Minivans are good for a few things. However, the sliding-door family haulers don’t feature very much in the performance and racing. But that doesn’t mean that a handful of wild, creative drivers can go full-send in a retired van. Enter Van Prix, an unhinged racing experience featuring, you guessed it, minivans. 

The ‘Van Prix’ sends minivans vaulting over ramps and smashing back down to the ground

Have you ever been to a demolition derby? Rather than lapping a circuit of tight corners or screaming around an oval track, cars will purposely crash into each other. The more damage, the better. Well, Van Prix isn’t exactly a demolition derby, but it is a showcase of absolute carnage.

Minivans will drive around tracks like other styles of racing. However, portions of the track incorporate ramps. So what happens when a Ford Aerostar, Dodge Caravan, Honda Odyssey, or Chrysler Pacifica meets a ramp at speed? Pretty much what you’d expect.

As wild as it sounds, some participants will send their vans 60 or more feet. In fact, Jim York reportedly sent his minivan soaring 63 feet down the track. However, as you might imagine, a lengthy jump isn’t exactly survivable for most of these minivans. Many of the vans fall apart upon landing. You won’t see that at a Formula 1 race. 

Better yet, the commentary proves that people want to see more high-flying van action. One viewer commented, “A [Toyota] Previa would be awesome to see. Mid-engine and aerodynamic. Probably would survive the landing too.” Another fan pointed out the event’s silliness, saying “This is one of the most American things we have ever seen.”

Beyond those comments, we can agree that old minivans belong in events like these. One commenter expressed gratitude that the flying vans aren’t historic vehicles. “Glad people are wrecking these instead of classics.”

Check out a video of the racing antics below!