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Orange Crush Demolition Derby

Motorsports/Racing

Orange Crush Demolition Derby Tickets

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Rating: 3.9 out of 5 based on 44 reviews

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About

About the Orange Crush Demolition Derby

Each August, Costa Mesa, California, hosts a demolition derby contest to coincide with the Orange County Fair. The Orange Crush Demolition Derby is held at the Action Sports Arena on the Orange County Fairgrounds as part of the Orange Crush Week of Destruction, in conjunction with the Motorhome Madness and Damsels of Destruction demolition derbies. The facility, which has a capacity of 6,500, first opened in 1969, and is also known as Costa Mesa Speedway, a mecca for motorcycle speedway racing.

History of the Orange Crush Demolition Derby

While its official origins have been disputed, demolition derby has been wowing race fans since at least the late 1950s, rising in popularity in the ensuing decades through exposure on ABC's Wide World of Sports and in film and television. Demolition derby gives fans the excitement of drivers bumping and crashing into each other in a safe and controlled setting until one reigns above all others. Older, mostly American-built vehicles that would normally be sent to the wrecking yard are given one more shot at glory, with windows removed, doors welded, and holes cut into the hoods to allow for easier fire extinguishing.

Sunnyside Promotions, which runs Orange Crush Week at the Orange County Fair, has over 80 years of auto racing experience dating back to founders Don and Bob Basile. Since the mid 1980s, the company has focused on demolition derby racing, after finding success in NASCAR and as part of driver Parnelli Jones' 1963 Indianapolis 500 winning team. In addition to the main demolition derby, Orange Crush features a night of demolition derby competitions between police personnel and firefighters, as well as figure-eight races, which precede each main competition. The 2019 Orange Crush demolition derby had a wild finish, in which #13 Tim Greenleaf and #86 Tom Strong went head-to-head in one final crash, with Strong narrowly defeating Greenleaf to take the top prize.

Reviews

Rating: 3.9 out of 5 based on 44 reviews
  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Crash Up at Fair

    by Shawnarae on 8/2/23

    so fun to get to see the wild crash up derby. lots of fun. The event was very organized we had great seats too. fun to hang out at fair before and after event. perfect for us 4 friends !!

  • Rating: 1 out of 5

    A literal pole was in my way blocking view

    by Napper on 8/2/23

    This seat should not be even sold!!! There was a pole directly in front of me holding up then roof of the seating area. These should not be sold. Terrible!!!

  • Rating: 4 out of 5

    Seats down low don’t have backs

    by Bummed on 8/2/23

    We purchased the good seats, should’ve purchased seats higher up. Our seats did not have backs, it was a bench only. Cheaper seats had a back on the bench.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    It was soo cool to watch

    by Annie oakley on 8/8/22OC Fair & Event Center - Costa Mesa

    The firgue eight was cool but the smasHing cars was betteR. And girl drivers awesome blossom.

  • Rating: 3 out of 5

    Orange Crush Demolition Derby

    by H. G. on 8/8/22OC Fair & Event Center - Costa Mesa

    Very nice, but too short an event for the effort to get to the show and the cost. Would have been nicer if there were at least 2 or 3 heats of about 6 cars each and the 2 finalists from each heat then meeting for the championship in the final heat. It was enjoyable, but needed to last at least over an hour and a 1/4 or more to be worth the time and cost.

  • Rating: 2 out of 5

    Buyer Beware

    by OC Resident on 8/7/22

    Everything about the demo derby is amazing, super fun, entertaining, energetic, and the access to the fair where we spent tons more money. The only issue, but bug issue was that there were only 2 heats, so it was started and over in 45 minutes. I think you would feel more bang for your buck if there were at least one more heat to give more entertainment.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Awesome Demolition Derby

    by Jim M on 8/4/22OC Fair & Event Center - Costa Mesa

    I go to demo derbies at other tracks, but since this is a "once a year" event at Costa Mesa at the Fair, they pull out all the stops. Very entertaining. Highly recommend to any "demo newbies" and veteran fans, too!

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Love Love Love demolition dery! it was so much and exciting.

    by eden on 8/3/22OC Fair & Event Center - Costa Mesa

    cannot wait to go back! I am booking the august events.

  • Rating: 1 out of 5

    Short

    by Eden on 8/3/22OC Fair & Event Center - Costa Mesa

    The event lasted less than an hour. Rip off! Barely got to our seat and then there was only one heat left.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Best fun of the summer

    by Feodora on 8/1/22OC Fair & Event Center - Costa Mesa

    The DD was spectacular. Always a good time. The people that run it and that are in it are just great. The concessions were a disaster but that’s a fair issue.