First of all,the Chrysler Imperial has a truck chassis - far heavier and thicker than a regular car body. Most demolition derby competitions don't allow it - it's simply too powerful. The Chrysler Imperial, '64 through '67, is the hardest car ever made for the general public. As older cars with standard carburetors, distributors, and other traditional mechanical systems become scarce, it will become more and more difficult for newcomers to enter the sport. Such competitors make up a significant percentage of the field in most events. Newer engines are too complex for nonprofessionals to tinker around with, and once stripped of all the pollution control devices in preparation for a demolition derby, the newer engines run very poorly - or sometimes not at all - in the hands of casual competitors. This technology has improved air quality in recent years, but as any backyard mechanic knows, the days of doing your own tune-ups have all but ended.

Emission control standards have given rise to computerized ignition modules, oxygen sensors, and other sophisticated pollution control devices on auto engines.

Already the laws governing automotive technology for emissions control and fuel efficiency are impacting demolition derby in the United States. If trends in American and British environmental law follow those in Europe, a generation from now there may be specific restrictions on demolition derbies. And reports from England indicate that banger racing and demolition derby are - for now - both thriving. Luckily for American demo derby competitors and fans, the current popularity of auto racing and other events such as monster truck racing make the idea of restricting motor sports based on environmental grounds almost unthinkable. In Europe, concerns over these pollutants have led to legislation preventing the growth of the sport.

Additionally, large clouds of unfiltered exhaust are released into the atmosphere, because catalytic converters and other pollution control devices are stripped off the cars prior to competition. In the course of competition, gasoline, oil, transmission fluid and anti-freeze are routinely spilled onto the ground. While not an imminent threat to demolition derbies in this country, environmental laws have outlawed events in France, the Netherlands, and Germany.

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