Record turnout for demo derby

 

September 9, 2021

Miriah Kardelis

CREWS RETRIEVE a car that went over the barricade in the arena at the demolition derby Sunday evening. A sold-out crowd of nearly 4,000 people attended the Sanders County Fair event.

Crowds gathered Sunday night at the Sanders County Fairgrounds in Plains as the demolition derby returned after last year's cancellation due to COVID-19. Drivers from Montana, Idaho, North Dakota and Washington put on a show for the sold-out event over Labor Day Weekend.

Fair Manager Melissa Cady said out of 65 drivers who signed up to compete, 34 showed up to participate in Sunday evening's event.

While the derby has proven to be a favorite every year, this year, the event sold out at 3,929 tickets. "We almost always sell out every year anyways, but this is definitely a record," Cady said.

There were four heats at this year's derby, three of which were limited weld heats, according to derby promotor Tim Denson. These heats, Denson says, allow the drivers to do limited welding on their cars. The other heat is referred to as a chain class heat.

"You take out all the breakables and bendables of a running car, chain everything together and go derby it," Denson said.

The winners of each heat then went on to compete in the main and final event. Paige Carney of Arlee brought home the grand prize of $10,000.

This was Denson's first year as derby promotor and said after participating in the derby and winning in his hometown of Plains in 2018, said he wanted to help out as the derby was struggling with finding participants.

While Denson said there were a few hiccups along the way with organizing the event, he's happy with the turnout and will be returning next year.

"It was very stressful this first year, but it was great that we were able to pull it off," he said. "Everybody seemed really happy with it."

During intermission, a wood carving from chainsaw carver Steven Higgins was auctioned off. The piece sold for $4,725. Cady says 70% of the total earnings will go to Higgins and the remainder will go to the fairgrounds.

Cady says she was happy with the turnout after last year's cancellation. "I think we are all ready to get back to a normal life," she said.

 

Reader Comments(0)

 
 

Powered by ROAR Online Publication Software from Lions Light Corporation
© Copyright 2024