Demolition Derby is a Family Affair

Several minutes into the 4th of July Demolition Derby, only two cars were still moving among the wreckage of eliminated competitors. The two drivers — Taylor Gearhart and Mike Waring — knew each other well.

The pair have been competing for years in the 4th of July Derby, held by the Lewis County Demolition Derby Association at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds in Chehalis. This was Gearhart’s seventh year at the Derby, and Waring’s 28th.

But the two are also familiar with each other outside the annual Derby: Taylor is Mike’s daughter.

“My dad got into it through my Grandpa, and I got into it through my dad,” Gearhart said.

When the dust and debris settled, Waring’s ‘72 Buick was the last car standing.

“I didn’t have a strategy,” said Waring, shortly after embracing his daughter. “I was just excited...I thought [Taylor] was going to kick my butt.”

For his efforts, which included working through the winter to prepare his car for the Derby, Waring took home a $1500 prize.

Gearhart, the defending Final Derby champion, didn’t leave the competition empty handed. She took home the first trophy of the day, for Prettiest Car, for a vehicle emblazoned with a Seattle Seahawks decal. Gearhart also captured the Women’s A Trophy Dash, one of many races that preceded the demolition derby.

“My first year I raced with my dad’s car,” said Gearhart, who was 15 for her first derby. “This is my sixth year racing with my own car.

“This year we pulled [the car] out of the shop probably two weeks before the Derby,” Gearhart said. “This is actually last year’s car. Won me first place in the main last year. Pulled it out, pulled a couple of fenders out, and figured we’d give it a go on the 4th.”

Of her strategy in winning the Trophy Dash, Gearhart said, “I like to start on the inside, and then try and just get in front of people and stay ahead of people.

Brian Levine, winner of the Men’s A Trophy Dash race, was competing in the Derby for the 35th year.

“I’m 50 now and I started when I was 15,” said Levine, who drove a ‘76 Chevrolet Nova in this year’s competition.

“I pulled this car out of the weeds Thursday night because my granddaughter wanted me to race,” Levine said.

Kevin Robinson, driving an ‘87 Ford Escort painted with tiger stripes, capped a successful evening with a win in the Import/Compact Derby.

Robinson said his strategy was, “to not just go all out right from the beginning. Strategize your driving. Look for good hits, well-placed hits: axles, A-arms. And go out and have fun.”

“I guess I just stole the night for the small cars,” Robinson said.

Robinson, who also won the Import/Compact Heat Race and the Import/Compact Figure 8, preferred competing in the Derby, his last event, to the races.

“It’s been awhile since I’ve been behind the wheel of a small car, but I’m thinking I like the finale a little bit more,” Robinson said.

Robinson didn’t have long to prepare for the Derby.

“I wasn’t going to bring a car,” Robinson said. “But I remembered this $100 car my buddy had. Went and picked it up at seven o’clock last night. Called it quits at seven a.m. this morning. Brought the car to the track and finished it at the track.”

Thanks in part to Robinson, it was the first time in years that the Import/Compact division was held at the Derby.

“This is our first year trial for bringing imports back,” Robinson said. “I’ve been working for four years with the guys to try to bring them back and finally did it, and I think it’s going to take off.”

Other winners on the day included Josh Middleton, who captured the Figure 8 Title, Brett Hansen, who won the Reverse race, and Chad Norton, winner of the Import/Compact Reverse.

The next Derby held by the Lewis County Demolition Derby Associated will be August 16, also at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds.