The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Are you ready for a rip-roarin', mud-flyin', metal-twistin' good time? The Demolition Derby revs into action this Sunday afternoon at the Pineroot Raceway. "It kind of gives the whole town something to look forward to," says co-organizer Ed Nowlin. "This event has been going on for quite a while." Drivers will compete in four regular heats and two consolation rounds. Also on tap are the powder puff event for women, the mechanics' event for those who work with cars for a living, and the ever-anticipated main event. There will be a noisy but welcome addition to the usual line-up if there are enough registrants for the proposed four-cylinder car event. As gravel flies and smoke billows from the dirt pit at the centre of the raceway, the objective of each heat will be simple: have the last vehicle running. Hundreds of dollars in prizes and trophies are up for grabs, but for many drivers, that is secondary. "The actual goal is to just get out there and have some fun," says Nowlin. "If you win, it's a bonus. It's not a big paying money event." Firefighters will be on hand to ensure none of the machines pose a fire threat. As in previous years, the beat-up automobiles will be adorned with colourful logos and slogans. A number of the vehicles have been spotted around the area in recent weeks. The derby typically features 16 to 18 vehicles ranging in age from one to three decades. Nowlin thinks participation may be down this year in part because it appears increasingly difficult to find the older, still-operable cars that drivers rely on. But he won't know the actual tally until Sunday and would love to be proven wrong. "It doesn't take a long time to get a car ready," he explains. "You can have a car ready fairly decent within anywhere from two days to a week and you get out there and have some fun." Registration will take place at 11 a.m., with heats to start at approximately 12 noon. Admission will be charged for spectators 12 and over. The Pineroot Raceway is located along the North Star Road outside of city limits. Nowlin notes that anyone wishing to join the Flin Flon Dirt Track Racing Association, which hosts the derby, may contact him at 687-7394, Ron Draper at 687-5890 or Greg McBratney at 687-4117 for more information.
