GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Shawn Raddatz already has a car for this year’s Demolition Derby at the Clay County Agricultural Fair. And unlike last year, he also has a game plan.

“You can’t really sandbag,” he said. “You have to go out there and give it your all and hit everything until your car doesn’t work anymore.”

That’s what he did last year, and it earned him $1,000 and the inaugural Fair Demolition Derby Championship.

The field of destruction was so intense, so entertaining, Fair Executive Director Tasha Hyder said fans not only wanted the Derby to return, but they also wanted to see it in a bigger venue.

A year ago, there was seating for 1,000 fans, and those seats sold out quickly. But when hundreds more came through the gates, Hyder called for 80 extra seats to be carted from the warehouse to meet the demands.

Nobody in the grandstands or the extra seats needed their seats because they were on their feet during the main event.

Fourteen drivers piled into each other – most were competing in a demolition derby for the first time – and the action was non-stopping. The only red-flag period was necessary for the Clay County Fire Rescue to put out two car fires.

In the end, Raddatz’s car was the only one still running.

“I think I can still drive it back onto the trailer,” he said. “I never stopped once they said to go. I floored it and I tried to hit everybody I could with the back of my car so I could save my engine.”

This year’s Derby will be at a larger venue on Thursday, April 9, at 6 p.m. The field will also be enlarged to two heats of 12 cars each, with a championship finale for the 12 survivors.

A larger venue and field also mean a larger grandstand and a VIP section, Hyder said.

Raddatz said Black Creek Tractor and Equipment co-worker Michael Hirner also bought a car and plans to compete in the Derby. The field of 24 participants has already been reached, and all cars must pass inspection before the competition. For example, all glass must be removed, no rear- or all-wheeled drive cars are allowed, batteries must be installed inside the car and they must be secured and covered, bumpers must stock and gas tanks must be in front of the rear axle in the stock location.

Just don’t expect them to go home in the same condition.

There will also be Power Wheel Derby competition among children ages 6-10. Rules there are simple: cars must be electric and have doors, riders must have helmets, long pants, covered shoes, doors and tailgates must be strapped shut and cars must have either a six-, 10- or 12-volt battery.

Last year’s Derby sold out, and tickets for this year’s return are going fast and are not included with gate admission. For tickets, visit claycountyfair.org.