Editor’s note: First Place winners who desire a complimentary copy of their trophy photo should email webmaster@thecity1.com. Include division and driver name.
In the newly constructed Whiteside County Fair Grandstand all reserved seats, as well as separate bleachers, were filled with attendees eager to watch the Demolition Derby.
Ninety-four cars entered in five classes, at the 150th Sesquicentennial fair. Rob Mahnesmith of Chillicothe, brought “Robbo’s EXTREME Derby Promotions,” skillfully managing the mania for a fourth year. Mahnesmith began in 2017. The 2020 WCF was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Event Sponsors were Community State Bank, Morrison, and Joe Gensini Excavating, Hennepin, who oversees the current Main Street Renovation project. Medical personnel from Morrison Fire Department and Morrison Community Hospital-Med14 Ambulance were put to use during the event. Whiteside County Sheriff Deputies and Mounted Patrol, and Morrison Police Department Officers were in place. These support staff assisted with injuries/health issues on track and in stands, controlled crowd behavior, escorted some out of the Fairgrounds, and helped locate a temporarily lost child.
Another critical team handled moderately-heavy equipment, by removing “hung up” drivers, out-of-play vehicles, and track debris. Below, the Compact Weld division–with only seven entries–came to a tangled halt. Involved in a four-car pile-up were 57% of the cars! At left, #3 Scott Lundeen (DIFD) was pinned under #55 Willie Davis (green), who was jammed between #474 Scotte Perry (back) and #327 Joey Kuehl (front.)
For such occasions, eight area businesses supplied skid steers: Jason Bush Trucking, Fenton; Bobcat of Dixon; Steve Kuehl Trucking, Morrison; (Jimmy) Pell Farms, Fulton; Kenny Stralow, Morrison); Strategic Land Management, LLC (Sterling); (Dave) Wherry Bros. Trucking, Inc., Fulton. Three tow trucks were on hand from Hunter Body Shop (Morrison); Midwest Collision & Towing (Fulton, IL); Slim-N-Hank’s Auto Body Shop (Sterling.)
Fair Superintendents Rob Vegter and Mike Wiersema invited Danielle Decker, Morrison, to sing “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Her voice was exquisite! She exhibited “authentic presence” (emotion); full, clear enunciation; perfect pitch, tone, and volume; natural phrasing (passion and emotion.) Decker leads Praise and Worship at 180 Church in Sterling.
POWER WHEELS DERBY
Prior to the main attraction, Power Wheels Derby began with seven drivers; ages three-to-“eight or nine” are eligible. Generally, they drive around for several minutes, some tapping into another vehicle, some sitting still, until a track man stops the action. Little motorized vehicles are pulled or driven and positioned side-by-side. A flagman waves the green flag, and children race toward him. One speedy child became the Sesquicentennial Power Wheels Champion: Lane Tomere (passenger was Gage Harris.) Other wee drivers were Aspen Hines; Brantley Judd; Branson Shepard; Scott Shepard, Jr.; Bryleigh Wyatt; Lincoln Wyatt.
21-27/ SATURDAY DEMO DERBY
On Saturday, August 21, 2021, Dave Harris took first place over 30 opponents, in the Open Full Wire division, to conclude the 150th Annual Whiteside County Fair’s Demolition Derby.
Full Size Weld–Ron Dykeman had a lone opponent, but he went home with the $500 purse plus $100 for earning the “Mad Dog” award (brown trophy.) At left is promoter Mahnesmith; a Robbo’s EXTREME Derby Promotions crew member holds the winning checkered flag.
1. Ron Dykeman; 2. Skyler Bethel
Compact Weld–Austin Cover fended off six drivers, avoided the pile-up shown above, and received $500 in prize money. Joey Kuehl won $100 as the “Mad Dog.”
1. Austin Cover; 2. Scott Ferry; 3. Seth Lundeen; 4. Willie Davis; 5. Joey Kuehl
Mini Vans/SUVs–Zach Dewey, at right, secured a $1200 prize for surviving action from 19 other entrants. A crowded track necessitated a halt in the play, to remove those no longer in motion. Chase Hubbard received “Mad Dog” status and $100.
1. Zach Dewey; 2. Hailey Castillo; 3. Brad Call; 4. Sam Jones; 5. Jason Hernandez
Open Wire Compacts–Allen Wright, at right, earned $1200 after competition with 31 drivers. As soon as ten cars were disabled, action paused until they were removed. That allowed a bit more room to maneuver. Recipient of the “Mad Dog” title and $100 was Tommy Fortune.
1. Allen Wright; 2. Tommy Fortune; 3. Jayden Muntean; 4. Damon Miller 5. Joey Fortune
Open Full Wire–Dave Harris competed in two heats, due to a field of 31 drivers. It was a drawn-out procedure, with cars that were lined five abreast across the track, like a parking lot. Many were trapped in corners, too. A two-man contest ended after several, tedious minutes of back-and-forth nudging between Harris and Brett Lacroix. Harris persisted and won $2000. Shown at the end of this article is Open Full Wire class “Mad Dog” recipient Chad Young with Rob Mahnesmith.
1. Dave Harris; 2. Brett Lacroix; 3. Keith Wiersma; 4. Zach Tomier; 5. Greg Blasdell
