Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE – Experience won out over youthful exuberance, as Alan Holmes, driving car 83, defeated his son, Steven Holmes, in car 55, for the top honor at the last demolition derby of the 2007 season at the Northern Maine Fairgrounds. It was the son who earlier in the year defeated his mother for the win during the derby held fair week in the Star City. The Holmes, of Wade, have definitely proven that a family that plays together, stays together – albeit with a crash, bang, boom, with bumpers crunching, engines revving and rocks flying in all directions.
Alan not only took top honors for the main event of the evening, he proved to have the prettiest car, with car 383 beating out his son’s car, 55, and car 51 driven by Larry Good, winning a $75 Aroostook Centre Mall gift certificate and a trophy. Steven came in second and was presented with $50 from Lawson Products.
The evening began with Heat 1 and six entrants: Phil McLean, car 73; Nicholas McDonald, car 12; Alan Holmes, car 83; Joseph Silliboy, car 34; Robin Holmes, car 77; and Bob Anderson, car 3. Anderson, Alan Holmes and McLean advanced to the grand finale.
Heat 2 saw five looking to advance. Drivers included: Alan Holmes, car 383; Chris Folsom, car 40; Larry Good, car 51; Milo Haney, car 1; and Steven Holmes, car 55. The Holmes father-son duo joined Good in the final event.
Competition then moved on to the final round, with six entrants hoping to be the last with a vehicle running to take the win.
“After much beating and banging, and a fire under Robin’s car that the Presque Isle Fire Department put out, the four victorious cars were: first place – Alan Holmes, in car 83, who received a first-place plaque and a check for $1,500 sponsored by Taco Bell. In second was Steven Holmes and car 55, who received a second-place plaque and a check for $700. Phil McLean, car 73, received a plaque and $500 for finishing third. Anderson, in car 3, took home a plaque and $300 for his fourth-place finish,” said Andrea Bard-Smith, event organizer.
All other cars and their drivers were awarded $50 each.
Spectators also had the opportunity to win some cash.
“The 50/50 drawing was worth $110 and went to a lady visiting from Windsor, Ontario,” said Bard-Smith.
Bard-Smith said although the weather made it a bit damp, everyone seemed to have a good time.
“Despite the inclement weather which made all the cars the same color – mud – everyone had a good time and many of the participants said that we would be seeing them next year,” she said, noting there were several individuals that deserved thanks for making the derby possible.
“We’d like to thank Adam Walton Construction, Buck’s Construction, Caron’s Landscaping and Property Maintenance and McGillan’s for the use of their equipment; the Presque Isle Fire Department for keeping everyone safe; the Aroostook Centre Mall; Lawson Products; and Taco Bell for the first-place prize money,” said Bard-Smith. “Thanks also goes out to all the individuals that served as tech crew, security, gate keepers and to the Northern Maine Fair Board of Directors who made this all possible.”
Plans are already being made for the 2008 demolition derby season.
