They’re usually tasked with keeping the peace. But this month, a group of Orange County mayors, police and fire chiefs, and even Sheriff Don Barnes, stepped into the arena with a very different mission: to stir up some chaos.
The official mayhem went down at the Orange County Fair demolition derby on July 30 and 31. The all-star driver lineup included:
- Anaheim Police Chief Rick Armendariz
- Costa Mesa Fire Chief Dan Stefano
- Costa Mesa Interim Police Chief Joyce LaPointe
- Costa Mesa Mayor John Stephens
- Fountain Valley Interim Police Chief Rodney Cox
- Fullerton Fire Chief Adam Loeser
- Fullerton Police Chief Jon Radus
- Huntington Beach Fire Chief Eric McCoy
- Laguna Beach Fire Chief Niko King
- Laguna Beach Mayor Alex Rounaghi
- Laguna Beach Police Chief Jeff Calvert
- Newport Beach City Councilmember Erik Weigand
- Newport Beach City Councilmember Sara Weber
- Newport Beach Councilmember Noah Blom
- Newport Beach Fire Chief Jeff Boyles
- Newport Beach Mayor Joe Stapleton
- Orange City Fire Chief Sean deMetropolis
- Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes
It was all for a good cause. Started by Southside Towing owner Dave Padua more than a decade ago, the two-night event raises money for Children’s Hospital of Orange County.
The derby’s charitable nature didn’t preclude some good old fashioned rivalry though. Mayors Stephens and Stapleton were locked in a fierce battle for Last Man Standing in the figure-8 challenge.
“I do feel a bit as if I’m racing against Ricky Bobby and they’re going to do some kind of shake ‘n bake maneuver to give Joe Stapleton the trophy,” Stephens quipped beforehand, referencing the 2006 racing comedy “Talladega Nights.”
Turns out it was Laguna Beach’s match to lose. The figure-8 championship was won by Mayor Rounaghi.
Once the dust settled, the drivers returned to their chambers and command posts knowing they’d helped children in need. And when it came to rallying for a good cause, they absolutely crushed it.