Reigning champ keeping local drivers on ice
Demo derby action hits the grandstand Monday, Friday
Pictured after his victory in 2015, Bill Marett isn’t sure whether he will be able to compete in this year’s Medina County Fair Demolition Derby, making local drivers uneasy. Photo by DAVID SICKELS
MEDINA – Whether Bill Marett will show up to defend his titles is still a mystery.
Hanging in the balance is a $3,000 cash prize and, most importantly, Marett’s third consecutive title in what’s referred to by many local motorheads as “the main event” of the Medina County Fair Demolition Derby – the No Protectors Class of Monday night’s ’80s and Newer show.
The 16-year derby driver has a legitimate reason for possibly missing, though, but you can bet local drivers will still be on the lookout for his ’83 Lincoln Town Car on a 2006 Ford Crown Victoria frame.
“My wife is pregnant and she is due the first week of August,” Marett, 32, said. “I have a car ready to go, but I am not sure. It’s all about timing.”
Marett, who hails from Norwalk and officiates demolition derbies at eight different county fairs throughout Ohio, and his wife, Cassandra, are expecting a baby boy, their first. He said he’s hoping his son will begin his family’s third generation of derby drivers. Marett ran alongside his dad, Rich, during last year’s Medina event.
“I’m hoping to make it, but you never know,” Marett said. “I know quite a few local drivers who would be happy to see the baby come right around derby day.”
Medina County Fair’s derby is among the biggest anywhere and draws competition from throughout the region. Topping Marett’s “hit list,” he said, are the local drivers. He called out Brunswick’s Ian Anderson by name.
“The last couple years, quite a few local drivers have really progressed and improved their ability and their driving styles, so I’m looking forward to seeing a bit more action from some of the locals,” Marett said.
No doubt, Medina’s Dan Thomas, who ran in his 30th consecutive Medina derby last year, should be expected to give Marett hell. The two were the final cars running in last year’s epic finish.
Thomas did not return calls for comment.
For Medina’s Mark Szakacs – champ in 2014, runner-up in 2015 and did not place in 2016 – Marett’s absence would be upsetting to himself and other local drivers out for vengeance. Szakacs considers Marett his “rival.”
It would also leave the field without a car painted “No. 1,” a coveted derby tradition for returning champs.
“If he doesn’t show up, I’m going to be pretty disappointed,” Szakacs, 28, said of his friend. “I kind of look at it as, if Bill can’t come out, I don’t want to run. If I ended up winning, it wouldn’t mean anything if I didn’t beat the best.”
If Marett doesn’t run, Szakacs said he is “strongly considering” taking his Crown Vic out to Huron County on Aug. 19 to compete on Marett’s stomping grounds. The move would be purely symbolic, as Marett is the head derby official at his hometown Huron County Fair in which he does not drive.
“If I can’t compete against him, the next best thing will be to go compete against his friends on his home turf,” Szakacs said. “It would suck to see the rivalry die.”
Marett admitted he is “trying to slow down” from the days when he would run in seven derbies a year. He said he still gets the same thrill as an official, especially from the vehicle inspection processes.
“It is really a single-person sport. It’s your design, your engine and your hard work against someone else’s,” Marett said. “So when you’re able to win a big event like that, it makes you real proud of yourself and your efforts.”
Monday’s ’80s and Newer Demolition Derby will get underway at 7 p.m. starting with the Sub Compact, Compact Trucks and Youth Compact divisions ahead of the No Protectors main event. A kiddy Power Wheels derby will open the show. Tickets are $8.
Friday’s Old Iron Demolition Derby kicks off Friday night, also at 7 p.m. and $8.
Hanging in the balance is a $3,000 cash prize and, most importantly, Marett’s third consecutive title in what’s referred to by many local motorheads as “the main event” of the Medina County Fair Demolition Derby – the No Protectors Class of Monday night’s ’80s and Newer show.
The 16-year derby driver has a legitimate reason for possibly missing, though, but you can bet local drivers will still be on the lookout for his ’83 Lincoln Town Car on a 2006 Ford Crown Victoria frame.
“My wife is pregnant and she is due the first week of August,” Marett, 32, said. “I have a car ready to go, but I am not sure. It’s all about timing.”
Marett, who hails from Norwalk and officiates demolition derbies at eight different county fairs throughout Ohio, and his wife, Cassandra, are expecting a baby boy, their first. He said he’s hoping his son will begin his family’s third generation of derby drivers. Marett ran alongside his dad, Rich, during last year’s Medina event.
“I’m hoping to make it, but you never know,” Marett said. “I know quite a few local drivers who would be happy to see the baby come right around derby day.”
Medina County Fair’s derby is among the biggest anywhere and draws competition from throughout the region. Topping Marett’s “hit list,” he said, are the local drivers. He called out Brunswick’s Ian Anderson by name.
“The last couple years, quite a few local drivers have really progressed and improved their ability and their driving styles, so I’m looking forward to seeing a bit more action from some of the locals,” Marett said.
No doubt, Medina’s Dan Thomas, who ran in his 30th consecutive Medina derby last year, should be expected to give Marett hell. The two were the final cars running in last year’s epic finish.
Thomas did not return calls for comment.
For Medina’s Mark Szakacs – champ in 2014, runner-up in 2015 and did not place in 2016 – Marett’s absence would be upsetting to himself and other local drivers out for vengeance. Szakacs considers Marett his “rival.”
It would also leave the field without a car painted “No. 1,” a coveted derby tradition for returning champs.
“If he doesn’t show up, I’m going to be pretty disappointed,” Szakacs, 28, said of his friend. “I kind of look at it as, if Bill can’t come out, I don’t want to run. If I ended up winning, it wouldn’t mean anything if I didn’t beat the best.”
If Marett doesn’t run, Szakacs said he is “strongly considering” taking his Crown Vic out to Huron County on Aug. 19 to compete on Marett’s stomping grounds. The move would be purely symbolic, as Marett is the head derby official at his hometown Huron County Fair in which he does not drive.
“If I can’t compete against him, the next best thing will be to go compete against his friends on his home turf,” Szakacs said. “It would suck to see the rivalry die.”
Marett admitted he is “trying to slow down” from the days when he would run in seven derbies a year. He said he still gets the same thrill as an official, especially from the vehicle inspection processes.
“It is really a single-person sport. It’s your design, your engine and your hard work against someone else’s,” Marett said. “So when you’re able to win a big event like that, it makes you real proud of yourself and your efforts.”
Monday’s ’80s and Newer Demolition Derby will get underway at 7 p.m. starting with the Sub Compact, Compact Trucks and Youth Compact divisions ahead of the No Protectors main event. A kiddy Power Wheels derby will open the show. Tickets are $8.
Friday’s Old Iron Demolition Derby kicks off Friday night, also at 7 p.m. and $8.