By PAULA NEAR
Demo season is unfortunately over and we can't wait until next year already. Some people look forward to summer vacations - and we look forward to smashing cars at the derby.
When we race, we go to have a good time, win or lose. That's the whole point of racing. You play safe, give it what you got, don't cheat, put on a good show, hang on and have a good time!
Racing is a lot of frustration, time, money and work. Back years ago, they used to run regular stock demo cars and you didn't have to go up against cars that were welded from front to back or cars that are full of stuff that shouldn't be in a car, let alone be allowed through inspection.
My opinion on that is, if you have to weld or cheat, it doesn't make you much of a driver, just a fool when everyone finds out and Dunkirk rumors fly like bugs!
I hope things do change for Demolition Derby 2013 before someone is seriously hurt and it puts a stop to demos. Let's be real now. The fair makes the most money on Tuesdays and Sundays. Why? The Demolition Derby!
With that being said, all the credit goes out to a 61-year-old and our No. 1 pit crewman, Jerry Near Jr. who taught us and showed us almost everything he knows.
He ran his butt off this year. Next year, we will have a golf cart out there for him to drive back and forth from the gate to the pit area instead of walking.
We would love for him to race with us again, but he was told by his doctor a few years ago, one more wrong twist to his neck and he could be paralyzed. So with that, we race and he is allowed to load, unload and drive cars off the track and that's it!
He has always supported us, giving advice, helping out, shaking his head and laughing, especially on nights when we got more drinking done than work on the cars. He has just always been there for us no matter what!
I can say that I'm a very proud daughter of his and wouldn't change it for the world. I'm also proud that we are Near's Racing Team and wouldn't change that either. We didn't have much luck this year and that's OK because everyone knew we were there. See y'all next year!
Paula Near is a Dunkirk resident.
