We've all heard of banger racing or demolition derbies, but have you heard of Caravan Banger Racing or the Carvandalism Demolition Derby? Unsurprisingly, not one of the UK's most famous motorsports, but the races are remarkably entertaining and often far better attended that your average lower league football match.

Banger racing has been around since the 1960s after shrewd British promoters noticed that the crashes seemed to be more popular with spectators than any other aspect of the race. However, Demolition Derbies have been popular in the USA since the 1930s and perhaps earlier. With the British passion for motorsports coupled with our enthusiasm for towing caravans (and widespread driver annoyance at being stuck behind one) it was only a matter of time before we got them down to the race track and gave them a damn good thrashing.

No one could have anticipated the carnage that would be involved in a dozen or so cars and their caravans attempting to navigate a small race circuit at high speed. As the cars battle for positions their poor caravans are obliterated behind them leaving wreckage and debris all over the track, which causes more caravan pile ups. The rules are simple: there are no rules. Actually that's not quite true, as there is one rule. The only rule is that if you want to win the race you must be towing at least something when you cross the finish line. The chances of this being a fully intact caravan are next to nothing, but after smashing through someone's lovely mobile living room it's a wonder if your car is still in once piece let alone your caravan. Watch a whole race with 'smashing' commentary here.

These events aren't as niche as you might think either. Richard Hammond raised interest in caravan and motorhome racing when he raced a Ford Midas around Essex Raceway. You can also find caravan bangers races at Hednesford, Aldershot, Skegness, Yarmouth, Pr1mo Northampton and Ipswich race circuits. Caravandalism at Mendips Raceway deserves a special mention firstly because of its excellent name, and secondly because of the extra chaos involved as they insist that all caravans are towed by the ever reliable, always unstable, rolling Reliant Robins.

So if you've got an old caravan sitting around unused, or you want to enact some revenge on those pesky portable living rooms that have been holding you up on country roads for years, then apply to get involved at one of your local caravan banger races. You may not be surprised to discover that you will of course need special caravan insurance to attend one of these events. While no insurer will cover the self-inflicted destruction that you bestow on your caravan, you will need insurance for transporting the old caravan to the event (taking it home usually isn't necessary) and of course to cover any personal injury. Make sure that you contact a caravan specialist insurance company like Shield Total Insurance before applying to race.

Paul McShane - 5 Aug 2014