Lawn mower races to be incorporated into demo derby

Few events on the Big Horn County Fair schedule can match the tradition and popularity of the demolition derby.

The annual smash ‘em up has been filling the grandstands for more than a half century, eliciting oohs and aahs from spectators and creating memories that last a lifetime for drivers and their crews.

This year’s derby, the 52nd annual, is set for Sunday, Aug. 3 at 2 p.m.  It will be the final event of fair week and Catherine Foss, the fair operations manager, wants it to be a memorable one.

For the second straight year, organizers are trying new things to enhance the spectator experience.  

Last year, a moto-rodeo was incorporated into the event.

This year’s new attraction is lawn mower races, in which “costumes are optional, but highly encouraged,” according to Foss.  

The plan is for the lawn mower races to precede the derby. If there are enough entries, they’ll race between heats of the derby, when the moto-rodeo is also taking place.

“We want to keep it moving, action packed and without a lot of lulls,” said Foss, adding, “Nothing beats the sound of a good motor.”

Josh Keller is organizing the moto-rodeo.  Last year the event featured four heats.  Community members could enter either the side-by-side or ATV divisions or ride on their dirt bikes.

Jonah Cook was last year’s side-by-side and dirt bike champion.

Chris Waddell took top honors in the ATV division.

The featured attraction, though, is the derby itself.  Last year it was won by Ricky Vaught, with Chase Mead finishing second, Brad Christopherson third and Peyton Gonzalez fourth.

Blake Williams won the truck division, followed by Matt Hurley and Riley Schaffer.

The organizer of this year’s derby, Joe Maul, said he expects there to be three divisions — chain-up, truck and limited weld. Compared to past years, a greater percentage of the prize money will go to the chain-up class, he said.

The Big Horn County Commission did its part, sweetening the prize pot with its usual contribution of approximately $10,000.  

How much of that gets paid out will be dependent upon the number of entries, with Foss saying, “The more entries, the more prize money.”

When contacted last week, Foss said she was lining up sponsors to increase the size of the Mad Dog pot, which rewards the wildest and most aggressive drivers in each heat.

For more information about the derby, call the fair office.