PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Saturday marked one of the highlights of the Northern Maine Fair with the Tuff Truck and Demolition Derby exhibits. The Tuff Truck competition was delayed by a severe thunderstorm that was followed by a power outage of more than an hour. The eight drivers and their audience were more than ready once electricity was restored.
First place in the Tuff Truck competition went to Nick McDonald from Presque Isle and he took home $500 as his cash prize. Second place went to John Rines of Caribou and he earned $200. Third place went to Tim Cote of Chapman and he went home with a cash prize of $100.
The Crowd Favorite of the Tuff Truck competition was John Rines in his Dodge Durango, flying the American and British flags from the top of his vehicle. His cash prize totaled $100.
The Demolition Derby began at approximately 6:30 p.m. and included seven heats to accommodate the 36 registered drivers.
“This is one of the biggest derbies we’ve had in a while,” commented Andrea Bard Smith, coordinator for both the Tuff Truck and Demolition Derby exhibits.
The Prettiest Pickup and Prettiest Car were voted for by the crowd. Kyle Wells of Caribou won first place for his pickup with a $100 cash prize. Kirk Gardiner of Presque Isle also won a $100 cash prize for placing first with his rig.
The derby included a heat for pickups which was a “fight to the finish.” The competition was fierce and quick mainly due to the wet conditions from the earlier storm and the agility of the trucks in the mud.
Alan Holmes of Wade, driving No. 01, took home first place and the $1,000 cash prize. Craig Hamann of Washburn, driving No. 13, took second and a $700 cash prize. Milo Haney, of Connor, drove No. 19, and placed third, earning him a $500 cash prize.
This year’s derby was particularly interesting as four first-time female drivers registered to compete. Lori Hodsdon and Melissa Ellis, both of Caribou; Stephanie Hammond, of Easton and Jessica Bussiere, of Ashland, all competed in the preliminary heats. Hammond and Bussiere both qualified to compete in the Grand Finale. All drivers who earned a spot in the final heat took home a $50 cash prize for participating.
Bussiere attended the derby last year and thought it would be fun to enter. When her vehicle wouldn’t pass inspection because of the rust she “decided to keep it for the derby.” Her goal in participating was to “make it to the final round.”
The Grand Finale competition ended the evening with a total of 10 drivers. Competitors were either smashed into the blockades, or left stranded from overheated engines. Milo Haney’s 1977 station wagon continued to wreak havoc and according to one driver, “hit like a tank.”
At the sound of the air horns it was obvious who had won and Haney celebrated by jumping on top of his red, white and blue wagon. Haney took home the first prize $1000 cash award. Tony Baker, of Ashland, won second place and the $700 cash prize. Kalob Gagnon, of Caswell and a first-time competitor, won third place and $500.
