As demolition derby cars roared to life at the Baker County Fairgrounds, so too did the jam-packed crowd

Each of the 11 cars sounded as harsh as it looked. Many had competed in demolition derbies around Oregon earlier this year.

That includes the car driven by Steven Patterson of Prairie City, a veteran demolition driver who began participating in these events more than 20 years ago.

Patterson estimates he’s won close to $5,000 in derbies. But before the Baker city event started Saturday evening at the Fairgrounds, he emphasized that he competes not just for money, but because he likes “just running into somebody.”

“If you don’t do it for the fun, don’t even start,” said Patterson, 67.

Compared with the other 10 cars in field, Patterson’s black Dodge Monaco featured some of the worst wear and tear.

He said he drove the car for the first time in a John Day derby about three weeks ago. His Dodge blew two tires in that event.

“The car wasn’t where I wanted it,” he said.

Even before Saturday’s event, Patterson had some reservations about the vehicle. It appeared smashed and dented on both sides.

Not to mention, he bought and repaired it on a $300 budget in the first place.

“I don’t go for big bucks,” he said. “If I could do it cheap, that’s what I do.”

That’s unusual compared to some of the other competitors. Many of them sport welded frames and vertical exhaust headers that jut from holes in the front of the car.

Steven instead chose to saw off regular exhaust pipes and weld them inside his hood.

“It’s all homemade,” he said.

As the PA announcer introduced the drivers one-by-one, Patterson drove his car to the dirt-covered arena.

His family rode along with him — sitting on the trunk — for driver introductions. Patterson’s wife, son and daughter-in-law make up his pit crew.

His wife, Georgia, said she learned how to repair the radiator, redo the chains that attach the fender to the car, and use a blowtorch to cut away sheet metal that could interfere with the tires.

Georgia said she is fully supportive of her husband’s hobby.

“Hey, he likes to play,” she said. “This is his play. He works to play.”

Though he is past retirement age, Patterson works as a part-time truck driver, partially to pay for his derby cars.

That endeavor is worth the bumps and the bruises, he said. He can’t recall any serious injuries in his years of demolition driving.

In that time, he has worn the same black helmet to go along with his goggles. That’s to protect the driver’s head when they inevitably smack their chins forward on the steering wheel.

Further safety measures ruled by the Haines Stampede, which sponsors the Baker City derby, state that drivers cannot target the driver’s side door, nor can they initiate head-to-head collisions.

These safety precautions, which are widespread, are sufficient that the Patterson allowed his son, Michael, to take up the sport when he was 17.

“The thought of actually driving and hitting somebody, that’s kind of cool,” said Michael, who is now 43.

When Michael isn’t in derbies, he helps his family in the pit crew. His wife, Wanda, joins them.

While she is excited when Patterson, her father-in-law, gets behind the wheel, Wanda admits to being nervous when her husband competes in a derby.

“It’s just the possibility of getting hurt is the only thing that makes me nervous about it,” she said.

See more in the Aug. 15, 2016, issue of the Baker City Herald.