Kids help put touches on derby car

By ANDREA RUSSELL

For the Potomac News & Manassas Journal Messenger

Published: August 14, 2008

A group of seven children and teens gathered at Joe Green's Manassas home Wednesday, wearing T-shirts that read "Joe's Crew" on the front and "Drive it … like you hate it!" on the back.

The group, along with Green and his girlfriend, Karen Davidson, were there to put finishing touches on a 1973 Ford Country Squire that would be hit, smashed and crashed during the Prince William County Fair's annual demolition derby.

Green, a recreational vehicle technician who has loved cars since he was a child, has been participating in demoli-tion derbies since he was 18.

"Some do it to beat up cars, but a lot of guys go out there to be the last man standing," Green said. "You always want to win, but if you don't, it's still a good year."

He usually competes in the county fair's demolition derby events, but this year he didn't have a vehicle to enter until Sunday, when he met with fellow derby competitor Duane O'Connell, who gave him a 1973 Ford Country Squire.

"He pulled the car out of nowhere," said Green, who added that without O'Connell's donation he wouldn't have been able to enter.

The first round of heats took place at the fairgrounds Wednesday evening, which didn't leave Green much time to strip the car and make the necessary safety adjustments required for entry.

"It's been a fast-paced week," Green said.

When Green started working on the car Sunday, he had four young helpers: Jesse Lazenby, 16; Andy Beaty, 14; Ashley Beaty, 13; and Abigail Davidson, 9.

Anthony Quarto, 16; Nick Quarto, 13; and Lauren Quarto, 8, soon joined Green's crew as well. "They were more than excited to jump in and help," Green said.

Over the next two days, the group of friends, family and neighbors pitched in to prepare the old wagon for the derby.

"It's a great chance for them to pick up tools they've never used and do something they've never done," Green said. "It got them away from the PlayStation for a while."

The older kids worked with tools and saw to some of the more intricate work, while the younger ones helped with stripping, cleaning and painting.

"It was nice working with all of them. It was nice to get out and do something," said Anthony, a rising senior at Emmanuel Christian School.

"Working on a car and using all the tools was the best part," said Ashley, a rising eighth-grader at Parkside Middle School. "I think Joe will win, probably," she added.

"I hope I can show up well for them. They put in a lot of work," Green said.

Green will celebrate his 34th birthday today, the day of the demolition derby championship. His young crew plans to paint "Happy Birthday" on the car.

Jesse, Green's nephew, is one of the only ones in the crew who has been to a demolition derby be-fore.

"It's intense. Twelve or so cars in a football field going at it. It's fun to watch, and probably to be in, too," he said.

Though Green's car took some hard hits Wednesday night during the first round of the derby, the crew hoped to ready the wagon so it can still compete in the championship event tonight at 7, Karen Davidson said.