RC Demolition Derby brings community together – Fairfield Daily Republic

DIXON Little remote controlled cars spun, rammed and flipped over on a dirt track Saturday, all for a good cause.

The inaugural RC Demolition Derby is one of the biggest fundraisers the Rotary Club of Dixon has hosted in a while. It brought out hundreds of people who not only volunteered but enjoyed watching the event.

The goal really is to have fun, said Kevin Johnson, president of the Rotary club. We also hoped to raise some money.

He estimated that they raised between $5,000 to $10,000 with the food vendors and dunk booth. The money will go toward scholarships for Dixon High School students and other local organizations.

The idea came from watching demolition derbies, but Johnson realized that could lead to some injuries, which was not the idea at all. He saw RC demolition derbies on the internet and thought that might be something that would work.

Mike Hamilton, Dane Besneatte and Steve Beeman dug a track at the Chamber of Commerce parking lot, which has some dry dirt areas.

The goal is to do as many moves as possible and not have your car flip over, Johnson said.

Children from the community came out with their cars. Some practiced for days to learn how to control them. The total number of participants was 53 people.

Natalie Nielsen, 7, of Folsom came to spend a few days with her grandmother and joined the event.

I wore out my battery last night, so when we came down today it was dead, she said.

But that was quickly fixed with a new battery and her gold and purple polka dot RC car was ready to go.

Her grandmother, Debra Dingham, who also was at the event as a representative for Remax Gold Johnson Group, couldnt keep a smile off her face.

I am having so much fun, she said. I think watching the kids is my favorite part. They are having such fun.

She pointed out the center of the track with the pit of death, which no car should be able to get out of but they were leaving.

This is a first on so many levels, Dingham said.

The U.S. Army brought a climbing rock for the first-time derby, which will not be the last, she thinks.

Its going to come back next year, bigger, she said.

The grand prize for person with the most points was $1,000 and they had nine $100 prizes, she said.

Volunteers came out to serve food. Women from the Kiwanis offered to paint faces and any tips went toward the clubs fundraiser.

This is going to double each year and just get better and better, Dingham said.

Reach Susan Hiland at 427-6981 or [emailprotected]

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RC Demolition Derby brings community together - Fairfield Daily Republic