Rotroff, C. (Chester) Thomas (producer); William Chapman (unit manager/public relations); Fred Kitchen (track manager); Kaye Keiser (personnel director); Pat Kennedy (producing clown); Jerry Miller (advertising)
 
Cavalcade of Thrills (Vintage demolition derby magazines, 1967, 1973)
 
Russell, KY: Rotroff Attractions / Trans-World American, 1963, 1973. Two vintage demolition derby magazines devoted to the Cavalcade of Thrills, an "all-girl" auto daredevil demolition derby. 
 
Produced by Chester Rotroff, who began working in fairs as a sound engineer, by 1959 produced his own shows, like Hollywood Cavalcade, Broadway Scandels, Old Dominican Jamboree and Plantation Caravan. By 1960, Rotroff's "Cavalcade of Thrills" debuts as the only all-girl auto thrill show ever, collaborating w/ the Ford Motor Company, later performances were televised on CBS. The show currently performs at fairs throughout Ohio, managed by Yvona Stahl, a veteran stunt driver of the show. 
 
Each program showcases drivers & other performers, w/ brief biographies, stuns performed, ads, even a 10-point safety statement on what civilians can do on the highways.
 
1967 derby magazine: Ford Mustang logo, Kaye Keiser (ramp-to-ramp in Mustang convertible), Yvona Parker (later Stahl, reverse spins & roll-over maneuvers, first female stunt driver to perform on two-wheels), Jennifer Topa ("Slide for Life": descend from auto through flames), Alice Sexton (rolls, trapeze, "Roman Ride": stands erect on auto through ramps), clowns from Florida Delaware & Dr. Pee Wee (driving Model T's, only male performers), Sandra Fleming (aerial artist), Jean Lee ("Battering Ram": lays on hood & crashes through flames), Sandra Caldwell (featured on CBS-TV Sports Spectacular). Advertisements: B.F. Goodrich Radial 990 tires (tires not released until 1967), Ford Allegro II (an "experimental design car"), Ford C800 Tractor, Pure Oil racing gasoline. 
 
1973 derby magazine: Yvona Parker, Kaye Keiser, Michelle Kennedy ("Roman Ride"),  Delaware & Dr. Pee Wee, Jessica St. John & Diana York (52-ft "Dive Bomber Crash"), Alice Sexton, Bunny Bailey (Keiser's 12-yr old daughter, "Battering Ram"), Sandra Lane" ("Slide for Life"). Advertisements: Ford (Maverick, Mustang, Pinto Runabout), EAZ-LIFT towing systems, Uniroyal Radial Tires, Intrepid trailers.
 
Demolition derbies are an American phenomenon, origins in early 1930s derbies involving the market-saturating Ford Model T; 1960s saw an upswing in audience numbers, forming a subculture & thriving throughout 1980s, a more recent surge in popularity as a result of "monster truck" rallies & alike. Alas, almost nothing is available on the history of women in demolition derbies specifically, an entry at LOC sorely missed. 
 
Both B/W/Red throughout, 22pp, saddle-stapled, 8.5 x 10.75 inches. Very Good, edge creasing, slight roll, moderate foxing, tiny tears to front (1963 issue); Near Fine (1973 issue).  [Book ID 125975] [Magazines]