Demo Derby, Tuff Trucks and fireworks end OHW with a bang

Stifling heat couldn’t keep crowds away from Woodstock’s annual festival finale

As it has for the past several decades, the Richard Sharpe Memorial Demo Derby and Tuff Truck event highlighted the final day of Old Home Week with an afternoon of the roar of engines, crashing of metal and the roar of the crowd.

The demo derby, named in honour of the late Richard Sharpe last year to recognize his many years of support for the annual event, continues to be one of Woodstock summer festival’s top draws.

With Lance Minard taking the mic as the announcer to keep the packed grandstand and AYR Motor Centre sidehill crowd informed and entertained, enthusiasm ran high throughout the hot summer afternoon.

Through Sharpe’s Auto Salvage, the Sharpe family continues to play a prominent role in the derby, supplying many of the participating vehicles and providing the equipment and staff to keep the show running on schedule. The name is also prominent among the drivers.

As in the past, the Woodstock Fire Department crew members remained on site throughout the day to quickly douse fires and provide additional safety in support of the many volunteers and safety officials.

The derby featured several heats in four categories throughout the afternoon and early evening, Rear Wheel Drive Class, Front Wheel Drive Class, MiniVan/SUV Class and Truck Class.

The Tuff Truck Competition offered a change of pace with a timed event as drivers raced their trucks over an obstacle course featuring jumps and a water hazard.

Award winners are as follows:
Rear Wheel Drive Class 1. Bradley Adams 2. Kyle Patterson 3. Jim Bradley
Front Wheel Drive Class 1. Luke Lawson 2. Keesha Ouellette 3. Azure Middleton
Minivan/SUV Class 1. Ben MacFarlane 2. Bernard Turner 3. Rodney Butler
Truck Class 1. Bradley McElroy 2. Jeffrey O’Donnell 3. Kyle Watson
Tuff Trucks Competition 1. Bobby Clark – Time 19.7 seconds 2. Brandon Fox – Time 20.3 seconds 3. Lucas Brewer – Time 23.2 seconds 4. Ryan Schultz – Time 26.1 seconds
Most Aggressive Trey Goodine
Prettiest Car Colby Goodine

Despite the several hours of carnage on the racing track infield, crews and volunteers quickly had the car parts and twisted metal cleared away in time for the Woodstock Fire Department crews to set up the fireworks to close on Old Home Week with one final blast of sound, sight, and excitement.

Hundreds of cars and people surrounded the AYR Motor Centre, area ball fields, and parking lots to watch the dazzling light show.