Competition ‘heats’ up at derby

16 years ago
By Kathy McCarty  
Staff Writer

    PRESQUE ISLE – Beginning with a ‘crazy-eight’ pattern, then moving into regular heats, the Demolition Derby at this year’s Northern Maine Fair offered a lot of excitement for the hundreds of spectators packed into the grandstand.

    Winning the distinction of last car running during the grand finale, and thus winning the event, was Derek Finnemore in car 17.
    The evening got under way with Heat 1, featuring a course shaped like the number eight. Milo Haney, in car 5, finished in seven minutes 48 seconds and went on to the grand finale. In second was Bob Anderson, driving car 4, who finished in seven minutes 56 seconds to continue to the final round. Also making it to the finale was Derek Finnemore, in car 17, who placed third. Mikeal Engstrom, in car 26, and Brian Pelletier, in car 22, didn’t finish.
    Heat 2 began the regular format for this year’s derby, with cars aligned back to back in two rows. Justin Burby, in car 65, and Bob Anderson, in car 3, tied for ‘last car moving,’ each winning $50 and the right to take part in the grand finale.
    “Joseph Silliboy, driving car 33, was chosen by the judges to go on to the grand finale as well,” said Andrea Bard-Smith, one of the event organizers.
    Also competing in Heat 2 were Milo Haney, car 21, Alan Holmes, car 83, and Stephen Nason, car 10.
    Action continued for the drivers in Heat 3. Carl Johnston, in car 724, and Steven Holmes, in car 55, tied for ‘last car moving,’ with each receiving $50 and the right to advance to the grand finale.
    “Scott Cyr, in car 813, was chosen by the judges to go on to the final round as well,” said Bard-Smith.
    Competitors in Heat 2 also included: Michael Thompson, in car 177; Derrick McAfee, in car 88; Mike Perkins, in car 01, Larry Burby, in car 19; and Mark Howe, in car 42.
    This year’s Free For All (for any car that didn’t make the grand finale already) saw Stephen Nason take top honors, being named ‘last car moving’ in car 10, winning $100 and advancing to the grand finale.
    “Brian Pelletier, car 22, was chosen by the judges for second place and went on to the grand finale. Scott Cyr, in car 813, was chosen by the judges for third place and advanced to the final,” said Bard-Smith.
    A total of 12 cars were scheduled for the grand finale, but Cyr was unable to get his car running for the final round. Finnemore, in car 17, took home the top prize of $1,000. Burby, in car 65, followed in second, winning $700. Third place went to Anderson, in car 4, winning $500. Fourth place went to Haney’s car 5, who took home $400.
    Rounding out the awards were: Haney’s car 21, taking home $300 for fifth place; Johnston, car 724, placed sixth for a $200 prize; Silliboy, car 33, placed seventh and took home $100. Winning $50 for their efforts were: Anderson, car 3, who placed eighth; Steven Holmes, car 55, who finished ninth; Nason, car 10, in 10th; and Pelletier, who placed 11th, in car 11.
    Gift certificates and trophies went to participants of the Prettiest Car competition, including: Johnston, with a multi-colored sedan, circa 1960s design, who took top prize; as well as Alan Holmes, with a thunderbolt-themed station wagon; Steven Holmes, whose sedan featured a flame motif; Thompson, with an autographed sedan; and Silliboy, gaining attention with a school-bus yellow sedan.
    Bard-Smith credited the many sponsors and businesses that provided equipment, staff and more to make this year’s event a success.
    “Katahdin Trust was a major sponsor this year. The Aroostook Centre Mall and Lawson Products sponsored the Prettiest Car competition. McGillan Construction, Adam Walton Construction, Buck’s Construction each provided loaders and operators to help with cleanup between heats. The Presque Isle Fire Department and Crown Ambulance each had crews on hand in case of emergencies. The Star-Herald once again covered the event,” said Bard-Smith. “And, of course, thanks goes out to all the people who come and support the Northern Maine Fair.”

 

ImageStaff photo/Kathy McCarty
    DEREK FINNEMORE’S CAR 17 wasn’t the prettiest car but was good enough to take home first place this year.

 

 

 

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    PATTI CROOKS, a former derby driver and emcee for this year’s Demolition Derby, speaks with Steven Holmes, of Wade, during the prettiest car competition.

 

 

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    LYNWOOD WINSLOW, president of the Northern Maine Fair Association, stands by as Patti Crooks tells the grandstand audience about the 50/50 drawing at this year’s derby. Bruce Daigle, of Presque Isle, was named the lucky winner, splitting the 50/50 jackpot and taking home just over $1,000 for purchasing a ticket during the show.

 

 

 

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    JOSEPH SILLIBOY, winner of the Houlton Demolition Derby, had to deal with a couple of small fires in his car, aptly named “Smokin’ Joe.” Silliboy made it to the grand finale, finishing seventh.

 

 

 

ImageStaff photo/Kathy McCarty
    GOOD SPORTS – Milo Haney and Alan Holmes shake hands at the end of their heat during this year’s Demolition Derby, showing sportsmanship is alive and well in Aroostook County.

 

 

 

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    JUSTIN BURBY and Scott Cyr, pictured with Cyr’s car, check out their competition prior to this year’s Demolition Derby at the Northern Maine Fair.

 

 

ImageStaff photo/Kathy McCarty
    PRETTIEST CAR contestants wait for the judges’ results. Pictured, from left: Michael Thompson, Steven Holmes, Alan Holmes and Joseph Silliboy.