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PLACERVILLE POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION PRESS RELEASE 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MONDAY, AUGUST 11, 2008 

Placerville Police Destruction Derby Celebrates 35 years this Sunday 

By Bill Sullivan,Sullivan Images 

This Sunday, August 17 the El Dorado County Fairgrounds will host the sounds of smashing sheet metal the roar of smoking engines and cheering spectators as one of El DoradoCounty’s oldest charitable events celebrates its 35^th anniversary. It’s time for the classic Placerville Police Officers Association’s Annual Hangtown Destruction Derby, an afternoon of car crushing mayhem that is fun for the entire family. 

Now heading towards it’s fourth decade of operation, the annual Hangtown Destruction Derby is presented by the Placerville Police Officers Association in conjunction with the cooperation of El Dorado County Fire, Placerville Speedway and the business community of El DoradoCounty. The competition in the event is populated by men and women representing law enforcement and public safety agencies in a contest of mechanical survival on a mud filled infield of the fairgrounds main arena. 

In the early years, the Hangtown Destruction Derby was open to only those employed by public service agencies. However, this will mark the fifth year that entries are open to the public, who merely must be endorsed by a police or fire agency. The process is a simple task and a number of El Dorado County Automotive related businesses are expected to enter the event that benefits charity under the management of the PPOA.  

“The interest seems strong once again this year, said Placerville Police Officer Ron Cannon, chairman of the event. “A couple of weeks ago we had 13 confirmed entries and that was pretty early. By the end of the week I am expecting we’ll have 20 or so and that’s what we had last year when 30 entries showed up for a great event.” 

As of press time, the known local entries in Sunday’s derby will include Cannon along with Geoff Bodle and Jason Cornelius of Placerville who will represent Sierra Nevada Tire and Wheel. Lady driver Joanne Hebert of the El Dorado County Sheriffs Office Record Division will return. Past derby champions Brent Hipshire of Palo Alto and Tony Naples of HalfMoonBay are also among those who have confirmed entries. 

As the Hangtown Destruction Derby reaches a landmark of being 35 years strong later this week, it becomes one of the oldest and most successful annual events that benefits charity in El Dorado County. Through the years, proceeds from the derby have benefited a number of organizations such as youth sports, children’s charities and the Police Officers annual Christmas party for underprivileged children. The bottom line, the annual Hangtown Destruction Derby is fun for the whole family and in the end, it’s all presented for a good cause. 

The entry fee for the event is just $50 and the winner of the super main will be awarded a healthy $1000. Second place earns $500 and third place wins $300. Heat races will pay $150 to the winner, $100 to second place and $50 to third. In addition to the cash winnings top finishers are awarded trophies for their success. Entrants in this annual event routinely acquire the vehicle themselves and then use area sponsorships to construct it into a full blown derby car. In many cases, the winners turn around and donate their winnings to a charity of their choice after the bills are paid for the construction of the car, safety equipment, transportation to the event and possibly a visit to the chiropractor the following Monday. 

In 2007 some 30 drivers competed in the Hangtown Destruction Derby, one of the highest numbers in over five years. Several years ago, this event was feared to be endangered when low attendance and participation made it difficult to continue promoting. Over the last several years, officer Ron Cannon has been instrumental in the growth of the annual derby. As a long time competitor with a great love for his community and family entertainment, Cannon’s enthusiasm, a collaborative promotion effort with Placerville Speedway and many businesses in the community that sponsor the affair, this once struggling event has come back to life and is ranked as one of the highest ranked law enforcement charity events in the western states, sitting second to the annual “Pig Bowl” that takes place in Sacramento each year. 

This year the 35^th Annual Hangtown Destruction Derby will begin on the eve of the event with the annual event BBQ at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds and involvement with Placerville Speedway during their annual Kids Night event. On this evening, the speedway admits all children under 12 for free to the speedway and holds bicycle races during intermission. The Placerville Police Officers Association will be on hand when the gates open at the races, handing out tickets to those youngsters 12 and under that attend the races. The officers will not be handing out speeding tickets, but complimentary children’s tickets the Sunday Derby. The team effort between the Police Department and John Padjen Motorsports makes this coming weekend one to remember for the youngsters. 

The grandstands at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds will open at 1 p.m. on Sunday and the first heat race of the derby is set to begin at 3:00 p.m. following opening ceremonies and the popular parade of entrants. An early arrival to the speedway is suggested as last year the grandstands were nearly filled to capacity prior to the opening event. Adult tickets to the derby are just $10 at the gate. Children 12 and under are $4, unless they attend the auto races the night before and receive a complimentary ticket. For further information on the event, the official website of Placerville Police Officers Association can be viewed at www.hangtowncops.org and information can also be found on the speedway’s website at www.placervillespeedway.com.

PHOTO ATTACHED 

Duo for disaster. Placerville’s Geoff Bodle (right) and Jason Cornelius will represent the Placerville Police Department and Sierra Nevada Tire and Wheel when they both compete in the 35^th Annual Hangtown Destruction Derby Sunday afternoon. The duo will look to destroy the machines of as many law enforcement entries as possible to become the first ever non-law enforcement winners of the event.

Photos by Bill Sullivan