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Jul 25, 2023

Demolition derby promises smashing time in Camp Verde 

The annual Redneck Round-Up Demolition Derby and Motorcycle Barrel Race fundraiser for Valley Academy Career and Technology Education will return to the Camp Verde Equestrian Center at 1495 Hideout

The annual Redneck Round-Up Demolition Derby and Motorcycle Barrel Race fundraiser for Valley Academy Career and Technology Education will return to the Camp Verde Equestrian Center at 1495 Hideout Arena Lane on Saturday, Aug. 19. The gates will open at 5 p.m., with the preshow starting at 6 p.m. and the main event getting underway at 7 p.m.

“We’ve added [a] lawnmower race this year,” VACTE Superintendent Bob Weir said, explaining the changes to this year’s event. “As well as we do the hardest hitter for each of the classifications. Then also the best paint job for overall in the derby cars and trucks. So many people paint them up really neat.”

Weir added that the Redneck Round-Up is an example of VACTE’s instructional methods for Verde Valley students.

“We’re a public high school, just like Mingus, Sedona and Camp Verde,” Weir said. “Except we only teach vocational education courses. Kids don’t graduate from us. But all of our credits go back to the local high schools, charter schools and homeschools for graduation.”

“All of our kids help put the Redneck Round-Up on,” Weir said. “They’ll be the ones taking tickets and serving the food. We actually helped set the event up. We bring in the concrete blocks and put on the inside of the area so it protects the fence. United Rental donates us a skid steer and a forklift to move the items and also my teacher is certified as a national trainer. So our kids come out certified in rough terrain, forklift and skid steer national certification.”

VACTE, formed in 2001, is one of fourteen career and technical education districts in the state and currently offers the Verde Valley programs in certified nursing assistance, construction, culinary arts, fire science, law enforcement, phlebotomy, pre-engineering and teacher training.

“I just started cosmetology this year,” Weir said. “That’s a very pricey program, but we got 26 kids in it. Which is way cheaper than what they would have paid if they went to a private school.”

The students will be running a concession stand with hamburgers, hot dogs and Hawaiian ice. The Camp Verde Arena Association, which is partnering with VACTE to put on the event, will also have vendors on site.

“Proceeds benefit students in the Verde Valley [and] in Sedona,” Weir said. “We use that money to go on our national trips and [to] take trips. We sent 12 kids to Atlanta for SkillsUSA. Last year, we sent 10 kids to Florida for ED Rising … Plus, we did a lot of events around the state. It helps pay for the motels, meals and entertainment for the kids. So it all goes back to the kids.”

Purchasing tickets early is encouraged, because last year’s event did reach capacity and people had to be turned away. Tickets can be purchased online at redneckderby.ticketleap.com/vacte or at local retailers Camp Verde Feeds, Casey’s Cowboy Shop and D & K Service Cycle & ATV.

Participants in the motorsports events such as the demolition derby or lawnmower race can sign up until 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 19.