Pictured Top L-R: Full size winner, Darrel Gatzke, Minis winner, Willy Kress. Bottom L-R: Chain and Bang Winner, Bobby Paules, Powder Puff winner, Erica Morrison. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Summer tradition

Demo Derby a smash success for Battlefords Ag. Society

Jul 25, 2023 | 8:45 AM

More than 2,000 people came out to the Battlefords exhibition grounds Saturday, to take in the smash and crash of the 38^th Annual Demolition Derby in North Battleford.

Put on by the Battlefords Ag. Society, this marked the third year since the Demo Derby branched off to become its own event separate from the summer exhibition, back in 2021.

Co-organizer Blair Walker said they couldn’t have asked for a better turnout or show this year.

“It was a great turnout, I think we had over 2,000 people come out again this year which was awesome and a little bit of showers but it didn’t last too long, so it was great,” he said.

“We’ve had a lot of people come back who have been [competing] for 16 years, 13 years, and it’s great to see the new people come in and try new events too. Hopefully we’ll just see even more get involved next year.”

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A look in at some of the drivers and vehicles that competed at the 38th Annual North Battleford Demo Derby. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Among the newer events to really stand out were the ‘80s Chain and Bang’ added this year, and ‘Minis’ event featuring smaller, more compact cars, implemented last year.

“It was a huge hit,” Walker said of the Chain and Bang. “I think the crowd loved all the hits and I think the biggest [success] of all had to go out to the Minis. The day was just awesome, the crowd was great, they were really engaged and we couldn’t do it without all the volunteers and all the people who came out.”

North Battleford local, Darrel Gatzke, who entered the day coming off a first place finish earlier in the summer in Moosomin, won first place in Full-Size Cars with his black ’82 Chevy Caprice, decorated with splashes of red, green and yellow.

“I drove hard, drove smart and tried to play out everybody else and came out to the end,” the derby veteran now in his seventh year said, adding, “It takes a lot of teamwork building the cars and driving, and it’s all strategy.”

Fellow Battlefords local, Vaughn Fauth, was among those competing in his first Demo Derby, after having watched the event over the years. He said competing was always something he wanted to try.

“Growing up going to the fair, the derby was always the highlight and I always wanted to go in one,” Fauth said. This year things just lined up right for the opportunity and I had an old car laying around and figured ‘let’s go smash it.’

“Right at the start it was a little intimidating, but about two seconds after that horn, I was like ‘I was meant to do this,’” he added with a laugh. “What a rush! It is just exciting chaos.

“I can’t wait to do it again.”

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1