PARIS POST-INTELLIGENCER
Pars, TN

'Derby Madness' movie premieres at KPAC

Mike Weatherford (right) talks with William Middleton (left) and John Dudley, producers of the documentary film “Derby Madness! The Movie” Saturday night at the Krider Performing Arts Center prior to the film’s premiere. —Staff photo by Heather Bryant

By HEATHER BRYANT
P-I Asst. News Editor

Published: Monday, March 9, 2009 11:39 AM CDT

Mike Weatherford was just a little bit nervous Saturday night as a big crowd of his friends and local people from Paris and Henry County came to the Krider Performing Arts Center to see him in action in the premiere of “Derby Madness! The Movie.”

Weatherford coordinates demolition derby qualifying competitions called NAPA Auto Parts Crash for Cash in several Tennessee and Kentucky towns and the championship event (which will be Sept. 20) at the Henry County Fairgrounds.

The documentary movie, produced by John Dudley and William Middleton of Dumedia Lighthouse in Nashville, highlights Weatherford in the “behind the scenes” action of demolition derbies.

They followed — and filmed — Weatherford and drivers during 2008 condensing hundreds of hours of tape into a 90-minute film.

Weatherford said after the first couple of times being filmed, everyone warmed up to the camera guys and were just their natural selves.

“This shows it’s just another day in the office for me,” he said. “It’s redneck Nascar.”

“They’ve done a good job (with the film),” he said. “Most people who sit in the stands don’t know what we go through to put on a derby. I hope everybody likes it.”

Dudley went to a demolition derby two years ago, fell in love with the sport, and worked with Middleton to film “Derby Madness” which is 30 percent car smashing and 70 percent behind the scenes action.

They plan to distribute the documentary through a variety of venues, but they also plan to take the concept to major networks to pitch the idea of “Derby Madness” like other reality shows such as “Monster Garage” and “American Chopper.”

“There’s a large part of Americans who have never participated in or seen a demolition derby,” said Dudley. “This shows how much time and dedication it takes, and it explores the personalities associated with the entire ‘Derby Madness’ group.”

Dudley said one interesting part of filming the movie was seeing derby team leader Wes Gargus having heated arguments with Weatherford during the derby about rules and regulations.

“But before and after the derby they are good friends,” he said. “They are very competitive and are two guys who are passionate about what they do.”

The film also shows that demolition derbies can be family-related, said Dudley.

“It takes all of these different people to help with the car, get it to the derby, get it painted and ready,” he said. “It’s a real bonding experience.”