DERBY DUO

Edward Barnes and his sister, Autumn Uglow, aren't your typical siblings. They spend their time behind the wheel, crashing and smashing their way through local demolition derbies. And with their combined 23 years of experience – nine years for Edward and 14 for Autumn – they are seasoned veterans in the local derby scene.

Their preparation for the Farmer's Day Demolition Derby started long before the engines revved up on Saturday night. "Stripping everything out, including the seats," is the first step Edward explains, laying out the grueling preparation process that transforms everyday cars into derby-ready monsters. The siblings gut their vehicles, stripping them down to their bare bones before the real work begins - welding, lots of welding. Edward estimated there is about 50 pounds of welding wire on his car.

"We start with the cage," he said.

The cage is crucial because it's what protects the driver when things get wild out. The battery and five gallon gas tank must be protected and secured. According to their father, Edward Barnes, senior demolition derby cars require, "Money, welding, transmissions and engines."

For Edward and Autumn, their vehicle of choice is almost always an AMC model, favoring these compact cars for their personal preference or sometimes simply because it's what fits the budget. Edward's car, dubbed "Triple X," has already seen its fair share of derbies - four, to be exact.

When it takes a beating, Edward doesn't throw in the towel. Body-wise, you can just keep repairing or re-sheeting the car, he explained. Damage to the body can be patched up by welding a piece of sheet metal over the impacted areas. As long as the frame isn't too bent, the car is still good to go. The vehicle can keep going as long as the engine and transmission hold up, too. Autumn's car wears the numbers "555."

Though derby cars are constantly rebuilt and repaired, the goal inside the arena remains simple: take out the competition. Edward is focused on one key target in each derby – the tires.

"The tires are the sweet spot," he says, calling them "the money shot." For front-wheel-drive compacts, taking out the front tires can end a competitor's night immediately. It's the adrenal rush of these moments, of outsmarting opponents and delivering a knockout blow, that keeps Edward coming back for more.

For the Barnes family, demolition derbies are a way of life, a tradition that started in 1982 when Edward and Autumn's father first entered the arena. The siblings grew up watching their dad compete, and it wasn't long before they followed in his footsteps. Now, the rush of the derby is in their blood.

"It's all about the adrenaline," Edward says, but he's quick to admit that the thrill doesn't come without risk. Injuries are part of the sport – cracked ribs, whiplash, and other bumps and bruises are common. But despite the dangers, the Barnes siblings keep coming back.

The stakes are high not only for the adrenaline but also for the rewards. Money and trophies are the primary motivators for any serious derby driver, and Edward and Autumn are no exception. But for Edward, there's an extra layer of excitement – the competitive drive to take out specific rivals. When asked if there's always someone he's gunning for, Edward doesn't hesitate: "Always," he says with a bit of a smile.

As they geared up for this year's Farmer's Day Demolition Derby, Edward, Autumn, and "Triple X" and "555" are ready for another round of wreckage, with engines revving, metal clashing, and the thrill of the crowd pushing them toward victory.