Smashin’ and crashin’ on a Sunday afternoon
Demolition derby returns to Sunday evening at the Great Northern Fair with a bang; and some extremely hot weather
George Ferguson Havre Daily News sports editor gferguson@havredailynews.com
It has been on a Sunday for several years. But on its return to Sunday night, the 2006 Havre Jaycee’s Demolition Derby brought the 2006 Great Northern Fair to a thunderous close. Despite searing temperatures, derby fans turned out in droves to watch some of Havre’s most skilled or brave drivers smash into each other for several hours Sunday night at the Great Northern Fair Arena. Havre native Sandy Strauser didn’t win one of the five preliminary heats on Sunday night, but he was entered into the championship heat because he was voted the fields’ Most Aggressive Driver. Then Strauser outlasted Frank English and Ken Erickson to win the 2006 derby championship. The victory in the championship heat earned Strauser $2,500. English, who finished second, earned $1,500, and Erickson was third, which was good enough for $1,000. English also won a heat during the main event, as did Dallas May, Ian Odden, Jim Brandon and Ben Mader. Pat Hulett, Matt Perszyk, Brian Berreth and Erickson all won consolation heats. In the Herby Derby, Garrett Neiffer took home first-place honors, while Jamie Berreth finished second. Overall, 26 cars participated in the 2006 derby’s main event. Nine cars were entered in the Herby Derby. Perszyk also earned $100 for the best paint job of the night, and Travis Burchard won the calcutta for bidding on Strauser’s winning car.
2006 Havre Jaycees’ Demolition Derby
Championship Heat
1. Sandy Strauser, $2,500; 2. Frank English, $1,500; 3. Ken Erickson, $1,000. Heat Winners Dallas May, Jim Brandon, Ian Odden, Ben Mader, Frank English. Consolation Winners Pat Hulett, Ken Erickson, Matt Perszyk, Brian Berreth.
Herby Derby
1. Garrett Neiffer; 2. Jamie Berreth
