Entries sought for Police Hangtown Destruction Derby

PLACERVILLE, CA – Although it is still a few months away, the Placerville Police Officers Association is already hard at work planning for the 2013 Hangtown Destruction Derby. The newest chapter of this annual affair will be a landmark for the event that raises funds for various local charities as it marks the 40th anniversary of mechanical mayhem at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds.

 "I can still remember the very first one," recalled former Placerville Police Officer Rich Lockwood. Lockwood has been the longtime flagman for the annual derby and a former competitor who has missed only one of the events in its four decades. "There were so many cars that they circled the entire track and we even had to put some in the middle."

 This year, the Placerville Police Officers Association is hoping to bring some of that great history and enthusiasm back to the annual Hangtown Destruction Derby as they celebrate 40 years of destruction, trials and triumph in this event that is often compared to in popularity as the annual Pig Bowl Football game in Sacramento.

 The 2013 derby will take place on Sunday afternoon, August 18th at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds in a big weekend of activities that take place in conjunction with Placerville Speedway. The night before will be Kids Night at the Speedway, an event in which the Placerville Police Department will participate in once again as the non profit organization teams together with the speedway to provide families a great weekend of entertainment.

 In addition to being heavily involved in organizing the annual derby, Cannon has been a longtime competitor and won his first ever event last year after years of trying.  The victory marked the first time in more than a decade that a local officer won the event which draws entries from throughout California and Nevada annually.
 In the early years, the Hangtown Destruction Derby was open to only those employed by public service agencies. However, 2013 will mark the sixth year that entries are open to the public, who merely become endorsed by a police or fire agency. Proceeds from the derby have benefited a number of organizations such as youth sports, children's charities and the Police Officers annual Christmas for underprivileged children.
 With a little over four months before the derby, entries are now being sought for this very special edition of the derby. The winner of the super main in 2013 will win $1000 for their efforts. Those who are interested in constructing a car or getting involved are urged to contact Officer Ron Cannon of the Placerville Police Department by phone at (530) -957-8600 or by email at roncannon1@gmail.com for entry information and building rules.

 For further information on the event, the official website of Placerville Police Officers Association can be viewed at www.hangtowncops.org.