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Batty for the demo derby
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| Submitted PhotoKC Decals, Shamokin, provided details to Vic’s Transmissions’ demolition car. In this submitted photo, Batman perches atop Vic’s Transmissions’ demolition derby car at the Numidia Raceway earlier this month. Each year, the crew at Vic’s, Elysburg, enters a theme car into the Bloomsburg Fair Demolition Derby, where they have won “Best in Show” two years in a row. This year’s theme is Batman. |
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Vic's crew at it again for smash-up event at Bloomsburg FairELYSBURG — The Dark Knight has left Gotham City and taken up residence at a transmission shop in Elysburg; at least until the completion of the World’s Largest Demolition Derby at the Bloomsburg Fair on Saturday.
The crew at Vic’s Transmission chose Batman as the theme of its entry in this year’s derby, complete with Caped Crusader.
Vic Lisiewski, owner of Vic’s Transmissions, has sponsored a car for the derby since 2000. Most demolition derby drivers spray paint a number and humorous slogans on their cars. Vic and crew create an entire theme.
“It pretty much goes by whatever the popular movie is at the time,” said Andy Bendas, employee and demolition derby driver for Vic’s Transmissions.
This year’s car is a 1985 Pontiac Parisienne. They tore out the back seats, removed the windows, and chained the doors closed for safety during the derby. The crew painted the car flat black and made trunk-sized batwings in honor of the 1955 Lincoln Futura used as the Batmobile in the original TV series. KC Decals in Shamokin tricked out the car with bright yellow bat silhouettes for the trunk and wheels, as well as a few “Bang!” and “Holy Smoke!” decals for the fenders.
The crew started working on the car a month in advance. Few demolition derby contenders put more than a few hours into their cars. The crew at Vic’s puts in 40 to 50 man hours.
“We take our time to decorate,” Lisiewski said.
The efforts have paid off. Vic’s Transmissions has won “Best in Show” two years in a row for their themes.
“Last year, the theme was King Kong. In 2006, it was Pirates of the Caribbean,” Lisiewski said.
The crew has yet to win the derby itself, but Bendas, who has driven in the derby since the first year, has become a memorable addition to the event.
“He’s a crowd favorite; he just puts it in reverse and floors it,” Lisiewski said.
Bendas has gotten close to winning the derby, but gets more enjoyment out of destroying the car.
“He just likes to smash,” Lisiewski added with a chuckle.
Little money is earned from winning the derby. For the crew at Vic’s Transmissions, it’s all about having fun and entertaining the crowds wherever they go.
“It’s good for morale and we have lots of fun doing it,” Lisiewski said.
Lisiewski took the Batmobile to All Home Days in August, nearly causing a riot at a youth football game.
“When I drove by (the game), the cheerleaders were screaming and the kids went nuts,” he said, smiling. “They went wild.”
Steve Cambria will wear the Batman costume during Saturday’s show, but Tim Brouse donned the cape and ears to entertain the crowd at Numidia Raceway earlier this month.
Brouse drove the Batmobile in the Numidia races, just to see what it could do. It did very well.
“He made it to the semi-finals,” Lisiewski said, pleasantly surprised. “We didn’t tune it up or anything.”
Brouse was also shocked the Parisienne did so well.
“I was up against a Corvette and they said when I beat the ‘Vette everyone went nuts,” Brouse added.
Any time Brouse is outside the shop in the Batman costume, horns honk, drivers wave, and passersby snap photos.
“We’re stopping traffic again,” Brouse said while posing for a picture with the Batmobile on Wednesday.
Jacob Gessner, 8, son of Doug and Melissa Gessner, of Elysburg, stopped by with his mother to get his photo taken with Batman and the car.
“I like (the car),” he said. “I’m going to get a movie of Batman. I have Superman, now I need Batman.”
The Worlds Largest Demolition Derby starts at noon at the Bloomsburg Fair grandstand. Tickets are $15.
The crew at Vic’s Transmission chose Batman as the theme of its entry in this year’s derby, complete with Caped Crusader.
Vic Lisiewski, owner of Vic’s Transmissions, has sponsored a car for the derby since 2000. Most demolition derby drivers spray paint a number and humorous slogans on their cars. Vic and crew create an entire theme.
“It pretty much goes by whatever the popular movie is at the time,” said Andy Bendas, employee and demolition derby driver for Vic’s Transmissions.
This year’s car is a 1985 Pontiac Parisienne. They tore out the back seats, removed the windows, and chained the doors closed for safety during the derby. The crew painted the car flat black and made trunk-sized batwings in honor of the 1955 Lincoln Futura used as the Batmobile in the original TV series. KC Decals in Shamokin tricked out the car with bright yellow bat silhouettes for the trunk and wheels, as well as a few “Bang!” and “Holy Smoke!” decals for the fenders.
The crew started working on the car a month in advance. Few demolition derby contenders put more than a few hours into their cars. The crew at Vic’s puts in 40 to 50 man hours.
“We take our time to decorate,” Lisiewski said.
The efforts have paid off. Vic’s Transmissions has won “Best in Show” two years in a row for their themes.
“Last year, the theme was King Kong. In 2006, it was Pirates of the Caribbean,” Lisiewski said.
The crew has yet to win the derby itself, but Bendas, who has driven in the derby since the first year, has become a memorable addition to the event.
“He’s a crowd favorite; he just puts it in reverse and floors it,” Lisiewski said.
Bendas has gotten close to winning the derby, but gets more enjoyment out of destroying the car.
“He just likes to smash,” Lisiewski added with a chuckle.
Little money is earned from winning the derby. For the crew at Vic’s Transmissions, it’s all about having fun and entertaining the crowds wherever they go.
“It’s good for morale and we have lots of fun doing it,” Lisiewski said.
Lisiewski took the Batmobile to All Home Days in August, nearly causing a riot at a youth football game.
“When I drove by (the game), the cheerleaders were screaming and the kids went nuts,” he said, smiling. “They went wild.”
Steve Cambria will wear the Batman costume during Saturday’s show, but Tim Brouse donned the cape and ears to entertain the crowd at Numidia Raceway earlier this month.
Brouse drove the Batmobile in the Numidia races, just to see what it could do. It did very well.
“He made it to the semi-finals,” Lisiewski said, pleasantly surprised. “We didn’t tune it up or anything.”
Brouse was also shocked the Parisienne did so well.
“I was up against a Corvette and they said when I beat the ‘Vette everyone went nuts,” Brouse added.
Any time Brouse is outside the shop in the Batman costume, horns honk, drivers wave, and passersby snap photos.
“We’re stopping traffic again,” Brouse said while posing for a picture with the Batmobile on Wednesday.
Jacob Gessner, 8, son of Doug and Melissa Gessner, of Elysburg, stopped by with his mother to get his photo taken with Batman and the car.
“I like (the car),” he said. “I’m going to get a movie of Batman. I have Superman, now I need Batman.”
The Worlds Largest Demolition Derby starts at noon at the Bloomsburg Fair grandstand. Tickets are $15.
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| Foam seems to have snuffed pit fire |
