A look in at some of the drivers and their cars at Saturday's Demo Derby in North Battleford. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Through rain and shine

37th Demo Derby ‘a hit’ for Battlefords Ag. Society

Aug 29, 2022 | 5:00 PM

There may have been an early wrap to the event due to stormy conditions, but even a little rain couldn’t put a damper on a successful 37th Demo Derby for the Battlefords Ag. Society.

This year’s derby featured approximately 20 full-size cars, a pair of minis, and three trucks, with eight power wheels — the children’s event in miniature vehicles — all competing in front of a full grandstand at the North Battleford Exhibition Grounds.

Blair Walker and Tyler Klein were in their first year organizing the Demo Derby, taking on the job with just about a month’s notice.

Walker said the sudden downpour of rain midday notwithstanding, they were very pleased with the event’s strong turnout again this year.

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“With short notice, we really had a great turnout for cars and people,” Walker said. “It was great to see everyone come out, even on a hot day, and then we had the rain at the end, but overall it went really well. We couldn’t do this without the drivers or the people who come out in the crowd. They’re the reason we do this and keep it going.”

Rob Arnold, who took home first place in the Truck Heat, said it’s a year he’ll surely remember.

“The day was good, it was great till the rain came,” Arnold said with a laugh. “Twenty-two years I’ve been at it and I can’t say any year’s been quite like this. […] This was my first year here in North Battleford, I’d never been to this show, but I’ll probably be back again. It was a great show and it was great to see some familiar faces.”

Markell Lang, who won the opening heat of the day and took fourth overall in the final, echoed the sentiment, sighting the strong competition again this year.

“It was hard-hitting, and there’s a lot of aggressive drivers here, so it was a good show and the ring is better now than it used to be, so it helps put on a good show for the crowd,” Lang said.

Driving his green ’75 Ford Meteor Rideau 500, aptly nicknamed ‘The Green Machine’ now in its sixth derby, Lang said he’s already looking ahead to year seven and returning to the North Battleford event in 2023.

“I’ve had this car here a few years now and I can’t kill it I don’t know why, so I guess it’ll be back next year too,” he said with a laugh. “It put on a good show, so it’ll be back.”

Co-organizer, Tyler Klein, said the ag. society team are also already looking forward to next year and building on the event.

“We’d like to get lawnmower races brought in, and we’re bringing in tough trucks next year for sure,” Klein said. “As the years go on and we continue to build that fan base and keep this going we’ll make it bigger.”

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1