PORT ANGELES — The Clallam County Fair isn’t over until the last car gets smashed.
Demolition derby cars will go head-to-head in a metal-bending, smoky maelstrom on the final day of the four-day fair, which began Thursday and continues today, Saturday and Sunday.
This year’s derby begins at 5 p.m. Sunday.
It’s been a popular swan song to the August fair at the Clallam County Fairgrounds, 1608 W. 16th St, in Port Angeles.
“We sell out every year,” said Leslie Holmes, treasurer of the Demolition Derby.
Tickets and admission
Tickets to the derby are $11. They go on sale at 9 a.m. at the yellow gate at the west side of the fairgrounds. It typically sells out by noon.
Admission to the fair is required to get into the derby. Fair admission is $7.50 for adults, $5.50 for seniors 62 and older and students 13 to 17. Children 12 and younger get in for $4.50.
Last year’s demolition derby featured 46 cars. Pre-registrations for this year’s event are “more than double” last year, Holmes said.
Three car classes
Cars in the derby are divided into three classes — big, mini and youth. They drive around the arena smashing into each other in a series of heats.
“There’s a lot of action going on,” Holmes said.
After a 30-minute intermission, during which time the drivers try to fix their cars, the main events begin. The last car running in the main event wins the grand prize.
Ann Lembcke, Demolition Derby secretary, said registrations are up this year because the prize money has grown. The winner of the big class gets $1,200. Drivers in the mini and youth classes receive $700 and $350, respectively.
Derby organizers found a more affordable trophy maker this year and put those savings toward the prizes, Lembcke explained. The winner of last year’s big class received $1,000, for example.
Clallam County’s demolition derby is unique because of its youth class, where kids aged 10-to-15 can compete.
“Nobody else in Washington state has a youth demo for that age group,” Lembcke said.
For safety reasons, glass is removed from Demolition Derby cars.
“Basically, it’s down to the raw frame,” Holmes said.
Drivers wear helmets and buckle in tight.
After the playing of the national anthem and an appearance by fair royalty, the crowd will vote on the best looking car.
Awards for most aggressive driver and worst luck go out at the end of the night.
Organizers say the Demolition Derby is a fast-paced family event.
“Where else can you go watch a bunch of cars go crashing into each other?” Lembcke said.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
