Articles
Thinking Positively About the Future of the TDA

Thinking Positively About the Future of the TDA

It’s not much of a secret that I haven’t written that much about the TDA this year.  I wrote a couple of columns on the First and Second Night of racing, but that was it.  I started columns about the other races and decided against finishing them.  Because no matter how much fantastic stuff happened...
Thoughts on the TDA's Second Night 2014

Thoughts on the TDA’s Second Night 2014

Saturday night’s TDA event was unusual for several reasons.  Summer is starting to wind down—some kids are going back to school in less than three weeks—the temperatures have been more consistent with early October than mid-July and we’ve had one TDA event.  One!  That June rainout just threw everything off.  I’m starting a petition to...
News & Notes on the TDA's First Night

News & Notes on the TDA’s First Night

These are bits and pieces of information and behind-the-scenes stories that just don’t quite fit elsewhere.  As always, feel free to direct your responses to me at chris at twenty seven and a half dot com, on facebook or contact me at 310.498.1680.  The adjustment to the post-Jason Twite period is rougher than I expected....
First Night Mea Culpa

First Night Mea Culpa

Let’s start this one out with a bang.  I fucked up. I watched the second round race between The Locomotives and Real Steel on Saturday and thought The Locomotives won by 8 inches.  It turns out they actually won by a lap and eight inches. I had help (or lack thereof, depending on your perspective)...
Thoughts on the TDA's First Night 2014

Thoughts on the TDA’s First Night 2014

One of the more unusual aspects of the Team Demolition Derby world is how the season’s first race is generally the most pressure filled race of the year.  Opening Day in baseball is a day to relax and get ready for the impending season; finally, it’s here!  Same with basketball and football.  In the world...
2014 TDA Preview Part 3

2014 TDA Preview Part 3

TEAM 7: THE LOCOMOTIVES The Locomotives are the team that rose from the ashes to replace Reckoning.  The Locomotives were a power team back in the early days of team demo and it’s always nice to have a recognizable name and entity come back. The Locomotives are “Sneaky” Pete Ryan’s team and look to be...
2014 TDA Preview Part 2

2014 TDA Preview Part 2

EDITOR’S NOTE: Since the league itself hasn’t updated any rosters—we miss you, Jason Twite!—this preview is based upon the rosters that I have gleaned from talking to different drivers and people associated with the league.  In short, it’s entirely possible that these ‘teams’ I am previewing are not 100% accurate.  Email me with any corrections...
2014 TDA Preview Part 1

2014 TDA Preview Part 1

* This article was edited to show that Nick Hartung was the 2013 MVP, not Jason Ritacco* It was snowing three days ago, which can mean only one thing: the demo season in Joliet, Illinois is less than a week away.  And with that knowledge, previews are needed! While the 2012-2013 Team Demo Association (TDA)...
Gunning for the 2013 Championship

Gunning for the 2013 Championship

… And then there were the teams gunning for the championship. If you rewind to last off-season, you’ll remember that the TDA officials tweaked the points system for the first time in ages.  Possibly ever.  Gone were the days when all wins were equal.  First round wins were now worth one point, while second and...
Chasing the History Books

Chasing the History Books

The 2013 TDA season is 80% finished, with just one race (unfortunately) remaining.  For a change of pace, absolutely nothing is settled going into Fifth Night.  Unlike recent seasons where the championship has been effectively clinched Fourth Night or some really weird scenario has to occur for a team to come out on top (“We...
2013 Fourth Night Thoughts

2013 Fourth Night Thoughts

UPDATE: This article has been updated to include Mean Green Machine’s Zac VanAllen and John Clemmons’ five finals in twelve nights of racing.  It has also been updated to reflect that Nick and Wally Hartung have six finals appearances, not five.  Updated sections are bolded. Prior to the TDA’s Fourth Night of racing, I was...
2013 Third Night Thoughts

2013 Third Night Thoughts

People have often asked me what my favorite race of the TDA season is.  It always used to be First Night.  The prevailing wisdom for First Night is that no one knows what to expect from the different teams and that anything is possible; it’s been pointed out to me numerous times that during First...