MONROE — The demolition derby brought a sense of joy to one family in particular Sunday night at the Green County Fair.
Just weeks after losing a facility and semi-trucks to a fire at Flying Eagle, the Trickel family had something to smile about — Jake Trickel won the Bone Stock class in front of a packed house.
“I think my family needed that,” Trickel said. “To win helped them to relax a little bit.”
On July 6, Flying Eagle’s storage building on County FF north of Monroe caught fire. More than two dozen fire departments responded to the scene which heavily depleted the business’s semi-truck fleet. Flying Eagle is owned by the Trickel family and has been in business for more than 55 years.
“The win was for my family and friends that were there to help after the fire,” said Trickel, who noted he is unsure how exactly the business plans to move forward. “We’ll stick together and figure it out — take it day-by-day.”
Competing in the derby for the eighth time, Trickel said he understands what it takes to perform at a high level.
“I’ve been around them my whole life — my dad did it, Trickel said. “I just take my time and go over everything. I don’t overlook the little stuff.”
Trickel came away with a $1,000 cash price for taking top honors. Jason Greenburg, Pecatonica, Illinois, took second ($500) in the Bone Stock class and Tim Robinson, Monroe, was third ($250).
In the Compacts division, Kevin Pannkuk, Shannon, Illinois, was first ($1,500), Damon Widmer, Monroe, was second ($500) and Dezmond Hanenberger, Monroe, was third ($250).
Tim Sonnenberg, Sharon, won the Icon class ($500) with Brian White, Belvidere, finished second ($350) and Jeremy Gutzmer, Monroe, came in third ($150).
After wet and stormy conditions cancelled both nights of tractor pulls at the Green County Fair, patrons were ready for the roaring engines of the demolition derby to quench their thirst for burning fuel. Admission was free for the grandstand, but derby-goers could purchase a $25 pass to sit in the pits.
“It was a typical county fair derby,” said Caleb Riese, who has been a part of the demo derby for nearly two decades.
Riese said that while Sunday was a success, the trend for demolition derbies may not be as bright and cheery as it once was.
“Drawing is getting harder these days unless you have money to compete. You don’t get the ‘Crazy Cats’ or ‘Demo Dogs’ (former local demo teams) to show up anymore because they are outclassed,” Riese said. Unfortunately, it’s a dying sport.”
