Local resident makes pitch for derby contract

The Sanders County Fair Commission has received a proposal for a new demolition derby management team for the next contract cycle.  

The current derby contract with FOS Promotions, out of Bozeman, expires at the end of the year. 

November’s commission meeting in the fairgrounds pavilion building was sparsely attended by the public, seeing only County Commissioner John Holland and former Sanders County Fair Administrative Office Assistant Rachel Largent in attendance. 

The meeting was called to order with the October meeting minutes being quickly approved. No public participation comments were made.  

The first item under new business was a proposal made by local resident Rick Sanders for consideration of the demolition derby contract renewal. Sanders proposed a fee to the Fair Commission of $70,000, which included insurance coverage, social media, prize money, trophies, car inspections, arena setup and tear downs and other related expenses.  

He has been involved with the local derby for the past 40 years as a car builder and derby driver.  

“I would keep more of the money in the county. I would just assume to do it way cheaper, so the money stays here at the fair for the things that need to be fixed,” he said.  

He continued, “I would like to do it, I know he (FOS Promotions) is doing it as a business. I wouldn’t do it as a business. I would do it as a community member so the money can stay here. I believe in my community,” Sanders said. 

Not only does he drive in the derby, but his son and grandson do as well. 

Sanders, a lifelong resident of Sanders County, has a history of volunteer service throughout the county. He was a volunteer with both the Thompson Falls and Plains ambulance service, a member of the Thompson Falls Rural Fire Department as an EMT. He has also been a member of the Sanders County Reserve Deputy program and president for the Racing Association.  

Last year, the derby had three classes with close to 70 cars entered in the competition. The Sanders County derby event draws drivers from all over the northwest. 

The remainder of the new business portion of the meeting centered around the Fair Board members approval for the purchase of new accounting software called QuickBooks for the fair office computers.

   Cars smashed their way through the night as the annual Demolition Derby closed out the Sanders County Fair. (Valley Press FILE)