15-28 / SATURDAY DEMO DERBY
The 6:30 p.m. Demolition Derby on Saturday, August 22, 2015, drew a huge crowd, concluding events at the 145th Annual Whiteside County Fair. ERRJR Demo Promotions, Inc., owned by Gene Ryan, Sterling, IL, was the promoter. Community State Bank, with five area locations, was the sponsor. Winners of the first five placings received money; the first three placers also earned trophies. There were 45 entries in five classes.
“Numbers are down,” stated Ryan, but “we have two times the number of cars as other [nearby] derbies [had this year].” The top 24 drivers represented 13 Illinois towns.
Each year, prior to the final class, show promoter Ryan calls his track team to array before the grandstand. They are always acknowledged for prompt, expert release and removal of cars or debris and for grooming the track before, between, and after heats. Wreckers included Hunter Body Shop and Towing, Morrison; Midwest Collision, Fulton; Slim-n-Hank’s Auto Body Shop, Sterling and Dixon, who did the heavy lifting and hauling. Skid loaders and Bobcats were manned by M & D Excavating, Rock Falls, IL; Mike’s Lawn and Equipment, Rock Falls, IL; Pell Farms, Fulton; Ryan’s Tree Service, Inc., Sterling.
For a second year, Ryan “pranked” one of his track flaggers, Kyle Marsden, by requesting Morrison Community Hospital EMS personnel to check his pulse. Last year Marsden worked with his arm in a sling. Left to right are Butch Nimmick, Clinton, IA; Marsden; Ryan; Nate Stepp, Chadwick, IL.
The announcer read a prepared statement that took everyone by surprise. It began, as usual, with thanks to the fans, drivers, Fair Board, and extensive helpers. Then came this: “ERRJR Demo Promotions, Inc. has been here for the last 13 years, and this is our last.”
After the final race and Wild Driver award, cars, fair goers, and equipment drivers dispersed. Ryan and his ERRJR team gathered for a group photo.
Editor’s note: Photos show the first three winners in order, except for the Mid-Size class. Third place winner John Wright, Lyndon, was not available for his photograph.
Full Weld
1. Steven Kuehl, Morrison; 2. C. J. Ravel, Rock Falls; 3. Jake Benters, Morrison; 4. Evan Mahoney, Morrison
Trucks
1. Kurt Blackburn, Rock Falls; 2. Chris Senn, Amboy; 3. Robert Edwards, Polo; 4. Chris Cadie, Chana; 5. Matthew McManus, Erie
Compact
1. Tanner Hall, Cordova; 2. Travis Klien, Savanna; 3. Logan Dornbush, Albany; 4. Tyler Klein, Savanna; 5. Travis Rilenour, Savanna
Full Wire Class–13 entries
1. Scott Shepard, Morrison; 2. Clint Shepard, Morrison; 3. Chris Thyne, Morrison; 4. Cody Reaver, Sterling; 5. Jason Dykema, Kewanee
Midsize–17 entries
1. Tanner Hall, Cordova; 2. Bob Bertolozzi, Rock Falls; 3. John Wright, Lyndon (unavailable for photo); 4. Butch Helfrich, Dixon; 5. Jamie Bertolozzi, Rock Falls
Tyler Klien, Savanna, earned the final “Wild Driver” Jake Marsden Award, the memorial trophy dedicated to Kyle’s and Missy’s son. Ryan began this award a decade ago, to honor his late friend.
