2 Best Decorated Cars will be selected.

(will not be eligible if in previous derbies) & must be based on the Theme of the Fair(See Above)

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Memorial Trophies Provided:

Winner of the Van/Truck Heat on Thursday by The Dennis Family*

Hardest Hit by The Petkovsek Family

Team Heat on Friday* presented with A Cory Pavlot Memorial Trophy

Special Sportsman Trophy donated by the Elthorp Family (both nights)

 

***Signup on Event Day *** -- Cars limited to 10 per heat

 Printable entry form HERE

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RULES & REGULATIONS

1. All drivers & mechanics must obey the rules & regulations set up by the Herkimer County Fair Association, Inc

2. Drivers and pit person must be 18 years of age & must show ID.

3. Only drivers and mechanics who sign the release will be allowed in the pit areas.

4. Officials reserve the right to accept or reject any applications.

5. The Fair Association will not be responsible for any parts, cars or personal property before, during or after the demo. All cars must be off the grounds by 9am on Saturday or the become property of the fair. There are no exclusions for removing cars-tow truck allowed to remove own cars-no crushers.

6. NO DRINKING of alcoholic beverages or drugs by anyone in the pit areas. The misconduct of a driver or crew member can disqualify the driver from event participation, before, after or during an event.

7. THERE WILL NO LONGER BE PRE REGISTRATION!!! EVERYONE WILL REGISTER THE DAY OF THE EVENT AND BE PLACED INTO A CLASS/HEAT AFTER IT HAS GONE THRU INSPECTION. THE REGISTRATION FEE HAS GONE UP TO ENSURE HIGHER PAYOUTS. REGISTRATION FEE WILL INCLUDE A WRISTBAND FOR THE DRIVER AND ONE PIT PERSON. EXTRA PIT PASSES WILL BE SOLD AT $25 PER WRISTBAND. NO EXCEPTIONS, NO EXCLUSIONS.

8. All cars/trucks/vans need to register and be inspected no later than 1 hr before the show. NO EXCEPTIONS!!

9. Any hardtop or station wagon allowed. No 4WD, limos, hearse, or X-framed or plastic cars allowed.

10. MINI VANS & TRUCKS WILL BE ALLOWED ON THURSDAY ONLY!!

11. All entries must have a number plaque on the roof of demo car. You can pick your own numbers.

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EVENT SAFETY

1. SAFETY BELTS, APPROVED HELMETS AND GOGGLES ARE REQUIRED AT ALL TIMES WHILE IN TH ESHOW RING. LONG PANTS ARE REQUIRED AND LONG SLEEVES ARE PERFERRED.

2. NO deliberate head-on or driver door hits.

3. No smoking in the cars while in the ring-no body parts outside of the car while in the ring. This means no one is to be sitting/riding on the outside of the demo car at any time!

4. A vehicle will be disqualified if the driver door opens, gas tank ruptures, or two fires occur, or if a helmet comes off during heats.

5. A 90 second time limit will be enforced. Competitive contact must be made within this time limit but only a 60 second time limit will be allowed on a second stall.

6. Out of bounds- when on or thru the cement barriers- if caught on barrier must shut off engine and break stick.

7. Cars must be turned off with a key or an on and off switch.

8. Any questions arising at the event not covered by the rules will be decided by the officials between heats.

9. No instant replay videos allowed to determine the outcomes 

 

CAR PREPARATION

1. ALL CARS MUST BE INSPECTION READY! Pit area back of fairgrounds limited.

2. Batteries: Allowed in the drivers compartment if covered by a metal box and bolted to the floor foward of the passenger seat or under the hood- not necessarily in original position-only one battery. No zip ties or zip screws.

3. Tires: Stock street tires – no Ags or studs- Any ply DOT street tires only- DOT marking must be visible.

4. Gas tanks: Regular, replaced with a tank, may leave in original tank but must add 2 additional straps or chains. Gas gauge must work to indicate 5 gallon limit. Same applies for diesel cars. OPTION- Gas tank can be installed in the back seat in the middle of the car if covered by at least 18-gauge metal box bolted down to floor- no fill neck visible.

5. Windshields optional-Wipers allowed on driver side only. If removed 2 steel bars must be mounted from the firewall to the roof.

6. Radiators: Must be in original position or be removed, as well as fan. Radiators must have water in them, no antifreeze.

7. Seats: Rear seats must be removed. Driver seats may be chained to prevent seats from folding. One cross bar is allowed behind the seat, running door to door- maximum 3”, to prevent seat from caving. Non- visible on the outside. Use heavy gauge round bar, at least ¾ inch.

8. Hoods: Locks, catches and springs must be removed. A chain must be installed so the hood can be lifted 12-18 inches in case of fire. Hood and trunk lids cannot be welded shut for inspection purposes but must be wired with at least 10 gauge or chained down after inspection. No trunk folding or creasing allowed. No rope allowed. There must be 12” opening in hood, in case of a fire.

9. Doors: Must be fastened shut using 10-gauge wire, straps, chains or spot welded, 2-3 inch every 10 inches. The driver’s door must be painted white or orange if the car is white. Driver door only can be white (or orange), no writing on driver door, leave blank.

10. Exhaust systems: Can not be facing out the front of car and is not allowed inside the car.

11. General preparation: All dirt and loose pieces must be swept from inside the car, and no loose object is allowed on the car. No special bumpers or reinforcements are allowed for a Bone Stock car. If there is special bumpers or reinforcements than your car will be placed in an Economy class with other cars that have the same modifications. Chains cannot be used for reinforcements and no spring hangers or lift kits are allowed. All glass, including glass inside doors, lights, side markers, door handles and moldings must be removed. Protruding wings must be cut or mashed down.

12. No welding allowed (except for the doors) for Bone Stock cars. If anything, other than the doors is welded, then your car will be placed into an Economy heat.

13. Plastic bumper covers must be removed, both front and back.

14. All drivers need to have their own number on their car. A large metal plate on the roof of your car with your number on it is mandatory. At least 12x12 in size.

15. There will be no more switching heats after your heat and class has been assigned!! NO EXCEPTIONS!!

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Any questions regarding the rules and regulations about building your car, or payouts for heats please call the fairgrounds, Clarence Dygert or Jason Lyndaker. There is no more pre- registering for the demo. All registrations will be done the day of the event.

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New Rules for 2025 Bone Stock and Economy cars for the demo at the Herkimer County Fair

• BONE STOCK means: 8, 6 and 4 cylinders. NO Body modifications. You can modify for safety but that is it.

• No suspension swaps.

• No Ag tires.

• No trunk folding or creasing.

• No T bars, only round pipe ( safety spreader bar) allowed to secure front seat.

• If you modify anything other than the front seat (for safety) or the placement of the battery or gas tank, then you will be placed in the Ecomomy Heat. No Exceptions!!!

• No deliberate door hits will be tolerated. Efforts to show caution to the driver door must be exhibited.

• Cars must be turned on /off with a switch or key.

• There will no longer be ties in any heat!!

• The entry fee is $50 for Bone Stock heats. This is to ensure higher payouts. Payouts will be $40 per car per heat. The inspectors will be placing every car in its specific heat after the inspection is complete. A paint stick will be attached to your car that is color coordinated with your wristband for your particular heat. The driver is required to break the stick once vehicle is disabled, either by time or disqualification. This will indicate to the announcer and the flagmen that you are out.

• There will be a consolation heat at the end of the demo after all the heats have been run. The entry fee for this heat will be $25 per entry. Payout will be 100% of total entries.

• ECONOMY CLASS means: 8, 6 and 4 cylinders. Any Body modifications done to car (other than standard safety modifications) you will be placed in this class for an Economy heat.

• The entry fee is $100 for the Economy heats. This is to ensure higher payouts. The payout for these heats will be $90 per car per heat. The inspectors will be placing every car in its specific heat after the inspection is complete. A paint stick will be attached to your car that is color coordinated with your wristband for your particular heat. The stick will be broken by the official when you are out, either by time or disqualification. This will indicate to the announcer and the flagmen that you are out.

• Bumpers can be welded, plates to hold the bumper are acceptable.

• Bumper swaps are allowed.

• Ag tires are allowed. All wheel weights need to be removed from all tires.

• You can use additional wire to secure bumpers on. Two strands per bumper.

• Creasing or folding of trunk is allowed.

• Halos and suspension modifications are allowed.

• Cars must be turned on/off with a switch or key.

• Two window bars or chains must be installed if the windshield is removed.

• No deliberate door hits tolerated. Efforts to show caution to the driver door must be exhibited.

• There will be no ties in any heat!

• There will be a consolation heat at the end of the demo after all heats have been run. The entry fee for this heat will be $25 per entry. Payout will be 100% of total entries.

 

 

TRUCKS/VANS HEAT

• ANY TRUCK VAN OR SUV UP TO AND INCLUDING ¾ TON CHASSIS. NO COMMERCIAL OR 1 TON FRAMES WILL BE ALLOWED. NO 4WD OR AWD ALLOWED. REMOVE SHAFT AND MAKE IT A 2WD. MAX 8 LUG AXLES AND SPINDLES.

• MINI VANS AND SMALL SUV WILL BE RAN TOGETHER IN A SEPARATE HEAT FROM FULL SIZE TRUCK/VAN/SUV.

 

GENERAL PREPERATION:

• ALL DIRT AND LOOSE PIECES MUST BE SWEPT FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE, AND NO LOOSE OBJECT ALLOWED ON OR IN VEHICLE.

• ALL GLASS/LIGHTS/TRIM/PLASTIC/BUMPER COVER ECT, MUST BE REMOVED.

1. WINSHIELD MUST BE REMOVED., 2 STEEL BARS MUST BE MOUNTED FROM THE FIREWALL TO THE ROOF. 6” ON TO FIREWALL AND ROOF, THAT’S IT!!!

2. BATTERY CAN BE MOVED TO PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR BOARD OR FRONT SEAT AREA BOLTED TO FLOOR IN A SECURE BOX. NO ZIP SCREWS WILL BE ACCEPTED. PLACEMENT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WILL BE ALLOWED AS LONG AS IT IS SECURELY MOUNTED AND COVERED.

3. EXHAUST SYSTEMS MUST BE CUT, MAKE SURE THEY EXTEND PAST THE FRONT SEAT. NO HEADERS OR EXHAUST POINTING FORWARD OR PASSING THROUGH THE INSIDE OF VEHICLE AT ANY POINT.

4. FUEL CELLS ALLOWED IN BED OF TRUCK, TIGHT TO CAB ( MAKE SURE ITS SECURE, NO ZIP SCREWS) SIMPLE TANK PROTECTOR OFF OF SEAT BAR WILL BE ALLOWED. NOTHING EXCESSIVE. ( IF LEAVING OEM TANK, YOU MUST HAVE 2 ADDITIONAL STRAPS SECURING IT.

5. ANY TIRES WILL BE ALLOWED ( NO STUDS).

6. ANY OEM CAR BUMPER CAN BE USED, OR A HOMEMADE BUMPER MAY BE USED. 6”X6” MAX TUBE, NON-LOADED, MAX 3/16” THICKNESS AND MAY ALSO HAVE A MAXIMUM OF 4” POINT CARRIED ACROSS A MINIMUM OF 32”. YOU WILL BE ALLOWED (2) 6” PLATES PER SIDE TO HOLD YOUR BUMPER ON. BUMPER CAN BE WELDED ON. FRONT AND REAR BUMPER MUST HAVE 9 WIRE OR CHAIN IN 2 LOCATIONS THRU SHEET METAL ( CORE SUPPORT OR HOOD) TO HOLD THEM ON. IT MAY GO TO THE FRAME BUT MUST GO THRU THE EXISITING HOLE OR A FACTORY BOLT. DO NOT WELD THE CHAIN TO THE FRAMES. CHAINS NO BIGGER THAN 5/16 AND NO MORE THAN 3 STRANDS OF 9 WIRE. ( NO ADDED BUMPER SHOCK).

7. WELDING SPIDER GEAR IN REAR CENTER TO MAKE IT POSI IS ALLOWED.

8. CROSS BAR (3” ROUND OR 4X4 SQUARE TUBE) BEHIND DRIVER/PASSENGER SEATS WITH UP TO X6X PLATES ON ENDS FOR MOUNTING. ( WELD IT IN SECURELY), IF YOU CANT WELD, BOLT IT IN AND MAKE SURE ITS SECURE. ANYTHING IN EXCESS WILL BE ASKED TO CUT OR YOU WILL BE LOADED AT JUDGES DISCRETION.

9. YOU MAY BOLT THE BED TO THE CAB IN 3 SPOTS WITH BOLTS OR THREADED ROD, NO LARGER THAN 5/8” WITH WASHER/PLATE NO BIGGER THAN 3X3.

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