Australia's demolition derby community is fighting to keep the sport alive after new safety regulations imposed extra costs on organisers, leading to multiple event cancellations. The sport, which involves beaten-up cars crashing into each other at rural agricultural shows, has been under scrutiny since a crash at the Walcha Motorcycle Rally in November last year injured 13 spectators, two critically.
Following the incident, SafeWork New South Wales, in conjunction with AgShows NSW, amended operational guidelines requiring water-filled barriers made of high-density polyethylene. These barriers, which can withstand impacts up to 70km/h, cost up to $15,000 per event, according to Nathan Williams, president of the Australian Demolition Derby Association (ADDA). He says at least seven derbies in NSW and Queensland have been cancelled this season due to the costs.
Shiralee Adams, president of the Cessnock and District Agricultural Association, says the cancellation of her show's derby led to a 75% drop in gate attendance. She also raised safety concerns about the new rules, including a single entry point that could be blocked by a broken-down car, hindering emergency access. 'Your rules to keep our public safe are putting our drivers in jeopardy,' she said.
Williams says the ADDA has proposed alternative barriers, such as telegraph poles, hay bales and tractor tyres, but SafeWork has not agreed to these measures. 'We've tried to communicate with them to come up with a safe plan, a better or more affordable plan, but they don't want to hear it,' he said. Adams is determined to revive the derby next year and has begun talks with SafeWork.
