Fires spin, mud flows at state demo derby

By DOUG MONSON

Journal Sports Writer

NEW ULM -- Tires spun and mud flew as nearly 500 spectators gathered to witness the first ever Minnesota State Demolition Derby at the Brown County fairgrounds. The competition, sponsored by the Brown County Agricultural Society, featured 19 cars --12 of which competed for the grand prize.

Local runner Jeremy Marquardt repeated his showing from the Brown County Fair and took home the grand prize. Marquardt, who battled with long-time friend Todd Thedens of Sleepy Eye, fought through a derby stoppage -- another car's wheel axle was wedged into the underside of his car -- to take the win.

"I didn't think I was going to make it very far," Marquadt said.

In order for a team to compete, contestants must have qualified at a Minnesota county fair over the summer, as well as follow tournament specific guidelines.

Some simple guidelines the teams must follow are such things as having the car's hood and trunk fastened down with wire or chain and painting the driver-side door white to avoid unnecessary contact to the driver.

Thedens took second in the championship, earning $750, and Gary Conrad of Amboy, took third. Conrad won $375 for the event. The big winner, however, was Marquadt. For his showing in the derby, he earned $2,000.

The top three finishers had a combined 58 years of derby experience, which became apparent when only a few cars remained.

Conrad said he was pleased with the tournament, but he said he was disappointed when his car went down.

"I'm fine with it," Conrad said. "I've won enough other ones. Anytime you're in the top three you're fine with it."

Thedens said he was happy with his performance, and was glad he was running against Marquardt near the end.

"We always said if it came to us two, we'd go head-to-head 'til someone falls," Thedens said.

Marquadt said he was happy to run against Thedens near the end.

"When it get's down to two of us, it's always fun."

Derby officials said they were pleased with the turnout considering this was the first year for the derby. Conrad said he would have liked to have seen more cars, but he was satisfied with the event.

Thedens said he too thought the event went well. He said he expecs a bigger turnout in the future, once the word gets out about the state derby.

"It wasn't bad for the first year," Thedens said. "But next year I'll bet it'll be different."

The derby featured three heats, a consolation run and the championships, which spectators refered to as the "feature." The top four cars in each heat were awarded $65, which was the amount of their entry fees.

Of the top four cars, three advanced to the finals. In heat one, Sott Ayers, Elysian, Charlie Holm, Nicollet, and Conrad qualifed; Victor Williams, Brooklyn Center, finished fourth. Heat two qualifies were Ricky Thompson, Blue Earth, Eric Miller, Maple Grove, and Marquardt. Lucas Shaefer of St. Peter placed fourth.

Rusty Cordes, New Ulm, Duane Lange, Winthrop, and Thedens rounded out heat three, with Scott Christian, Le Center, taking fourth.

Williams took the consolation championship, earning him $200. Bill Pelzel, Sleepy Eye and Jeremy Pauling, Montevideo, took second and third. Pelzel earned $150, and Pualing took home $125

In the championship bracket, Lange finished fourth and Holm finished fifth. Lange earned $200 for his finish, and Holm won $100.