Demolition derby delivers rush, fun, destruction

COSHOCTON —Though Jett Lindell of Coshocton has a few years to go before he’s ready to smash up real cars in a demolition derby, the 5-year-old was eager to show off his skills in the power wheel class Monday evening during the demolition derby at the Coshocton County Fair.

“I did it last year. I like to do it because it’s fun,” Jett said.

His love for the sport is a family tradition, started by his grandfather Phill Lindell who takes pride in watching Jett learn how to demolition derby at such a young age, even if is with a battery-operated car made to look like a real derby car.

“He’s just a young gearhead,” said Phill, who has been anticipating the derby with his grandson all year long. “I think this will do him a world of good. It’s something he will be into for years to come. Phill’s son and Jett’s dad, Mike Lindell agreed.

“He’s been excited all month,” Mike said. “It’s nice to see the enjoyment the kids get from it.”

The power wheel class kicked off the demolition derby at the grandstand at 7 p.m., followed by the compact, youth and big car classes. This was the 17th year that Smash It Demolition Derby presented the derby at the Coshocton County Fair, said Smash It president Tim Clark of London, Ohio.

“Everybody likes to go out to the county fair, get an old car and tear it up,” Clark said. “They can do at the derby what they can’t do on the road.”

Clark anticipated about 50 cars total at Monday night’s event. All of the kids in the power wheel class received trophies, while the last three cars running in each of the other classes received trophies for first, second and third place. But winning isn’t the only objective in this motorsport, Clark said.

“I think what people like is to see cars get hit, see them roll over, and they are excited about the possibility that someone might get hurt.”

Some spectators were both excited and nervous to watch the demolition derby. Christine Gribble of Dover came out with her boyfriend, Kyle Grewell, also of Dover, and derby car number 21. “It makes me nervous, but excited, and also mad, especially when other drivers team up against him,” she said.

Grewell has been participating in demolition derbies since 2005, and has received many trophies in the motorsport. But at this derby, he was riding passenger with Andrew Bethards, 15 of Port Washington to mentor him and help “keep the sport alive,” Grewell said.

“I like the rush, it’s hard to explain. I think it’s a good hobby, it keeps you out of trouble.”

Monday night’s demolition derby was the first time Otto Polilli IV of Port Washington tried his skills at the motorsport. Twenty-one years of watching his father at derbies inspired him, along with one goal in mind: “Destruction,” he said.