ELLSWORTH – Tim “Hollywood” Myer of 715 Motorsports & Promotions is thrilled to be partnering once again with the Ellsworth Funsters for the much anticipated 2024 Demolition Derby, set for 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10 at the Pierce County Fairgrounds.

“It will still be hosted by the Funsters and we will be promoting it gate to gate,” Myer said. “Everything inside is ours. They gave us full reign.”

Last year’s derby caused a community uproar as 715 Motorsports chose to go to a derby at Cedar Lake in New Richmond instead, taking a lot of drivers with them. Myer said the decision wasn’t an easy one as he wanted to be in Ellsworth.

“We had been in contact with the Funsters about putting it on last year,” Myer said. “We told them, you have until Jan. 1 to get your stuff in line and they didn’t. Cedar Lake approached us and I gave the Funsters a warning that if you don’t get signed, we would be going there. So we signed on with Cedar Lake, which was on the same day. There are only so many open dates and unfortunately it just happened to be the same. It was not like we were trying to kick it in the teeth.”

Myer said he’s been derbying for 25 years and the drivers who participate at Ellsworth had said for many years they might switch to another show if there was one. Myer said this was due to a lot of behind-the-scenes stuff drivers didn’t like, such as rules on where drivers could sit in the stands, no kids allowed in the pits, etc.

“Everywhere else we go, there are no restrictions anywhere else. Hopefully this year we will be like other shows,” he said.

This is Myer’s third year of promoting derbies. He said a lot of people who followed 715 to Clear Lake will be coming back to Ellsworth.  

“We will be running five or six different classes, plus a new business class which is really good advertising,” Myer said. “They’ll be in one heat together. Drivers have to work at the business or be a relative.”

Out of the 30 allowed, 27 have already signed up. They already beat the number of cars registered from last year, Myer said. It feels good to be back at his hometown show, he said.

“Sometimes things have to change before eyes are opened,” Myer said. “What do we need to do to get in there and make this a show; there were a lot of cars in years past.”

Myer made clear repeatedly that he’s not taking a shot at anyone. He is happy to be working with the Funsters again and said he and Funster Paul Johnson work well together.

Another perk is the payout has increased dramatically, Myer said, from around $13,000 to $20,000.

“We have drivers from Montana and Pennsylvania who want run out of state and they’ve never ran in Wisconsin and they’ve heard big things about us,” Myer said. “We make it more of a family event. We do a lot of fan interaction. We bring the family together. We throw things out to the fans and get them involved a little bit more. We average anywhere from 60 to 130 cars a show. It changes every time.”

715 is also working with the Pierce County Fair Board to possibly make it so one fee into the fair covers everything, including the derby. That is not for sure, Myer cautioned.

“I want to bring Ellsworth back to what it has been in the past,” Myer said. “I did not to burn bridges. We just wanted to clear the air. What happened last year happened last year and we’re just moving forward.”

This year is the 59^th annual event. It’s always been a family affair for Myer.

“My dad used to do it back in the day and my brother and I have always done it. I’ve had a lot of health issues and I have a child on the way, a daughter,” Myer said. “If I can still stay involved, it’s not as much on my body. We all have things to go home too. It gets very strenuous. My wife and daughter support me. We’ve been together for 20 years and she’s been through it all with me.”

Drivers can register at https://ellsworthfunsters.com/home/demo-derby/, which opened Friday, March 29. Pre-registration will be available through Venmo or online and is $75 up until Aug. 1; after that, the price increases to $125. Pit passes will be available the day of the event at $25 each. Tickets for general admission will go on sale online in the middle of June.

“There’s a class for everyone to enjoy,” Myer said. “Mild builds (that take two hours) to four-month builds.”

Quinn Motors of Ellsworth will be the headlining sponsor for the Point Series and this year the derby starts one hour earlier at 6 p.m. with Power Wheels (ages 3-10) at 5:45 p.m. Each trophy is unique and made locally.

Pit gates will open at 11 a.m. and close at 4:30 p.m. sharp. Cars must be in the tech line by 4:45 p.m., no exceptions. A photo ID and waiver form signature are required at the pit gate. The grandstands open at 3 p.m.

“I want to get it across that we’re here for the long haul,” Myer said. “We’ve mended fences and we just want everyone to come out and join the show. They’re going to get our best. We’re not messing around. We’re here to have fun and put a good show on for the fans.”

715 Motorsports & Promotions is also promoting shows in Roberts June 1, the St. Croix County Fair in Glenwood City July 20 and Boyceville Aug. 17.

For more information, visit https://ellsworthfunsters.com/home/demo-derby/ or find them on Facebook at

https://www.facebook.com/share/7wgpRcD6d4AoH8mH/?mibextid=K35XfP or

https://ellsworthfunsters.com/home/demo-derby/