Smashing, crashing, bashing, clashing, mashing, trashing …
Slamming, whamming, ramming …
What on earth is happening? There can only be one answer: the Demolition Derby has gatecrashed the weekend party to leave a monstrous mass of mangled metal.
Hundreds filled the bleachers at the Rodeo Grounds last Friday evening for an ever-popular wreck fest which rang in the Blue Heron Fair with a bang.
It is one event guaranteed to provide a much, much bigger bang for your buck. And this year saw an even greater mix of mayhem, with cars making a welcome return to the fray.
Greg Petruchik and his son, Blair, gave a fine demonstration of motoring madness – and it is hoped other car drivers with follow their example in years to come.
Blair battered his way to victory in the single heat and the final, winning $2,300 for putting car and body in harm’s way.
However, in the father versus son grudge match, it was Dad who won bragging rights, along with $500 and a trophy, leaving honours about even in the Petruchik family.
Most of Friday’s drama was provided by trucks, with the crowd thrilling to three five-truck heats, a final and a monster grudge match in which man and machine were tested to the limits.
In between the chaos, organizers inserted a competition in which a blindfolded lady driver negotiated two barrels with the help of a male passenger. It provided a few light-hearted moments before the mangling of metal rent the air again.
With announcer Steve Lyster calling the action, the first five trucks roared into the arena like rampaging bulls that couldn’t wait to lock horns. Dust and clods of earth went flying as wheels spun in the mud.
Three of the protagonists would end the evening with a pile of booty to go with their bruises. Cash, trophies specially designed out of vehicle parts and beat-up trucks were the reward for their recklessness.
Marlo Mast, from Barrhead Auto Parts, won that first heat and placed second in the final. Mike Driessen came out top in the seven-vehicle grudge match. And Edwin Vangelder was crowned the crushing king after the heat final. He took home $2,000 and a trophy.
Most of all, however, every competitor took away the knowledge and satisfaction that he or she had provided smashing entertainment for a full house. It didn’t matter that their vehicles had been squished beyond recognition.
Friday saw Barrhead’s big bang theory put to the test. Does the crowd cheer loudest for the loudest bangs?
The answer was a high-decibel yes. The theory was proven to be a reality.
