Derby delivers a bang at Grant County Fair

MOSES LAKE — Visions of burning cars, the sound of crashing metal and the aroma of clutch smoke in the air.

Those were the sights, sounds and smells a capacity crowd experienced at the Moses Lake Roundup Demolition Derby Wednesday night.

The derby has been a part of the Moses Lake Roundup and the Grant County Fair since 1970.

The demolition derby has earned the reputation of being one of the best in the Northwest, said veteran derby announcer Dick Hemore of Othello.

Decked out in a powder-blue tuxedo, Hemore controlled the action on the track.

Hemore said the fairground arena is a great place to race because of fantastic track conditions.

“There is no better demo derby in the country,” he said. “It’s how they prepare the track. Keeping it wet and free of debris.”

Former Moses Lake Roundup president Rob Weber said more than 150 vehicles participated in the Last Car Standing Grand Finale event.

Weber said the participants entered the final event through time trials, a trophy dash, heat races and powder puff races.

After the smoked cleared the arena, Weber said the demolition derby was a success.

“An exciting night,” he said. “Unbelievable. We smashed a lot of cars.”

Despite the destructive nature of the event, there were only two minor incidents.

Demolition derby participant and rodeo queen Kylie Anne Looistra rolled her vehicle in a heat race.

Weber said she suffered a few cuts and bruises but would be back tonight to participate in the Moses Lake Roundup Rodeo.

In the final event James LeBow rolled his vehicle but said he enjoyed the derby.

“I had a lot of fun,” he said.

After destroying more than 150 vehicles, George Ottmar of Moses Lake was the last man standing.