“Crash, bang, smash ’em up. It’s smash up time, my friend.”

– Kenner SSP Smash Up Derby television ad (1970)

I tromped on the accelerator but nothing happened. I stepped on it harder and the back tires howled. I could see steam (or was it smoke) rising up from the rear of the car. I tried putting the car in reverse with the same result.

“Look out!” I heard someone yell.

The new guy can do it! That seemed a given during my first year in radio. If there was something risky to be attempted, I got volunteered. On this occasion, a local group had been advertising a demolition derby and, to show support, the station (in partnership with the local auto salvage yard) agreed to sponsor a car in the derby. When the organize...

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