Derbies a family tradition

For one Thompson Falls man, competing in the annual demolition derby at the Sanders County Fair is more than just trying for prize money - it's about family and friends and the passion of competing in the arena.

Yet when Rick Sanders of Thompson Falls went up against 22 other cars in his 1968 Chrysler Newport in Sunday night's chain class of heat five, he outlasted most of them to take third place. Sanders was satisfied with his finish and had a great time. "It was an awesome heat, the best in years," said the 58-year-old Sanders, adding that the competitors drove hard and it was a good hitting derby.

This was the 40th year for Sanders to participate in the Sanders County Derby, now called Carnage on the Clark Fork, and even though he didn't take home the big bucks, this one was even more special because of his longevity in the sport and that he competed with his son, A.J. Sanders, and grandson, Rhiley Sanders - three generations of the Sanders family.

The 35-year-old A.J., behind the wheel of a 1998 Crown Victoria, was shut down within 30 seconds in the first heat, having to contend with his car flooding. He came back to survive the grudge match and went against nearly a dozen vehicles in the weld class of the main event, but continued to have engine difficulties and did not place. Rhiley, competing in the fair's first youth class with a 1985 Crown Victoria, which had not been used in a derby before, went up against Thompson Falls boys Cayden Steinebach and Jacob Hall. Hall won the heat and Sanders finished in second place. But he now can't wait to get in the derby arena again. The teen said he'd been practicing on their 10-acre property for about a month.

It's never been about the money for Rick. "It's about family, friendships and the fun," said Sanders, who also wanted to run the derby and filed complaints earlier in the year on the way the derby was run last year. He plans to continue putting his name into that hat again. But being turned down from that job hasn't curtailed his passion of competing in the fair derby or other derbies.

"I've enjoyed traveling around to different shows, but Plains is my hometown show," said Rick, who builds his own derby cars as well as cars for others and said he's always willing to help others get their start in the demo derby ring, including helping his 12-year-old grandson get his vehicle ready for the fair derby. This year, he also assisted his nephew, Joe Bowden, a Missoula resident, in getting a car running for the derby.

Rick wasn't even old enough to drive when he started building derby cars in 1980, letting another person take his vehicle into the arena. "I have loved derbies since I was 10 years old. I would stand in the ticket lines for hours just so I could get tickets for the family, no prepaid tickets back then," said Rick. "It has turned into a family tradition and I love every minute of it."

Rick's first derby was 1983 and since then he has built more than 100 derby cars and has been in the winner's circle five times at the Sanders County Fair, bashing his way to top dog in 2010 and putting A.J. in second place.

A.J. took the championship at 16 years old and has taken first place at other derbies in Montana, but he used to help his father strip vehicles in preparation for derby competition. "He could strip a whole car in a day or two," said Rick. "It's been in my blood and I love doing it with my dad and I am super excited to be able to derby with my son and my dad," said A.J., who added that this year was exciting for the entire family.

The three of them had been working on their cars since April, putting an estimated 200 hours into them. Rick said the type of vehicles that could be used for demo derbies are hard to find and sometimes cost between $500 and $2,500, depending on the condition. "Sometimes you can use them more than once, but it depends on the derby and how much they get tore up," he said.

Demolition derbies haven't been just for the boys of the Sanders family. Holly, Rick's wife competed for about 10 years and won the "Powder Puff" class, designed for women only, four consecutive years starting in 1998. Their daughter, Kristina, competed in 2003, but didn't like it, said Holly.

Rhiley said that his primary reason for wanting to do a demolition derby is his father and grandfather. "I have watched my dad and grandpa for as long as I can remember," said Rhiley. "In May of this year I got the opportunity to join my dad and grandpa in Ogden, Utah, and watched one of the biggest derbies I have ever been to," said Rhiley, who noticed they had a youth class and later found out the Sanders County Fair was going to have a youth class this year. The senior Sanders said he loved sharing his love for derby competition with his son and grandson as a very special memorable time that he'll never forget, adding that it was priceless and he thanks the Lord for being able to do this with his family.