Combine Derby

The 2011 (24th Annual) Lind Combine Demolition Derby is over for another year. As I sit here attempting to sort through photos from a fantastic weekend and restrain myself from taking the sledgehammer to the computer (Seriously! A minute to load each new photo?) I figure I might as well start drafting a post about the Derby.

At 2 1/2 Jack thought the derby was pretty darn cool. He got to sit in Aunt Julie’s combine. He tried on her helmet. He watched the parade. Just about the only thing he didn’t do was sit still in the stands (and nap). A combination of excitement and exhaustion I suspect, plus he’s two. He walked around with Grandpa for awhile and watched a good portion of the derby from back in the pits. Fine by me. Fidgety toddler and open bleachers are a combination that make me nervous anyway. There was also some great dirt back in the pits and he’d brought along a toy bulldozer and a couple of tractors. By the end of the day he pretty much looked like Pig-pen from the Peanuts comic strip…cloud of dust and all.

Emilie, on the other hand, snoozed through just about the whole event. The only part she showed a real reaction to was the parade. The first entry was a large military vehicle with some sort of guns mounted on the front. They fired off those guns and that was it, she’d had it, and just wailed.

Julie did pretty well this year. She came in second for “best dressed combine” and was 4th out of 11 combines in the consolation round. If the Short Bus hadn’t sprung an oil leak I suspect she would have won that heat. However, for the sake of not having to replace and engine, she pulled her flag.

I put a bunch of pictures of the derby on Facebook so I’m not going to post those here. However I was encouraged to make a video (thanks mom!). There really aren’t any songs about combines out there, but I finally found a song that fit. Its called “Countrified” by Halfway to Hazard. Enjoy!

Julie on ESPN!

An ESPN clip about the Lind, Combine Derby. It aired last night on ESPN2. Watch for Kevin's sister, you can see her driving the Short Bus in several shots. (Yellow School Bus Combine & Julie is wearing a yellow helmet)Way to go Julie!!

The Combine Derby

Last Saturday was a day we have had marked on the calendar for a good long time…the 2010 Lind, WA Combine Demolition Derby. Why such anticipation? Because, Julie (Kevin’s sister) was driving a combine this year!

‘ The Gangs All Here: Frank, the Brad and Shardell Shrum (Corey’s folks) LeAnn, Kevin and Jack’

For those of you who don’t quite grasp what the Combine Demolition Derby is….well its pretty much what it sounds like. Folks in combines driving around an arena and crashing into each other in an attempt to be the last combine running.

This was my first trip to the Combine Derby…and Jack’s too. This was also Julie’s first time driving a combine in the derby. Out of 18 drivers she was the only girl.

‘Jack and Aunt Julie driving the Short Bus’

Julie’s combine was ‘The Short Bus’ it was a very popular entry if you ask me. There is even a Facebook page dedicated to it. It took first prize in the combine ‘Fashion Show.’ Oh, and if you are wondering all the T-shirts say “Want to Ride the Short Bus?” on the front and there is a picture of the combine on the back.

Julie took first place in the Rookie heat and finished seventh overall, no to bad for a first timer. She also made one of the most memorable ‘hits’ of the day by breaking the front axle clean in two on the ‘Go Cougs’ combine. It was pretty impressive.

‘Oh No Cougs!’

Took a lot of equipment to get that machine off the field afterwards. Though the ‘Go Cougs’ pit crew was able to weld it back together in time to compete in the final round (it finished second). If that doesn’t say something about the talent of those pit crews I don’t know what does! If could have use them to fix our truck…….

Sidestory: When we got home Sunday night we discovered the insides of the front tires on our truck were stripped bald because the alingnment was out of whack. Thank the Lord for small favors and we didn’t blow a tire somewhere on a lonely stretch of I-84 between Moses Lake and Twin! Also Thankfully there was no wear on the mechanical parts. Four new tires and a realignment and we’re back on the road. My checkbook is still in shock though….tires are expensive!!!!!!

Jack had a lot of fun play in the dirt and petting all the dogs that were there. He was filthy and completely thrilled about it. Not that any of us were much cleaner! We had a lot of fun rooting for Julie (who is already planning for next year) and we finally got to meet the elusive Corey….that only took a year (two thumbs way WAY up on him Julie.) I think we are planning to go back next year the rest of you should come as well, it is a blast! It’ll be one of the first weekends in June so mark your calendars.

Clockwise from left: “Julie & Corey”, “Julie & Dad”, “Jack: We can fix this, yep it’s doable!”