Ladies Claim Derby Bragging Rights

Ladies and gentlemen start your – partially gutted, mirrors and glass removed, gas tanks secured in the back seat, and seatbelts installed – engines.

Nine restored wrecks made their way into the tractor tire enforced ring to compete in this year’s Motor Sports Demolition Derby, Aug. 13-14.

Drivers and mechanics competed for cash and bragging rights, in a not so quiet and forgiving manner.

“Girls rocked the derby!” said Nathon Gunsch, Vice President, Motor Sports Demolition Derby Association. The ladies crashed, rear ended and side swiped their way to first and second place.

The old dump site has been home to the event, the carnage and the adrenaline rush for seven years. This year had its tense moments, a seatbelt jammed on first place winner Robin Malcomson at a most inopportune time.

Volunteer fire fighters were on scene both days, ready to settle the dust, douse the flames and assist when needed.

Dj Tangled Tunes, Kim and Cam Norman filled the dusty air with music.

Organizers distributed cool give-aways and attendees jumped in on the gunny sack races during long delays while mechanics tuned cars, and tractors cleared the remains.  

The smell of donuts, cotton candy and cheeseburgers, lured a black bear to the site on Sunday afternoon. They caused no harm and left promptly when a warning shot was fired. “Every year, a curious creature comes looking,” said Nathon.

The volunteer committee registered the lowest number of  full-size car entries in their 15 years. Several last minute cancellations left nine cars to battle it out in three, three car heats.

“We still managed to give away a total of $4300 cash prizes,” said Nathon.

The committee will try some different things to get the numbers increased for next year, explained Nathon.

Volunteers commit 400 hours a year maintaining and cleaning up the site, painting bleachers and prepping the ring for this event.  “We have a lot of support and so many people to thank,” said Nathon.

“There’s something about taking an old car that’s sat for 10-15 years in a farmer’s field and getting it running again,” said Nathon.  Drivers look forward to the derby all year, investing countless hours in preparing their vehicles.

The annual event is held the second weekend of August; planning begins in May.

It’s never too late, or too early, to get involved.  Put that spare space in the garage or backyard to good use.  Find yourself an old wreck and restore it.  Register with Motor Sports Demolition Derby 2012 and legally crash it into your best friend, husband, wife or neighbor and … win some cash.

This year’s Motor Sports Demolition Derby results

This year’s drivers were: Jim MacPhee, Nathon Gunsch, Kent and Robin Malcomson, Jennifer Ay and Dan Tanhouser, all from Fox Creek, Kyle Scobey, from Edson and Renee and Denea Beavdoin and Debra Clifton from Whitecourt.

Robin Malcomson took home the $2500 first grand prize.

Miss Jennifer Ay, best known as ‘Miss Maniac’ earned $1000 second prize.

Jim MacPhee, added $500 to his wallet, placing third. He also won the ‘Hard Luck’ trophy.

Debra Clifton, from Whitecourt, the $100 ‘Powder Puff’ heat winner.

Mechanics took a break from under the hood and jumped into the driver’s seat for their own Mechanics Heat, Corey Snyder, from Lamont claimed $100.

Dave and Tammy Childs, from Whitecourt, claimed the best painted entry with their ‘Smurfs’ car driven by Dan Tonhauser.

 

 Print This Post

Category: Brandi, Other Sports, Sports