Spicewood Destruction Derby spins out Saturday

One Saturday each year, the Spicewood Volunteer Fire Department and EMS actually looks forward to seeing a lot of wrecks.

That day will be this Saturday, Sept. 9, when at the 26th annual Spicewood Destruction Derby is held on the grounds behind the fire department, 9805 Texas 71 East, Spicewood. Proceeds from this event benefit the fire department and emergency medical service.

Gates open at 4 p.m. with a live band performing at 4:30 p.m. The races will start at 6 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. Seating is on a first-come basis, and coolers, glass bottles and pets are not allowed. Food, drinks and beer will be available for sale from concessions.

With several dozen participants expected again this year, the Destruction Derby usually pulls in a large crowd of folks from all ages. More than 6,000 spectators attended the derby last year.

There is no age limit for derby vehicles, and they can be American or foreign made cars, however, SUVs, trucks, Imperials and Lincoln models with “suicide doors” are not allowed.

The derby will include both compact and full size heats, with prize monies to the first place in the full size competition, the first place compact under 10 car, and the first place compact over 10 car.

The consolation race, a heat for any size vehicle that didn’t win first, second or third place in their individual heats, also will offer money for the first place winner.

The derby was started by Louis Joseph “L.J.” Honeycutt, a former 15-year Spicewood volunteer who passed away in December 2014. Honeycutt was known as “King of the Derbies” in his younger years and was, according to family, highly involved in the coordinating the Annual Destruction Derby in Houston’s Astrodome.

Money raised by the derby is usually spent on purchasing much-needed equipment for the fire department and EMS.