New Book Highlights Brothers that Brought Demolition Derbies to Peterborough

Peterborough journalist Ed Arnold has released a book about Walt and Bill Williams, who brought Trans Canada Hell Drivers and Demolition Derbies to the Peterborough area.

Photo found in Never say Never, signed by Walt Williams

Identical twins Walt and Bill Williams, from London, Ont., always had a knack for entertaining.

They started their careers playing the ukulele, piano and fiddle for admiring audiences. They then graduated to rollerblading, and performing stunts on trampolines. They took their acts all over North America, but it wasn’t until they got an invitation to perform as Hell Drivers at the New York World’s Fair, that their lives changed forever.

The brothers went home to Canada and formed the Trans Canada Hell Drivers and Demolition Derby, which quickly became the best known auto thrill show in Canada.

“We played all the fairs in Canada, and the Peterborough Exhibition was one of the better fairs in it’s day,” said Walt Williams. “ It was an exciting fair, we brought a lot of excitement there.”

Ed Arnold’s new book, Never Say Never, Walt and Bill Williams Story, highlights the brother’s lives and their travels around the world with the Trans Canada Hell Drivers.

“Our biggest thing was making people happy, and making them laugh at the shows,” he said. “ An entertainer always likes the applause.”

The Williams brothers brought the Trans Canada Hell Drivers and demolition derbies to the Peterborough Exhibition for decades.

“Even today the demolition derby is still the biggest drawing card at fairs,” said Williams. “Every fair has them.”

Williams, in his 80’s, has since retired from performing. While COVID-19 has put a stop to his beloved fairs, he says he enjoys getting out to see a show every once in a while.

To purchase Never Say Never, Walt and Bill Williams Story, click here.

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