Fair Demolition Derby is tradition for Hunt family

MEDINA — Brunswick native Damion Hunt was born with a passion for the Medina County Fair Demolition Derby. Hunt wrote the latest chapter of a story that covers four generations and more than 35 years Friday when he competed in a 2005 Mercury Grand Marquis. His great-grandfather, Norman, started the tradition, passed it on to son Dave, who then did the same with his son, Dave Jr. Damion picked up the mantle in 2014 and has competed each year since. "It's been in the family for decades," Hunt said. "My dad has run it for the last 20 years, his dad ran it and his dad's dad ran it. It's one of those family traditions that has been passed down from one father-son duo to the next." The experience extends well beyond the actual time in front of the audience. The best memories are made in the garage. After acquiring the Grand Marquis from Facebook Marketplace in January, Hunt, his father, grandfather, friends and uncles spent their free time over the next 4-5 months getting the car ready for competition. "We started in January and worked all the way up through May until Maple City (Madness in Norwalk) that we ran," Hunt said. "You get to spend a lot of time with family and good buddies that come in and help all the time. "Hours after work, it's almost like a part-time job. It's the greatest feeling after you get done building the thing to step back and take a look at what you created." Hunt, a 25-year-old graduate of the Medina County Career Center, fell in love with the sport as soon as he first competed. After that, no other hobby can compare to the screaming motors and the chance to run right at other drivers. "After you've run it for the first time, it's one of those things that you can't scratch with anything else," Hunt said. "The adrenaline rush, the time spent on these things and the new skills you learn. "You take these cars and transform them into something completely different and learn from that build onto the next." His love only grew after the first time he tasted victory, competing in the compact car class in 2016. He proved he was a quick study, taking first in just his third derby. "It was a surreal moment," Hunt said. "It was absolutely fantastic to be the last guy running after all is said and done. You're the guy that gets to drive out, get the trophy and the interview. After all the work, that's just the biggest payoff." In order for Hunt to compete this year', his dad had to make a sacrifice when the car Hunt planned to run ran into a transmission issue. That meant a step up in size to the motorswap class over the compact class that the youngest Hunt competitor is most familiar with. The motorswap class is one of six adult and eight overall classes offered for the fan-favorite event. The total prize money on the line for all of the classes was between $17-18,000. The car had a special meaning for Hunt and his dad for another reason. "This May (my dad and I) ran in a team show in the same heat for the first time," Hunt said of the derby at Maple City. "That was absolutely amazing. You don't usually get to do a lot of cool things in the same heat." While Hunt was very appreciative of the help he had from his family and friends, someone who was not in attendance played the most pivotal role. His fiancée, Haylee, was home taking care of their 3-year-old son, Grayson. "Without her, none of this is possible," Hunt said. "Without her, you don't have the time to do anything else." Contact John Urchek at jurchek@medina-gazette.com.