught on the preparation of a vehicle. He’s crashed vehicles in derbies at the Dakota County Fairgrounds, in New Ulm, Cannon Falls and elsewhere. Fehler expects Saturday will be his first visit to the Scott County Fair.

From a financial perspective, demolition derbies are a lose-lose activity. Fehler knows he won’t really cover the costs of acquiring the truck, parts, his time, and the entry fee. That’s not the point, he said. His hope is whatever damage the truck endures is...

To see more on this story pickup the July 25, 2024 print edition of The New Prague Times.