Staff writer
Arguably the favorite part of the county fair is the Saturday evening wrap-up demolition derby.
Stands were packed with watchers eager to see cars ram into each other until a victor emerged still able to drive his car.
Five minutes before the race began, Hillsboro firefighters had to scramble down D St. when a pickup caught fire at Coach Lite Carwash a block away.
Additional firefighters from Burns, Goessel, Peabody, Ramona, Herington, and Florence, plus Hillsboro ambulance were on hand for the event.
Before the race began, drivers and pit crews readied cars for the derby, making final adjustments to vehicles.
Robin Ebersole said his team got involved in demolition derbies 15 years ago “because it’s a blast.” He goes to six or seven a year.
Phillip Terrell of Lehigh, who drove a 1993 Buick Roadmaster, said he loved derbies for the adrenaline rush.
“That, and I haven’t grown up yet,” Terrell said.
Matt Foth of Hillsboro drove a 1981 Chrysler. He’s been involved in derbies since he was 15.
“It’s a generational thing,” he said. “My dad did it. I did it.”
Parker Schutte of Lehigh has raced for five years. For him, it also is a family tradition.
“My family has always done it,” Schutte said.
Cameron Vandusen of Valley Center often travels for derbies. After the first heat, his radiator was leaking, and a tire was flat.
Eight cars jockeyed up to begin racing figure 8’s in the first race. Flying clods showered the crowd as spectators cheered for their favorite drivers.
When the race was over, one car had to be removed by a tractor.
In the compact division, two cars were eliminated quickly. Another was hammered by several others that steered over to smash into it again.
The bumper fell off, and fluid spewed from the radiator. Firefighters picked up the bumper and moved it outside a berm.